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.

2000

Firelight Media is officially incorporated as a nonprofit organization.

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.

2009

Stanley Nelson and Mabel Haddock establish the Producer’s Lab [now called the Documentary Lab].

2015

Firelight Media receives MacArthur Foundation Grant for Creative and Effective Institutions.

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.

2018

Firelight Media launches the Groundwork Regional Lab, supporting early-career filmmakers based outside of New York and Los Angeles.

2020

Firelight Media launches the William Greaves R&D Fund, its first international fund, along with the Impact Campaign Fund.

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.

2022

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Firelight Media is selected to provide $1.8M in emergency-response stipends to 36 documentary filmmakers.

2024

Marcia Smith receives a Lifetime Achievement Award from DOC NYC.

2025

Firelight Media celebrates its 25th anniversary and appoints Loira Limbal as its new President & CEO.

2025

Anniversary

Firelight Media is officially incorporated as a nonprofit organization.

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.

Stanley Nelson and Mabel Haddock establish the Producer’s Lab [now called the Documentary Lab].

Firelight Media receives MacArthur Foundation Grant for Creative and Effective Institutions.

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.

Firelight Media launches the Groundwork Regional Lab, supporting early-career filmmakers based outside of New York and Los Angeles.

Firelight Media launches the William Greaves R&D Fund, its first international fund, along with the Impact Campaign Fund.

Stanley Nelson’s Attica and Jessica Kingdon’s Documentary Lab-supported film Ascension become the first Firelight films to be nominated for Academy Awards.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Firelight Media is selected to provide $1.8M in emergency-response stipends to 36 documentary filmmakers.

Marcia Smith receives a Lifetime Achievement Award from DOC NYC.

Firelight Media celebrates its 25th anniversary and appoints Loira Limbal as its new President & CEO.

Firelight Media celebrates its 25th anniversary and appoints Loira Limbal as its new President & CEO.

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.

Our State of the Union: Documentary Industry Leaders on What Comes Next

Beyond Resilience: Black Media Legacy

WE WANT THE FUNK: Celebrating Firelight Media's 25th

Support the Next 25 Years

Discover stories highlighting Firelight’s 25-year journey—our milestones, alumni successes, and the growing movement to support inclusive storytelling.

Filmmaker Marcia Smith Tells Doc Distributors to Be ‘Courageous’

Higher Ground Boss Says Company Founders Aren’t Immune to Industry Challenges

Firelight Media Appoints Loira Limbal as President and CEO (EXCLUSIVE)