Kansas City PBS Film Fellowship
Empowering Emerging Voices Through Documentary Storytelling
The Kansas City PBS Film Fellowship is a dynamic yearlong program designed to support and elevate the voices of recent graduates and early-career filmmakers in the Kansas City region. This immersive experience blends hands-on training, professional development, access to production equipment and studio space, and invaluable networking opportunities, both within the PBS system and the local film community.
Program Overview
Kansas City PBS Nonfiction Film Fellows will receive hands-on mentorship from our award-winning production staff, gaining real-world experience in both short-form and documentary filmmaking. Participants will shadow our expert team, work within a state-of-the-art production facility and take part in monthly workshops led by industry professionals. From initial pitch to final cut, fellows will be guided through the complete production process of their own documentary project, which will premiere on Kansas City PBS next spring.
Beyond technical training, the fellowship offers invaluable networking opportunities. Fellows will connect with influential leaders in public media and the regional creative community, forging relationships that can spark future collaborations and open doors to long-term career growth.
2025-26 Nonfiction Film Fellows
.jpg)
Savana “SJ” Johnson
Savana “SJ” Johnson is an aspiring creative from Ashland, Missouri whose love for meteorology quickly turned into a desire to document processes and express herself through film and graphic design. SJ gravitates toward stories that explore the relationship between music and visuals, place underdogs at the center, and highlight the human spirit while overcoming odds. When she’s not on a film set or in the editing lab, SJ can be found playing games with her friends, both online and tabletop.
"I am overjoyed about everything that [the KCPBS] Fellowship has to offer and I'm excited to learn from and shadow the PBS team on their shoots, both in studio and out on location."—Savana "SJ" Johnson
Collin Riggins
Collin Riggins is an analog photographer and filmmaker from Kansas City, Missouri. He received a B.A. in African American Studies and Visual Arts from Princeton University. His journey in visual art started when he joined a free high school photography program at the The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, which was, importantly, made possible by Natalie Boten. That moment taught him the power of channeling one’s voice through intimate storytelling, as well as what it means to uplift stories, histories, and futures that are not always centered in mainstream conversations.
" I don't take lightly what it means to return home [to Kansas City] and sink myself into storytelling about the people and places that are absolutely foundational to who I am today. I am really honored to have the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of film production alongside an incredible team at Kansas City PBS, integrate into a collaborative environment, contribute to public media at a really pivotal time, and be proximate to home-cooked meals." —Collin Riggins