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Register for the MIF Info Session
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Image description: A laptop with blue and green text on a white background with pentagonal and circular shapes. | |
To learn more about the Moving Image Fund ahead of our August 16 deadline, join LEF staff for a virtual info session hosted via Zoom from 3:00–4:00pm ET on Monday, July 15. |
This session will include live captioning (CART). If you have other accessibility needs, please let us know as soon as possible and we will do our best to accommodate them. | |
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LEF Moving Image Fund Grantee News
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Image descriptions: In this still image from Dan Habib and Samuel Habib's film THE RIDE AHEAD, an animation of co-director Samuel smiles with sunglasses in his wheelchair, with a cityscape behind him bathed in orange and pink light. | |
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LEF-supported project THE RIDE AHEAD (dirs. Dan Habib, Samuel Habib; prods. Dan Habib, Erica Lupinacci) will be screening at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival on August 4. An expansion of the short film “My Disability Roadmap,” the film follows co-director Samuel as he itches to move out, start a career and find love all while navigating life with a disability. Last month, the film screened at a number of festivals and conferences including Sheffield DocFest and the Boston Youth leadership Forum, with more screenings to come.
LEF-supported project EL SIGNO VACÍO (the empty sign) (dir. Kathryn Ramey), a film about the ongoing U.S. occupation of Puerto Rico, received the AGANTRO Award for Anthropological Excellence at the MICE 19th International Ethnographic Film Festival in Galicia, Spain. The film is continuing its festival run.
Brenda Ávila-Hanna, a producer of LEF-supported project HOW TO CLEAN A HOUSE IN 10 EASY STEPS (dir. Carolina Gonzalez Valencia), was selected as one of ten producers taking part in the Sundance Producers Lab. The lab brings emerging fiction and nonfiction independent film producers together for networking and professional development opportunities.
HUMMINGBIRDS (dirs. Silvia Del Carmen Castaños, Estefanía Contreras), a prior LEF/CIFF Fellowship recipient, premiered on PBS's POV on July 1 and is now available to stream.
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Are you a LEF grantee or fellow with news to share about your film? | | | |
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As part of its Documentary Film in the Public Interest initiative, which aims to "inspire a documentary film practice and infrastructure that can contribute to strong societies," The Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy (part of the Harvard Kennedy School), has compiled a Documentary Distribution Literature Review.
Born from a convening organized by the Shorenstein Center’s Documentary Film in the Public Interest Initiative, Points North Institute, International Documentary Association, Doc Society, and Sub-Genre for the 2023 Camden International Film Festival, the project compiles responses to the recent independent film marketplace "bust" by support organizations, industry leaders, journalists, and filmmakers.
The Doc Distro Lit Review points to the "quickly evolving landscape through a curated collection of annotated articles, webinars, talks, and convening summaries for an audience of experts and lay people alike."
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Engagement Opportunity
Documentary Accountability Working Group (DAWG) Framework Survey (about 10 minutes)
DAWG is collecting thoughts and feedback to improve their From Reflection to Release framework and assist them in advocating for filmmakers who want to utilize the framework, but may find obstacles to implementation because of current industry standards and restrictions.
Take the survey here
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Upcoming Film Opportunities
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Image Description: Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts Logo | |
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts Capacity-Building Grants (Deadline: July 12)
The focus is a capacity-building and sustainability initiative for artists who currently live or have studio space in Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties in Massachusetts.
The program pairs a $2,500 grant with coaching, workshops, business/career building and personal financial literacy resources, and artist community-building.
Learn more
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PBS/Firelight William Greaves Production Fund & William Greaves Research and Development Fund (Deadline: July 15)
The PBS/Firelight William Greaves Production Fund resources documentary productions by mid-career filmmakers from underrepresented communities in the United States that are intended for distribution on PBS through finishing funds or co-production funding.
The William Greaves Research and Development Fund resources talented, mid-career nonfiction storytellers from racially and ethnically underrepresented communities in the United States, as well as filmmakers from Mexico, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and Colombia with a particular interest in those who identify as being Indigenous and/or of African descent.
