Vimeo Announces Winners of Short Film Grant Program in Partnership with Nikon and RED

Vimeo has announced the winners of its first-ever Short Film Grant Program in partnership with Nikon and RED. The program supports the next generation of filmmakers with production funds, expert mentorship, and distribution support on Vimeo. Five filmmakers have been awarded $30,000 to bring their original short film projects to life, along with access to state-of-the-art equipment from Nikon and RED.

Vimeo, Inc. (NASDAQ: VMEO), a leading video platform, has announced the winners of its inaugural Short Film Grant Program in collaboration with Nikon and RED. The initiative aims to support emerging filmmakers by providing them with production funds, mentorship, and access to cutting-edge video equipment. The program, which was officially unveiled on July 7, 2025, awarded five filmmakers $30,000 each to bring their original short film projects to life [2].

The grant winners were chosen by a distinguished jury comprising Vimeo Staff Picks alumni and industry professionals. The jury, which included David Lowery, Charlotte Wells, Sean Wang, Savanah Leaf, and cinematographer Adam Bricker, ASC, selected the winners based on originality, artistic merit, project execution, and overall impact [2].

The winners will receive one-on-one mentorship from the selection jury and Vimeo’s Curation Team, as well as access to state-of-the-art equipment from Nikon and RED. The equipment includes the new Z mount V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X cinema cameras, along with Nikon’s award-winning mirrorless cameras such as the Z9, Z8, and Z6III [2].

The selected filmmakers represent a diverse range of creative visions and storytelling approaches. The winning submissions include:
- Andrew J Rodriguez, "Spaceboi": A Bronx boy's journey to uncover the truth about his father's disappearance.
- Annie Ning, "The Only Man to Ever Exist": A man seeks forgiveness after an accident.
- Carmen Pedrero, "I remember the house was red": A woman reflects on a past affair and its consequences.
- John C. Kelley, "The Ineffable Hum": A series of vignettes exploring love, loss, addiction, and memory.
- Sofía Camargo, "La Selva": An immigrant mother and her daughters learn the value of letting something in.

Philip Moyer, CEO of Vimeo, emphasized the importance of human storytelling in an era dominated by algorithm-driven content. "In a time where algorithms shape so much of the content we’re exposed to, human-curated, intentional stories have never mattered more," he said [2].

The partnership between Vimeo, Nikon, and RED underscores a commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of filmmakers. This initiative not only provides financial support and technical resources but also offers a platform for distribution and exposure on Vimeo [2].

The Vimeo Short Film Grant Program marks a significant step for the company, which has been criticized in the past for distancing itself from independent filmmakers. By re-engaging with the filmmaking community, Vimeo is signaling a renewed focus on supporting original storytelling [1].

References:
[1] YMCinema. "Vimeo is Going Down: Reducing Workforce By 6%. A Platform That Turned Its Back on Indie Filmmakers." [URL](https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65161163/)
[2] Marketscreener. "Vimeo Announces Winners of First-Ever Short Film Grant Program in Partnership with Nikon and RED." [URL](https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/VIMEO-INC-122858437/news/Vimeo-Announces-Winners-of-First-Ever-Short-Film-Grant-Program-in-Partnership-with-Nikon-and-RED-50448243/)
[3] GlobeNewswire. "Vimeo Announces Winners of First-Ever Short Film Grant Program in Partnership with Nikon and RED." [URL](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/07/07/3111107/0/en/Vimeo-Announces-Winners-of-First-Ever-Short-Film-Grant-Program-in-Partnership-with-Nikon-and-RED.html)