Lilian T. Mehrel '17 (MFA, Kanbar Institute, Graduate Film) is the 7th winner of emerging filmmaker program Untold Stories for her film Honeyjoon. A long-term collaboration between AT&T and the Tribeca Festival, Untold Stories is an inspiring mentorship program that connects rising, historically underrepresented filmmakers to greater possibilities by empowering them with the necessary resources and support they need to bring their unique stories.
As the winner, Mehrel will receive $1 million to produce her feature film, and year-round mentorship and promotional support. Honeyjoon will premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Festival.
Honeyjoon – In this darkly comedic travel film, Kurdish-Persian mother Lela and her diaspora daughter June take a trip to the romantic Azores off the Portuguese coast, after a recent loss. Out of place amidst honeymooners in paradise, they attempt to reclaim their lust for living. But life – and each other – keeps getting in their way.