Highways Lab

An initative designed to incubate programs to empower each other, and bridge the gaps of inequality.

Highways Lab was founded by producer Olga Segura to support visionary filmmakers from underrepresented communities in collaboration with Rideback Rise and with substantial financial support of Adobe Foundation. Through industry-driven programs that combine funding, mentorship, and strategic visibility, Highways Lab aims to accelerate the careers of emerging and established creators by helping bring bold, original stories to life. Focused on impact and innovation, the lab provides a platform where talent meets opportunity—amplifying voices that shape the future of film and television.

Current Programs

Highways Lab Program for Advanced Filmmakers

The Highways Lab Program is designed to support accomplished filmmakers whose work has made a meaningful impact in the industry. This invitation-only opportunity invites creators to submit a proposal for a short film that represents the creative vision and thematic foundation of a feature-length project they aspire to develop. Our goal is to support filmmakers in the early stages of their next project, providing them with the resources to express their larger vision through a high-quality short film.

The resulting short will serve as a strategic asset—something they can submit to film festivals, screen for audiences, and present to financiers, producers, studios, and streamers to build momentum around the feature version of the project. In this process, filmmakers will also have the opportunity to collaborate with a team, test key creative elements, and refine their approach.

A distinguished group of accomplished producers and top-level executives will review submissions and help select four finalists. Each selected filmmaker will receive a grant to produce a compelling short film that encapsulates the essence of their story.

As part of the program, finalists will be invited to attend the Sundance Film Festival, where they will participate in Adobe House activations, engage in curated networking opportunities, and meet with key industry leaders—expanding their visibility and opening doors to future collaborations.

Gloria Schoemann Program

The program honors the legacy of Gloria Schoemann, one of the most prolific editors in film history. A trailblazer of Mexico’s Golden Age of cinema, Schoemann’s influence spanned over four decades, with 238 editing credits between 1942 and 1983. Naming the program after her is a tribute to her enduring impact on storytelling and the vital role of editors in shaping cinema.

The Gloria Schoemann Program is designed to support mid-career bilingual (Spanish and English) editors in the film industry by helping them refine their craft and advance to the next stage of their careers through mentorship opportunities, industry connections, and exposure.This can be invaluable for bilingual editors who might otherwise struggle to access these networks, which are crucial for career advancement in the film industry. We plan to select 4 (four) individuals for this Editors Fellowship, each being awarded a grant as a financial support during the time of the fellowship.

The program curates a two week long masterclass course with some of the best editors and directors in the industry that will empower the fellows to not only refine their editing skills but, most importantly, elevate their ability to tell compelling stories. The program provides targeted masterclasses led by experienced Adobe professionals who will be able to help with a range of topics to help experienced fellows harness the full potential of the editing software Premier Pro. They will also offer insights into industry trends and the importance of using Premiere Pro to stay current with the most current video editing standards and techniques. Additionally, professional editors leading these master classes will provide a comprehensive understanding that goes beyond basic functionality to include best practices that enhance workflow efficiency, creativity, and output quality.

Past Programs

Adelante

(2022 - 2024)

This groundbreaking program, which I led and developed in partnership with the Sundance Institute's Women at Sundance, Netflix, and Shondaland, supported up-and-coming Latina and non-binary Latine directors, providing a grant, shadowing opportunities on TV series, and mentorship by industry leaders.

Past fellows include the talented directors Nicole Mejia, Yulene Olaizola, Barbara Cigarroa, Iliana Sosa, and Michelle Salcedo.

Proof of Concept Program

(2024 - 2025)

Incubated by The Latinx House

This program was created in partnership with the Adobe Foundation to support advanced Latine filmmakers. After many years in the backstage of the film industry, we came to the realization of the significant hurdle filmmakers face when trying to transition from a successful film festival premiere to making their next film. We believed it was fundamental for talented filmmakers to create a visible proof of concept for studios, streamers, and investors to see and understand their vision, recognize the film’s potential, and invest.

A team of five high-level producers and executives picked the top two projects and two chosen filmmakers received a grant to help develop the idea into a more elaborate proof of concept.

Past fellows include the talented Isabel Castro and Yolanda Cruz.

Gloria Schoemann Editors Fellowship

(2024 - 2025)

Incubated by The Latinx House

Named in honor of the prolific Mexican Golden Age editor Gloria Schoemann, this fellowship supported intermediate bilingual (Spanish and English) editors. We provided grants and crucial masterclasses with top industry professionals and Adobe experts.

Editors were highlighted in the press and amplified through social media platforms.

The goal was to push editors to hone their craft, build essential networks, and elevate their careers. It's about ensuring our talented editors get the exposure and connections vital for advancement in the industry.

In our first edition of the Fellowship, we're proud to have supported Alejandra Armijo, Maria Gabriela Torres, and Mario Fierro.

Fellow Footprint at Sundance Film Festival 2025

We were thrilled to discover that three of the five fellows we selected for the Adobe partnership programs had films in competition at Sundance 2025. Filmmaker Isabel Castro premiered Selena y los Dinos, which received the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Archival Storytelling. Editors Mario Fierro (Sweet Talking Guy) and María Gabriela Torres (The Librarians) also had their work featured at the festival.