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Building on a Solid Foundation
Real Screen - November 1, 2000
[NOTE: The following information was collected in fall 2000. Since
then some contacts, guidelines and deadlines may have changed. For
instance, the Soros Documentary Fund has become the Sundance Documentary
Fund. No attempt has been made to update this information.]
by Thom Powers and Shebana Coelho
After approaching broadcasters, distributors, creditors, and every
friend and family member within calling distance, doc-makers are
left with few funding options - or so they might think. In truth,
foundations and funds offer an additional layer of financial support.
RealScreen offers a select list of public and private organizations
ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION
701 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Phone: 410-547-6600
Fax: 410-547-6624
E-mail joy@aecf.org
Web: www.aecf.org
Contact: Joy Moore, communications department
Guidelines: Focuses on initiatives that have significant potential
to demonstrate innovative policy, the delivery of services, and
community supports for children and families. Tends to favor production
and dissemination phases.
Residency: International (project content must be U.S.-based)
Funding Range: US$50,000-plus per project
Deadlines: None. Submit letter (three pages maximum) outlining proposal,
project goals, population served, amount of funds requested, and
a brief history of the organization.
Past Projects: Have funded ten documentaries in the past five years
including Hoop Dreams, Steve James; and This Far By Faith, Mieko
Ouchi.
ARTHUR VINING DAVIS FOUNDATIONS
111 Riverside Ave., Suite 130, Jacksonville, Florida 32202-4921
Phone: 904-359-0670
Fax: 904-359-0675
E-mail: arthurvining@msn.com
Web: www.jvm.com/davis/
Contact: Jonathan Howe, executive director
Guidelines: Prefer history, science and kids' programming with educational
value. Emphasis on finishing funds for major educational series
assured of airing nationally on PBS. Consideration also given to
outstanding stand-alone programs.
Residency: United States
Funding Range: 15% of grants are typically devoted to public TV;
of these funds, the largest percentage is for docs. Recent production
grants have ranged from US$100,000 to $500,000.
Deadlines: None. Initial approach should be via letter with project
description and budget.
Past Projects: Adventures from the Book of Virtues, KCET (L.A.)
CREATIVE CAPITAL
65 Bleecker Street, 7th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10012
Phone: 212-598-9900
Fax: 212-598-4934
E-mail: info@creative-capital.org
Web: www.creative-capital.org
Contact: Esther Robinson, program director, media and arts
Guidelines: Supports artists who take innovative approaches to form
and/or content in the visual, performing and media arts. Will work
closely with its funded artists to provide audience development,
marketing and other forms of assistance tailored to individual projects.
In return, artists share a portion of their proceeds with Creative
Capital.
Residency: United States
Funding Range: US$5,000 to $20,000 per project
Deadlines: Bi-annual (next grant deadline in 2002; applications
available at the end of August)
Past Projects: Star Eaters, Peggy Ahwesh
EAST LONDON PRODUCTION FUND
LONDON FILM AND VIDEO DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
114 Whitfield Street, London W1P 5EF
Phone: 44-207-383-7755
Fax: 44-207-383-7745
E-mail: lfvda@lfvda.demon.co.uk
Web: www.lfvda.demon.co.uk
Contact: Jill Henderson or Rebecca Maguire
Guidelines: One of several regional offices in the U.K. geared to
supporting projects in economically deprived areas. On April 1,
2001, the Film Council will begin acting as a coordinating body
for these funds.
Residency: Filmmaker must establish an office and spend a percentage
of money in the region where funds are designated.
Funding Range: £1,000 to £80,000 (us$1,500 to $118,000)
- maximum 25% of total budget
Deadlines: To be announced in April 2001.
Past Projects: Brother Deado, Ken Fero
EASTMAN FUND, LUCIUS AND EVA
5926 Fiddletown Place, San Jose, California 95120, or 48 Lakeshore
Drive, Westwood, Massachusetts 02090
Phone: CA: 408-268-2083; MA: 781-326-7922
Fax: CA: 408-268-2083
E-mail: leastman@best.com
Web: In development
Contact: CA: Lucius R. Eastman; MA: Jennifer Eastman
Guidelines: Mainly provides completion funds for a variety of documentary
and narrative projects. No specific criteria for selection. Rarely
provides development funds.
