JEWISH FILM INSTITUTE COMPLETION GRANTS

The Jewish Film Institute is now accepting applications for its fourth cycle of JFI Completion grants. The Grants provide crucial funds to established and emerging filmmakers whose projects expand and evolve the Jewish story. Since 2020, JFI has distributed more than $250,000

to innovative projects of all genres and formats that have challenged stereotypes and conventions and sparked impactful conversations about Jewish life.

Early deadline for applications is February 28th. Final deadline is March 31st. Learn more here.

NEW VOICES FILMMAKER GRANT

NewFest’s New Voices Filmmaker Grant, in partnership with Netflix, supports emerging LGBTQ+ directors. The grant seeks to support the creation of work from underrepresented voices in the film industry, and will award a $25,000 grant each to 4 director recipients who have not yet had their work distributed. Fellows will also participate in events and have their work showcased at NewFest’s New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival, one of the largest queer film festivals in the world. Fellows will also have the opportunity to travel as guests of NewFest to other North American film festivals. Submissions are accepted for documentary, narrative, animated or episodic projects by and about the LGBTQ+ community.

Deadline for applications is February 28th. Learn more and apply here.

2023 SUNDANCE PRODUCERS TRACK

Applications for the 2023 Sundance Producers Track are now open. This program supports emerging independent producers with a work-in-progress feature-length film to be considered for the Producers Lab and Fellowship (yearlong program commencing July 2023) and the Producers Intensive (two-day concentrated program in Fall 2023.)

Deadline for applications is February 15th. Learn more and apply here.

POINTS NORTH FELLOWSHIP

The Points North Fellowship invites up to 6 teams of early and mid-career filmmakers to Maine to accelerate the development of their feature documentary, culminating in the public presentation of the works-in-progress at the Points North Pitch. The Fellowship will take place in person in Maine. Anticipated dates are September 11-17, followed by virtual 1:1 industry meetings from Sep. 28th - October 3rd.

Deadline to apply is March 6th. Learn more here.

PBS IGNITE MEMBERSHIP FOR DIVERSE VOICES

Applications are now open for the PBS Ignite Mentorship for Diverse Voices. It’s for early career filmmakers (producers or directors) looking to dive into the world of public media. This is a virtual 12-month initiative for up to 12 early career filmmakers from underrepresented communities.

Deadline for applications is February 20th. Learn more and apply here.

OSMOSIS FILMS: OPEN CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS 

Osmosis Films is seeking submissions from filmmakers for projects in development or the early-stages of production for consideration for development funding. Osmosis partners with selected films to assist with creative development, provides production services, and takes projects to market to secure further financing and distribution. Going Varsity in Mariachi, directed by Sam Osborn and Alejandra Vasquez, was submitted to last year’s open call. The film premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival as part of the US Documentary Competition.

Projects can be submitted here and will be reviewed upon a rolling basis.

JUSTFILMS/FORD FOUNDATION GRANTEES

The Ford Foundation has announced its overall funding for independent documentary film in 2022. JustFilms provided over $4 million to support 68 innovative film projects that are centered on social justice issues. The grantees include the below CID sponsored films:

GOING VARSITY IN MARIACHI

Director(s): Alejandra Vasquez, Sam Osborn

Producer(s): James Lawler, Luis A. Miranda, Jr., Julia Pontecorvo

HASTINGS STREET BLUES

Director(s): Juanita Anderson

Producer(s): Juanita Anderson, Marsha Battle Philpot (aka Marsha Music)

RAISED BY WOLVES

Director(s): Dana Coester

Producer(s): Joel Beeson, Dana Coester

SHADOW OF NANOOK

Director(s): Jim Compton and Peadar King

Producer(s): Pegi Vail, Melvin Estrella, Peadar King

THE BIG PAYBACK

Director(s): Erika Alexander, Whitney Dow

Producer(s): Ben Arnon, Xan Parker, Erika Alexander, Whitney Dow

WATER FOR LIFE

Director(s): Will Parrinello

Producer(s): Rick Tejada-Flores, Maria Jose Calderon & Will Parrinello

Find the full list of grantees here.

ZORA NEALE HURSTON: CLAIMING A SPACE ON AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

American Experience presents ZORA NEALE HURSTON: CLAIMING A SPACE, a new in-depth biography of the influential author whose groundbreaking anthropological work would challenge assumptions about race, gender and cultural superiority that had long defined the field in the 19th century. Directed by Tracy Heather Strain, produced by Randall MacLowry and executive produced by Cameo George, the film premiered on AMERICAN EXPERIENCE on Tuesday, January 17th and is now available to stream on PBS.org.

FIRELIGHT DOCUMENTARY LAB FELLOWS

Firelight Media has announced the newest cohort of Fellows selected to the Firelight Documentary Lab, their flagship mentoring program. The fourteen fellows include CID sponsored filmmaker Tsanavi Spoonhunter (HOLDER OF THE SKY.)

