Academy names 'Shayda' director Noora Niasari a Gold Fellowship recipient
Sundance award winner Noora Niasari and U.S. filmmaker Tatti Ribeiro receive the 2026 Academy Gold Fellowship for Women, a year of mentorship and networking.
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Video: YouTube · Sony Pictures Classics · youtube.com
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Oct. 13 named the recipients of the 2026 Academy Gold Fellowship for Women: U.S.-based Tatti Ribeiro and Noora Niasari, who was born in Tehran and raised in Australia. The one-year program, presented by the Academy with CHANEL, offers emerging women filmmakers support, personalized mentorship and networking. Two fellowships are awarded each year, one to a U.S.-based filmmaker and one to a filmmaker based outside the U.S.
Niasari's debut 'Shayda' won the Audience Award in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, was acquired by Sony Pictures Classics and was Australia's international feature submission for the 96th Oscars. Ribeiro, a journalist and graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, won the Someone to Watch Award at the 2026 Independent Spirit Awards for her feature 'Valentina,' which also took the Austin Film Festival Audience Award (2025) and the Dallas International Film Festival Grand Jury Prize (2026).
The two were chosen from 10 finalists, including Maura Delpero, Rena Effendi, Suzannah Mirghani and Zamo Mkhwanazi. "Elevating the next generation of filmmakers worldwide is a priority for the Academy," said Kim Taylor-Coleman, president of the Academy Foundation board. Both fellows also join the Academy Gold Alumni Network. The 99th Oscars will be presented on March 14, 2027.