25
TH
Anniversary
25 Years of changing the story
This year marks a powerful milestone in Firelight Media’s journey—25 years of championing documentary filmmakers of color and telling stories that illuminate, inspire, and ignite change.
We invite you to celebrate with us as we honor our legacy and look forward to the future.
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2000
Firelight Media is officially incorporated as a nonprofit organization.
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2003
Firelight Media launches an impact campaign for The Murder of Emmett Till, directed by Stanley Nelson and written by Marcia Smith, leading to the U.S. Department of Justice reopening the case.
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2009
Stanley Nelson and Mabel Haddock establish the Producer’s Lab [now called the Documentary Lab].
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2015
Firelight Media receives MacArthur Foundation Grant for Creative and Effective Institutions.
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2016
Following the release of Deborah Esquenazi’s Documentary Lab-supported film Southwest of Salem, the "San Antonio Four" are exonerated of all charges, with the film cited in the court's opinion.
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2018
Firelight Media launches the Groundwork Regional Lab, supporting early-career filmmakers based outside of New York and Los Angeles.
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2020
Firelight Media launches the William Greaves R&D Fund, its first international fund, along with the Impact Campaign Fund.
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2021
Stanley Nelson’s Attica and Jessica Kingdon’s Documentary Lab-supported film Ascension become the first Firelight films to be nominated for Academy Awards.
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2022
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Firelight Media is selected to provide $1.8M in emergency-response stipends to 36 documentary filmmakers.
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2024
Marcia Smith receives a Lifetime Achievement Award from DOC NYC.
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2025
Firelight Media celebrates its 25th anniversary and appoints Loira Limbal as its new President & CEO.
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2025
Firelight Media celebrates its 25th anniversary and appoints Loira Limbal as its new President & CEO.
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Anniversary Events
Join us for a series of special events across the late summer and fall, spotlighting the filmmakers, stories, and communities that have shaped our first 25 years.
Scroll through upcoming anniversary gatherings, screenings, and conversations below.
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Support the Next 25 Years
Your support fuels the next generation of nonfiction storytellers.
Help us reach our anniversary fundraising goal and continue building a more just, representative media landscape.
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In the News
Discover stories highlighting Firelight’s 25-year journey—our milestones, alumni successes, and the growing movement to support inclusive storytelling.
Explore anniversary coverage and reflections from our community.
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