HOLDER OF THE SKY is a modern-day American story of colonization that documents three Wisconsin Tribes’ battle to reclaim the historic treaty promises made to them in the face of longstanding racism and lingering land lust.

Find the full list of fellows here.

2023 FRONTLINE/FIRELIGHT MEDIA FILMMAKER FELLOWS

CID sponsored filmmaker Débora Souza Silva (BLACK MOTHERS LOVE & RESIST) has been named as one of two 2023 recipients of the FRONTLINE/Firelight Investigative Journalism Fellowship. This fellowship was created to support independent filmmakers of color interested in journalistic documentary filmmaking, and it champions the need for more diverse voices, perspectives and experiences within that field. In its fifth year, the program will continue to include funding for the research and development of nonfiction short films that shine a light on underreported issues in the United States.

CISCO KID PREMIERE AT SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

CISCO KID, directed by Emily Kaye Allen, will have its North American Premiere at Slamdance Film Festival in January 2023. 

Filmed across unfolding seasons, Eileen–a young, solitary maverick–forges a life among the discarded remnants and lingering memories of a desert ghost town in southern Utah. A queer slice of the contemporary American West, Cisco Kid is both a portrait of a person who has walked away from mainstream society, and a place that has been left behind by a changing world.

Founded in 1995, Slamdance Film Festival is a showcase for raw and innovative filmmaking that lives and bleeds by its mantra: By Filmmakers, For Filmmakers. Slamdance has created a track record for showcasing breakthrough artists.

THE FAITHFUL INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE

THE FAITHFUL: THE KING, THE POPE, THE PRINCESS will make its International Premiere at DocPoint Helsinki (Jan 31 - Feb 5) in International Competition.

A lollipop officially licensed by the Vatican sparks filmmaker Annie Berman’s 20-year exploration of fandom, memorabilia, memory, and legacy within the orbits of three of the biggest cultural icons of our time: Pope John Paul II, Elvis Presley, and Diana, Princess of Wales.

A LIFE APART 4K RESTORATION

A LIFE APART: HASIDISM IN AMERICA, directed by Oren Rudavsky and Menachem Daum, had the world premiere of its 4k restoration on January 19th at Lincoln Center. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, this groundbreaking documentary was among the first American films to offer a full, distinctive, inside look at the traditional Eastern European Jewish communities that found their most vital enclaves in America after mass migrations post–World War II. Taking an analytical and highly informative approach to its subject, Menachem Daum and Oren Rudavsky’s film—which premiered at the New York Jewish Film Festival in January 1997—looks at the rituals, beliefs, challenges, and daily lives of Hasidic Jews in New York City. Narrated by Sarah Jessica Parker and Leonard Nimoy and featuring a score by klezmer musician and composer Yale Strom, A LIFE APART presents a plurality of voices to paint a complex and lively picture of a people who had to struggle to establish their community amid ignorance and anti-Semitism.

VOICES OF DEOLI TRAILER

Sixty years ago, 3,000 people were taken to an internment camp in a town called Deoli in Rajasthan. While some people may have heard about the border war between China and India in 1962 preceding the internment, few know about what happened to civilians of Chinese ancestry who had lived for generations in India. Directed by Lulu Men, co-produced with Joy Ma. VOICES OF DEOLI explores the stories of the survivors, their haunted memories, and their resilience. 

The filmmakers are happy to share a trailer of their early post-production efforts to support fundraising and promote the film. Join them in their journey to tell the story behind "Voices of Deoli".

DO I NEED THIS? ON AARP'S FILM FOR ADULTS SERIES

DO I NEED THIS?, directed by

Kate Schermerhorn, screened on AARP’s ‘Film for Adults’ series on January 6th. DO I NEED THIS? is a quirky and relatable award-winning documentary film about American excess, and the stuff from which happiness is truly made. The timely, humorous, and moving film delicately interweaves the filmmaker’s complicated relationship to her family possessions, together with a journey into the homes and minds of her fellow Americans - from a woman who hoards and hides it, to a Buddhist monk, and a colorful group of characters in between.  

"CAPTURING GENIUS: POETS, JAZZ AND FILM" EVENT WITH HENRY FERRINI

On March 3rd at the Lexington Depot in Lexington, MA , join filmmaker Henry Ferrini and author Lewis Porter for a discussion on topics of jazz, poetry, film and creativity with clips from Ferrini films including LOWELL BLUES: THE WORDS OF JACK KEROUAC, POLIS. IS THIS: CHARLES OLSON AND THE PERSISTENCE OF PLACE, and a sneak preview excerpt on Ferrini’s current project called PRESIDENT OF BEAUTY: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF LESTER YOUNG. Learn more and get your tickets here.