Residency: International
Funding Range: US$2,500 to $5,000 per project; awarded $152,900
in 1999 to 46 projects in total, including 26 docs
Deadlines: Three times per year: January, May and September
Past Projects: Long Night's Journey Into Day, Frances Reid and Deborah
Hoffmann; Like A Mother Bear, Lynn Feinerman
EURIMAGES
Council of Europe, France 67075 Strasbourg, Cedex
Phone: 33-3-88-41-26-40
Fax: 33-3-88-41-27-60
E-mail: eurimages@coe.nt
Web: http://culture.coe.fr/Eurimages
Contact: Mireille Paulus, executive secretary
Guidelines: A copro fund offering interest-free, conditionally repayable
loans for feature films and creative docs. Projects must be a minimum
length of 70 minutes and have at least two coproducers from different
member states of the fund.
Residency: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey
Funding Range: Amounts vary.
Deadlines: 2001 deadlines to be posted.
Past Projects: Nuages, Marion Hansel
FILM COUNCIL (U.K.)
10 Little Portland Street, London W1W 7JG
Phone: 44-207-861-7932
Fax: 44-207-861-7862
E-mail: info@filmcouncil.org.uk
Web: www.filmcouncil.org.uk
Contact: Jenny Borgars, head of Development Fund; Paul Trijbits,
head of New Cinema Fund
Guidelines: A new organization channeling public money for film
production. The Development Fund and New Cinema Fund are best sources
for doc-makers. Projects intended for theatrical distribution are
preferred.
Residency: Accepts proposals from U.K. and other states of the E.U.;
encourages copros with international partners.
Funding Range: Each fund has an annual budget of £5 million
(US$7.4 million). Council offers 15-50% of a film's budget.
Deadlines: Accepts applications year-round.
Past Projects: None (fund began April 1, 2000)
FORD FOUNDATION
320 East 43rd Street, New York, N.Y. 10017
Phone: 212-573-5000
Fax: 212-351-3677
Web: www.fordfound.org
Contact: Barron M. Tenny, secretary
Guidelines: Global foundation with arms in N.Y., Africa, Asia, Latin
America and Russia. Docs are normally funded through the media division.
Residency: International
Funding Range: US$25,000 to $1 million. Funds distributed multi-year.
In 1999, total program activities were $578 million.
Deadlines: None. A letter of inquiry is advisable.
Past Projects: I'll Make Me a World, Sheila Curran Bernard
HERBERT BALS FUND
International Film Festival Rotterdam, P.O. Box 21696, 3001 AR,
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Phone: 31-108-909-090
Fax: 31-108-909-091
E-mail: hbf@filmfestivalrotterdam.com
Web: www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com
Contact: Marianne Bhalotra
Guidelines: A fund for filmmakers from developing countries for
creative and feature docs. Grants to be spent in one of the developing
countries. Full length only; must have theatrical potential; minimum
60-65 minutes.
Residency: Filmmaker must be based in a developing country.
Funding Range: Three categories: development, US$9,000; post-production,
$26,000; distribution, $13,000. Offers a total of $850,000 annually,
with individual grants of up to $50,000.
Deadlines: March 1 and September 1
Past Projects: Crane World, Pablo Trapero
ITVS
51 Federal Street, Suite 100, San Francisco, California 94107
Phone: 415-356-8383
Fax: 415-356-8391
E-mail: Beky_Hayes@itvs.org
Web: www.itvs.org
Contact: Beky Hayes, programming & development coordinator
Guidelines: Endorses programs that take creative risks and represent
points of view not usually seen on commercial or public television.
Residency: United States citizen or legal resident
Funding Range: Up to US$250,000 per project.
Deadlines: Open call - February 15 and August 15, 2001 (applications
available in December for February deadline)
Past Projects: Sing Faster: A Stagehand's Ring Cycle, John Else
JAN VRIJMAN FUND
Jan Vrijman Fund/IDFA, Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 10, 1017 RR Amsterdam,
The Netherlands
Phone: 31-206-273-329
Fax: 31-206-385-388
E-mail: info@idfa.nl
Web: www.idfa.nl
Contact: Noor Zwinkels, coordinator
Guidelines: An initiative of the International Documentary Film
Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), the fund aims to stimulate productions
at all stages - development, production, completion, distribution
and promotion - of creative documentaries from developing countries.
