LOS ANGELES, CA – February11, 2026 — The AGBO Foundation and the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) proudly announce that applications will open on February 18, 2026, for the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum (RBIAFF) 2026 Fellowship. The annual initiative invites filmmakers to develop original short films exploring the Italian American experience through culture, language, history, land, and identity.
— APPLY HERE ON FEBRUARY 18 TO RBIAFF 2026 —
As part of RBIAFF’s broader mission to honor Italian American excellence in entertainment, AGBO has also recognized established leaders whose work has shaped the industry and elevated Italian American storytelling. Last year, AGBO presented Stanley Tucci with the Renaissance Award, celebrating his extraordinary career as an actor, writer, and advocate for Italian culture. In 2024, the award was presented to Louis D’Esposito, Co-President of Marvel Studios, as its most recent recipient.
For the fellowship, applicants must submit a three-minute sizzle reel that communicates their creative vision for a short film rooted in Italian American storytelling. From the applications, five filmmakers will be selected to receive $10,000 production grants to create a short film based on their submitted sizzle reels over the course of several months.
One filmmaker will ultimately be awarded the top prize, selected by a judging committee composed of the AGBO creative team and ISDA leadership, including AGBO Co-Founders and Partners Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, AGBO Chief Creative Officer Angela Russo-Otstot, and ISDA National President Basil Russo. The winner will receive an additional $10,000 grant and admission into the AGBO Storytellers Collective.
The AGBO Storytellers Collective is an alumni network supporting filmmakers recognized through AGBO’s fellowships and competitions. The Collective offers mentorship, industry guidance, and opportunities for collaboration, empowering artists to grow their careers and realize ambitious creative goals.
In the 8th Annual Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum, “St. Joseph,” directed by Maky Rupert, was awarded the top prize for 2025. Rupert’s film follows a group of estranged cousins who return to their now-empty childhood home in search of a statue of St. Joseph their Italian grandmother buried in the yard decades earlier for good luck. Through this deeply personal and nostalgic journey, the film explores grief, adulthood, and the enduring power of family and cultural tradition.
Since its inception in 2017, the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum has supported emerging voices in cinema by awarding over $450,000 in grants to more than 55 filmmakers, celebrating Italian American heritage through authentic, compelling storytelling.
Submissions for the RBIAFF 2025 Fellowship open on February 18, 2026, and close on March 18, 2026.
ABOUT AGBO
Founded in 2017 by Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO is an artist-led independent studio shaping the future of film and television. The Russo Brothers and AGBO have generated more than $7 billion at the global box office, including Avengers: Endgame. The studio’s projects include Academy Award–winning Everything Everywhere All at Once, Netflix hits The Gray Man and Extraction, and Prime Video’s global Citadel franchise. CitadelSeason 2 premieres in May 2026, while The Bluff debuts on Prime Video February 25, 2026.
AGBO is currently in production with Netflix on Tygo and Mercenary, both part of the Extraction universe, as well as with Lionsgate on John Rambo, a prequel to the iconic franchise. The studio is in post-production on The Whisper Man, starring Robert De Niro, and Avengers: Doomsday, which will be released December 18, 2026. AGBO will begin shooting Avengers: Secret Wars later this year. Both upcoming Avengers films are directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and co-produced by AGBO and Marvel Studios.
ABOUT AGBO FOUNDATION
The AGBO Foundation is a philanthropic initiative founded by Anthony and Joe Russo, the visionary creators behind AGBO. Committed to harnessing the transformative power of storytelling, media, and the arts, the foundation strives to inspire meaningful change in our world. By fostering creativity, advancing education, and supporting communities in need, the AGBO Foundation seeks to provide opportunities for everyone to be part of a larger narrative. Collaborating with diverse partners, the foundation champions the value of cultural preservation, empowerment, and social progress. Through a blend of creative endeavors and strategic initiatives, the AGBO Foundation envisions a future where the convergence of art and empathy drives lasting impact on a global scale.
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