Learn more
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Image Description: Sundance Institute Logo | |
Sundance Documentary Fund (Deadline: July 15)
The Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program (DFP) prioritizes support for independent nonfiction films with budgets under $1 million in U.S. dollars. Applicants may submit at any production phase, with grants up to $40,000 for projects in Development, and up to $100,000 for projects in Production/Post-production. All proposals must convey some vision for a finished film.
Learn more
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Iris Residency (Deadline: July 15)
The Iris Fellowship open call—providing a Studios at MASS MoCA residency from Feb. 12—24, 2025, along with access to support services from Berkshire Immigrant Center—is for artists in Western or Central Massachusetts (Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, Worcester counties) who are foreign-born, or identify as first or second generation American.
Learn more
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AXS Film Fund (Deadline: July 31)
Powered by Bertha and with the support of our many supporters and partners, AXS Lab, through AXS Film Fund, provides funding to documentary filmmakers and nonfiction new media creators of color living with disabilities. Awards are up to $10,000 each, depending on project need.
Learn more
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Climate Action Together (Deadline: July 31)
Climate Action Together is a new Impact Distribution Campaign Fund & Accelerator from Together Films, interested in films aiming to raise awareness of the climate crisis and recommended solutions to inspire public action and policy change. Two film teams who are releasing their films to public U.S. and/or U.K. audiences (via festival, theatrical, non-theatrical, digital or broadcast) between 1st Jan – 30th June 2025 will receive a £20K ($25K) cash grant.
Learn more
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Yaddo Residency (Deadline: August 1)
Yaddo is the leading nonprofit retreat for artists and writers, who come from all nations and backgrounds to live and work in a supportive community in Saratoga Springs, NY. Residencies include room, board, a studio and more, granting the opportunity to work without interruption in a supportive environment.
Learn more
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Artist Entrepreneurial Grants (Deadline: August 2)
Artist Entrepreneurial Grants recognize the importance of the creative workforce to New Hampshire’s economy. Artist Entrepreneurial Grants support opportunities that will benefit artists’ careers, including the development of business skills, participation in programs to raise the level and quality of their art, and participation in programs that will bring their art to the widest possible markets.
Learn more
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MacDowell Fellowship (Deadline: September 10)
About 300 artists in seven disciplines are awarded Fellowships each year and the sole criterion for acceptance is artistic excellence. There are no residency fees, and need-based stipends and travel reimbursement grants are available to open the residency to the broadest possible community of artists.
Learn more
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Working Films Rapid Response Mini-Grants (Deadline: Ongoing)
This funding is intended to offset the financial costs of holding screenings and can be applied to expenses such as venue rental, equipment, and marketing. Mini-Grants of up to $600 per event will help organizers focus on creating impactful experiences that inspire action and sustained engagement by audiences.
Learn more
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Indigo Arts Alliance Mentorship Residency Program (Deadline: Rolling)
The Indigo Arts Alliance studio located in Portland, Maine is the host site for the Mentorship Artists Residency program. This program brings together Black and Brown artists from diverse backgrounds of the African Diaspora to engage in their creative process, while building lasting relationships rooted in co-mentorship. Artists of all disciplines are encouraged. Currently accepting applications from the North Eastern region (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island).
Learn more
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Thanks for reading,
The LEF New England team
Lyda, Gen, & Matthew
LEF Foundation
PO Box 382066
Cambridge, MA 02238
617.492.5333
lef-foundation.org
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A private family foundation dedicated to the support of contemporary arts, LEF was established in 1985 with offices in Massachusetts and California. The Moving Image Fund was launched in 2001 through the LEF office in Cambridge, MA to support independent film and video artists. Since its inception, the Moving Image Fund has awarded nearly 500 grants to New England-based independent filmmakers with over $5 million in funding. The goal of LEF New England is to fund the work of independent documentary film and video artists in the region and to broaden recognition and support for their work locally and nationally. It also supports programs that highlight the rich history and ongoing legacy of innovation within New England's independent film community. The overarching goal of LEF New England's philanthropic investment is to help build a sustainable and strong community of support for artists and their work.
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