On May 10, Disney+ will open submissions for the second round of Launchpad, its shorts incubator for underrepresented directors. All six short films from the first round will be released on May 28.

Round two submissions should be built around the theme of “Connection.” Applications close on June 11, and the program starts in December.

Alongside a director’s track, the second round will include a writer’s program. People can apply as directors, writers or writer/directors. Submissions must include an essay, a directing sample or short film script, resume and legal agreements. More information can be found on the Launchpad website.

Launched in 2019, the first six participants (pictured) were chosen from 1,100 US applicants, who submitted ideas around the theme of “Discovery.” They were assigned executive mentors from Disney+, Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production.

The initial six shorts are American Eid directed by Aqsa Altaf, Dinner is Served by Hao Zheng, Growing Fangs by Ann Marie Pace, The Last of the Chupacabras by Jessica Mendez Siqueiros, Let’s Be Tigers by Stefanie Abel Horowitz, and The Little Prince(ss) from Moxie Peng.

The goal of Launchpad is to diversify the types of stories being told and provide filmmakers access to opportunities that they might not have had otherwise, according to a Disney+ release.