Submissions must be in English.
Residency: Filmmaker must be based in a developing country.
Funding Range: Development, US$4,000; production & post, $15,000;
distribution $7,000; workshops & festivals, $15,000 - 25 projects/year
for a total of $221,000
Deadlines: Bi-annual (Feb 1, 2001 and June 1, 2001)
Past Projects: Borderland, Carl Biorsmark; Down Rockey Street, Khubu
Meth; A Day Under the Sun, Vlado Zrnic
JOHN D. and CATHERINE T. MACARTHUR FOUNDATION Office of Grants Management
140 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603
Phone: 312-726-8000
Fax: 312-920-6258
E-mail: 4answers@macfound.org
Web: www.macfound.org
Contact: Alyce Myatt, media division
Guidelines: The general program offers grants for innovative media
projects, especially those that increase the diversity of voices
and viewpoints in film, television and radio. The foundation welcomes
proposals that encourage community outreach and supports all phases,
but tends to favor
production. Does not support political activities, or attempts to
influence action or specific legislation. No narrative dramas or
personal documentaries.
Residency: Open to applicants of all nationalities, but the
project must have a good chance for broadcast in the U.S.
Funding Range: US$25,000 to $200,000-plus per project (approximately
$5.5 million awarded in media grants last year)
Deadlines: No fixed deadlines. Decisions made throughout the year.
Send letter of inquiry (three pages maximum) plus project summary
via mail or e-mail apply@macfound.org.
Past Projects: Well-Founded Fear, Shari Robertson and Michael Camerini;
Local News, Calvin Scaggs and David van Taylor; The Fights in the
Fields, Rick Tejada-Flores and Ray Telles
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION
420 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018
Phone: 212-869-8500
Fax: 212-852-8438
E-mail: creativity@rockfound.org
Web: www.rockfound.org
Contact: Joan Shigekawa, associate director, creativity & culture
Guidelines: Supports independent media artists in the U.S. and Mexico
through film/video/multimedia fellowships, awarded by nomination
and administered by National Video Resources. Emphasis on work "exploring
the conflicts, connections, and commonalties of diverse communities."
Residency: International
Funding Range: US$20,000-plus. In 1999, funding for film, video
and multimedia was $1 million.
Deadlines: None. No unsolicited proposals. Send a brief letter of
inquiry describing project and its purpose.
Past Projects: Tierra Sagrada en Zona de Conflicto (Sacred Land
in a Conflict Zone), Carlos Martinez Suarez
JOHN SIMON GUGGENHEIM MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
90 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016
Phone: 212-687-4470
Fax: 212-697-3248
E-mail: fellowships@gf.org
Web: www.gf.org
Contact: Peter Kardon, program director
Guidelines: Provides fellowships for advanced professionals in all
fields except performing arts. Fellows are selected on the basis
of two separate competitions, one for the United States and Canada,
the other for Latin America and the Caribbean. All applicants are
expected to be advanced professionals in mid-career. Have awarded
several grants to documentary and narrative filmmakers. Only individuals
are eligible.
Residency: Must be a citizen or legal resident of the area where
the competition is held.
Funding Range: US$30,000 on average
Deadlines: Once per year. United States and Canadian competition:
October 1 (postmarked). Latin American and Caribbean competition:
December 1. Application forms available by mail in July or on the
website.
Past fellowship recipients: Arthur Dong, L.A.-based producer and
director; Jennie Livingston, N.Y.-based writer, director, producer
LATINO PUBLIC BROADCASTING
6777 Hollywood Blvd., Ste. 500, Los Angeles, California 90028
Phone: 323-466-7110
Fax: 323-466-7521
E-mail: mdermer@picosito.com
Web: www.cpb.org/tv/diversity/partners/mconsortia/lpb
Contact: Marlene Dermer, executive director
Guidelines: Promotes participation of Latino producers, directors,
writers and on-air talent in public TV programs. Solicits films
through an annual open call.
Residency: Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
Funding Range: US$10,000 to $50,000 for development; $50,000 to
$100,000 for production and completion. Yearly budget for grants
is approximately $634,000.
