PRESS RELEASE: It's a Wrap! Congratulations to the Class of 2025 Talent Incubator Fellows

Batoul Mourad, Christopher Ryan Laughter, Alle Hsu, Terri Lee Chandler, Carter Stewart; Middle row: Tiffany Judkins, Joyce Liu-Countryman, David Au; Third row: Caity FitzGerald, Tiauna Miller, Julia Morizawa, Tarina Pouncy, Tamika Lamison/Photo Credits: Ailina Dohn, Bianca Catbagan, Jeff Rawk, Sharif Hamza, Tiffany Judkins, Andrew Ge, Mark Neal, Joanna DeGeneres, Tashawna Danielle, Peter Konerko, Laura Burke Photography, Alisa Banks Photography

LOS ANGELES, CA (September 5, 2025) – Thirteen emerging and mid-career creatives have successfully completed the Plenty of Pie Talent Incubator. Founded by three-time Emmy award-winning producer Sasheen R. Artis, the Plenty of Pie Talent Incubator is a FREE twelve week producer training program that offers twice weekly virtual masterclasses, one-on-one mentoring with industry professionals, in-person networking opportunities and field trips, and teaches pitching, packaging, film finance, budgeting, scheduling, ethically incorporating AI in the production workflow, agency representation, film distribution and movie theater exhibition headlined by some of the top producers and executives in the industry. Based in Los Angeles, California, Plenty of Pie provides the knowledge, access and resources to get projects made and into the marketplace.

This year’s speakers included Black Panther Executive Producer Nate Moore, two time Emmy award winning Producer Matt Johnson,  Entertainment Studios EVP Bob Boden, Production Finance Executive Jason Gondek, Ramo Law Attorney Cailin Grantham & Creative Executive Nicole McLendon, First Media Senior Vice President Carrie Dole, Daytime Emmy award nominated Writer Jazmen Darnell Brown, Producer & Distributor Alexandre Coscas, FilmHub Acquisitions Executive Kelvin Abraham, Ethos Pictures Founder & “Almost Popular” Producer Grace Santos, script consultant & Founder of the Professional Pen Shannan E. Johnson, an agent from United Talent Agency, independent film producers, and movie theater executives.

“Despite the headlines of doom and gloom, I am excited for the future of our industry” said Artis. “From a coming-of-age drama set during the Atlanta Child murders to a 2D animated pygmy mouse exploring the desert of Southern Africa to a magical realist exploration on how we handle grief, this year’s feature films are fresh stories that ready to captivate new audiences and bring folks back into movie theaters. Moreover, we have amazing TV projects that open windows onto other worlds at home and abroad."

Upon completion of the Incubator, each project is then considered for the Plenty of Pie Production Accelerator which helps them secure distribution and financing. "This year’s class delivered commercially viable projects at realistic budgets and worked hard to build a supportive community" said Artis. "Additionally, our Mentors and Guest speakers were all generous with their time and expertise. A perfect recipe for success!”

Plenty of Pie is fiscally sponsored by Voices for African American Students a 501 (c) 3 organization.

Incubator Applications for the 2026 class opens in March.