Sloan Film Prizes: 10 Finalists Vie for $20K & Mentorship

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has announced the ten finalists for its 2025 Sloan Student Prizes, a nationwide film program recognizing screenplays that weave science and technology themes into compelling narratives. These finalists, representing universities across the country, will vie for the Grand Jury Prize and the Discovery Prize.

Each of the two award categories offers a $20,000 cash prize and sustained mentorship from a scientist and a film industry professional. This guidance aims to help the finalists refine their screenplays, preparing them for potential production. Notable mentors for this year include filmmakers Jon K. Jones and Shawn Snyder, and writer Drew Burnett Gregory.

The selected works span feature films and scripted series. This initiative underscores the foundation's commitment to fostering stories that explore the intricate relationship between science, technology, and humanity, providing a crucial platform for emerging storytellers in the cinematic landscape.