Yale in Hollywood will present the seventh annual Yale in Hollywood Fest, its global virtual film festival, from December 3–5, 2026. The three-day celebration will showcase a dynamic slate of feature films and shorts from emerging and established Yale filmmakers worldwide. This year’s selections will be judged by a distinguished alumni jury led by Head Juror and newly appointed festival programmer Emma McAteer, alongside acclaimed filmmakers and past Yale in Hollywood Fest winners Chris Angel and Nathaniel Dolquist.
This year, boutique global streaming platform Asian American Movies (AAM.tv) will sponsor two US$1,000 cash prizes—Outstanding Narrative and Outstanding Documentary—to be awarded to the winning filmmakers.
“Now in its seventh year, Yale in Hollywood Fest remains a proudly volunteer-run festival dedicated to championing Yale-affiliated filmmakers and showcasing their work to audiences around the world,” said Festival Co-Director Melissa Dawn Johnson. “We’re especially thrilled to welcome Asian American Movies (AAM.tv) as a sponsor this year, offering two $1,000 cash prizes to our winning filmmakers. Even more exciting, this year’s festival programming—along with our awards shows from the past six years—will be available on AAM.tv, giving audiences a new destination to discover and celebrate Yale filmmaking.”
“Having had a film in the festival last year, it’s especially meaningful to return this year as Head Juror and programmer. The festival creates a wonderful opportunity for current students and alumni to connect, share their work and discover what others across the Yale community are creating. I’m excited to see this year’s submissions and to help champion the filmmakers behind them,” said programmer and 2026 Head Juror Emma McAteer.
Yale in Hollywood Fest showcases features and short films that include at least one Yale student, alumnus, or current staff member in the starring, producing, writing, or directing chair. All events, including screenings and live streams, will be available directly from Yale in Hollywood Fest’s official website.
Submissions open on Sep 15 on Filmfreeway.com, and the submission deadline is October 28, 2026. To submit or for more information, please visit: http://www.yihfest.com.
The alumnae jury of Yale in Hollywood Fest 2026 includes:
The Head Juror is Emma McAteer, an Irish-born film producer based in Los Angeles and founder of Lána Glas Productions, a production company focused on human-centered storytelling. A Yale University graduate with a degree in Economics and Film, she began her career at Sony Pictures Entertainment in Worldwide Theatrical Marketing Finance before transitioning into independent film production. Her work spans feature films, short films, commercials and music videos, including the award-winning short Not For a Few Miles. She is currently producing several feature films, including Redhawk and Escaping Paradise, while developing original projects that balance commercial appeal with distinctive, meaningful storytelling for global audiences.
Christopher Angel is a Yale University graduate and alumnus of USC’s film production program. A Student Academy Award winner for Mr. October, he also received an Emmy nomination for his editing work with director James Cameron. Angel has directed five features, including two installments of the Wishmaster horror franchise and the award-winning satire This Is Not a Test, starring Hill Harper, Robinne Lee, and Tom Arnold. He has adapted works by acclaimed authors Thomas Keneally and Peter Stansky for the screen. His documentary SoCal Snowy Owl, currently airing on PBS, won an award at Yale in Hollywood Fest in 2025.
Nathaniel Dolquist is a Los Angeles–based actor, producer, and Yale alumnus (ES ’14+1) working across film, television, theater, and digital media. A Theater Studies major and former Whiffenpoof, he is drawn to ambitious, character-driven storytelling that pairs heightened worlds with emotionally grounded performances. At the 2025 Yale in Hollywood Fest, Dolquist received the Best Performance Award for The Ice King’s Heart. His experience as a performer, producer, creative entrepreneur, and educator gives him a multifaceted perspective on filmmaking, from performance and story development to production and audience engagement. He is delighted to return to the festival as a juror.
Founded and led by Kevin Winston, Yale in Hollywood is a volunteer-run organization based in Los Angeles that connects Yale students and alumni with the entertainment industry. Melissa Dawn Johnson and Quentin Lee serve as the festival co-directors for Yale in Hollywood Fest 2026. This year, Emma McAteer has joined Yale in Hollywood Fest as programmer.
Yale in Hollywood Fest encourages diverse, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ submissions.
All events of Yale in Hollywood Fest 2026 are available free to the world via its official website.
