|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE · NOVEMBER 5, 2013
| |
| SAN FRANCISCO FILM SOCIETY ANNOUNCES
EXPANSION OF DOCUMENTARY FILM FUND
|
|
|
Prestigious Grant Program with Proven Track Record Extended Beyond Original Three-Year Trial Stage; Next Application Period Opens November 6
San Francisco, CA -- The San Francisco Film Society today announced that the SFFS Documentary Film Fund, which supports feature-length documentaries in postproduction, has been expanded beyond its initial three-year trial period due to its clear record of success. Since 2011, SFFS has distributed $100,000 annually in grants designed to advance new work by documentary filmmakers nationwide, seeking to champion singular nonfiction work that is distinguished by compelling stories, intriguing characters and an innovative visual approach.
The next application period for the Documentary Film Fund opens November 6; the early deadline for submissions is November 26 with a final deadline on December 6. Winners will be announced in spring 2014. For more information and to apply, visit sffs.org/Filmmaker360/Grants.
For the 2014 grant cycle, stewardship of the Documentary Film Fund has generously been taken up by Jennifer Battat and her foundation, the Jenerosity Foundation. The DFF was inaugurated and enjoyed support during its first three years due to the forward-thinking patronage of Sharon and Larry Malcolmson. Additional funders are being sought to expand the grant program even further.
"We are extremely fortunate to have donors as generous as Jennifer Battat, who clearly recognizes the value of the Documentary Film Fund and believe in the Film Society's work in supporting groundbreaking nonfiction cinema," said Michele Turnure-Salleo, director of Filmmaker360. "Non-profit film financing -- through which we have seen a growing number of essential films come to life over the last five years -- depends on exactly this kind of intelligent, progressive philanthropy. We couldn't do the work we do supporting our most important filmmakers without the help of patrons like these."
The SFFS Documentary Film Fund has an excellent track record for championing compelling films that have gone on to earn great acclaim. Previous DFF winners include Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson's American Promise, which premiered at Sundance, won the festival's Special Jury Prize in the documentary category and opens in theaters this week; Shaul Schwarz's Narco Cultura, which also premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival; and Zachary Heinzerling's Cutie and the Boxer, which won Sundance's Directing Award for documentary, has played at film festivals worldwide and was distributed theatrically this summer by Radius-TWC.
As with all Film Society grants, in addition to the cash awards, recipients gain access to numerous benefits through Filmmaker360, the Film Society's comprehensive and dynamic filmmaker services program. Filmmaker360 is a leader in the field of non-profit support of cinema and offers unparalleled assistance and opportunities designed to foster creativity and further the careers of independent filmmakers nationwide. Filmmaker360 oversees one of the largest film grant programs in the country, which disperses nearly $1 million annually to incubate and support innovative and exceptional films at every stage of production. Other elements of Filmmaker360 include project development consultation, FilmHouse Residencies, Off the Page screenwriting workshops, fiscal sponsorship and information resources.
Other recent Filmmaker360 success stories include Short Term 12, Destin Cretton's sophomore feature which won both the Narrative Grand Jury Award and Audience Award at South by Southwest 2013; Ryan Coogler's debut feature Fruitvale Station, which won the Un Certain Regard Avenir Prize at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award in the narrative category at Sundance 2013, and is an Oscar hopeful in multiple categories; and Beasts of the Southern Wild, Benh Zeitlin's debut phenomenon which won Sundance's Grand Jury Prize and Cannes' Camera d'Or in 2012, and earned four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. For information visit sffs.org/filmmaker360.
| |
|
San Francisco Film Society
Building on a legacy of more than 50 years of bringing the best in world cinema to the Bay Area, the San Francisco Film Society is a national leader in exhibition, education and filmmaker services. These three core areas of programmatic activity are led by Director of Programming Rachel Rosen, Director of Education Joanne Parsont and Director of Filmmaker360 Michele Turnure-Salleo.
The Film Society presents more than 100 days of exhibition each year, reaching a total audience of more than 100,000 people. Its acclaimed education program introduces international, independent and documentary cinema and media literacy to more than 10,000 teachers and students. Through Filmmaker360, the Film Society's filmmaker services program, essential creative and business services, professional development classes, and funding totaling millions of dollars are provided to deserving filmmakers of all levels.
The Film Society seeks to elevate all aspects of film culture, offering a wide range of activities that engage emotions, inspire action, change perceptions and advance knowledge. A 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, it is largely donor and member supported. Patronage and membership provides discounted prices, access to grants and residencies, private events and a wealth of other benefits.
###
|
| | |
| |
|