Deadlines: Open call - June 2, 2001 (guidelines mailed out in December/January)
Past Projects: Every Child is Born a Poet, Ashley James
NATIONAL BLACK PROGRAMMING CONSORTIUM
4802 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
Phone: 412-622-6443
Fax: 412-622-1331
E-mail: nbpcinfo@blackstarcom.org
Web: www.blackstarcom.org
Contact: Mable Haddock, executive director; Shirley Bowen, program
coordinator
Guidelines: Devoted to the preservation, production, distribution
and promotion of diverse films and videos about African-Americans
and African diaspora experiences. The Program Development Fund awards
grants to films in all phases: research, script development, pre-production,
production, post-production, community outreach and audience development.
Residency: Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
Funding Range: US$1,000 to $50,000 (Has provided more than $5 million
in grants to both independent and station-based producers since
1979.)
Deadlines: For 2000, in-office open solicitation - November 30,
2000
Past Projects: Two Towns of Jasper, Marco Williams and Whitney Dow
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Suite 726, Washington, D.C. 20506
Phone: 202-682-5452
Fax: 202-682-5721
E-mail: smith@arts.endow.gov
Web: www.arts.gov
Contact: Mary Smith, media arts specialist
Guidelines: Supports the development, production, and national distribution
of radio and TV programs on the arts. Priority is given to programs
with the potential to reach a significant national audience. Projects
may include high profile multi-part TV and radio series, single
docs, performance programs, or arts segments for use within an existing
series. Programs may deal with any art form (e.g., music/dance/literature).
Residency: Must be a U.S. non-profit with tax exempt status (or
have a fiscal sponsor with the above qualifications).
Funding Range: US$20,000 to $175,000
Deadlines: March 2001
Past Projects: My Generation, Barbara Kopple
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES
Division of Public Programs, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Room
426, Washington D.C. 20506
Phone: 202-606-8267
Fax: 202-606-8557
E-mail: publicpgms@neh.gov
Web: www.neh.gov
Contact: Pamela Elder or Virginia Field, division of public programs
(Media)
Guidelines: NEH is an independent grant-making agency of the U.S.
government, dedicated to enriching American cultural life by promoting
knowledge of human history, thought and culture. Priorities include
subjects of national significance, projects geared to diversified
audiences, collaboration with other cultural organizations and the
use of multiple formats or interactive media technology. Grants
are offered for projects at various stages: planning, scripting,
implementation and production.
Residency: Must be a U.S. non-profit with tax exempt status (or
have a fiscal sponsor with the above qualifications).
Funding Range: Varies depending on stage: up to US$30,000 for planning;
$60,000 for scripting; $200,000 to $800,000 for production. In 1999,
NEH funded 19 documentaries totalling $5.4 million.
Deadlines: planning grants - November 1, 2000; planning, scripting
and production - February 1, 2001
Past Projects: The Murder of Dr. Parkman, Eric Strange and Melissa
Banta; Alfred Stieglitz and the Making of Modern America, Susan
Lacy
NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR JEWISH CULTURE
330 Seventh Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, N.Y. 10001
Phone: 212-629-0500
Fax: 212-629-0508
E-mail: grants@jewishculture.org
Web: www.jewishculture.org
Contact: Kim Bistrong
Guidelines: The fund for Jewish Documentary Filmmaking supports
original docs that promote Jewish history, culture, identity and
contemporary issues.
Residency: U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Funding Range: US$20,000 to $50,000 per project. Funds four to six
projects per year.
Deadlines: Early April (applications available in January)
Past Projects: Arguing the World, Joe Dorman; Mayor of the West
Side, Judd Ehrlich; The Papp Project, Karen Thorsen and Tracie Holder;
Divan, Pearl Gluck
NATIVE AMERICAN PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS
1800 North 33rd St., P.O. Box 83111, Lincoln, Nebraska 68501
Phone: 402-472-3522
Fax: 402-472-8675
E-mail: native@unl.edu
Web: www.nativetelecom.org
Contact: Carol Cornsilk, director, programming & production
Guidelines: NAPT seeks to increase awareness of cultural diversity
of Native people. Annual open call funds through production licensing
agreements, which give NAPT first option to distribute programs
to PBS and/or educational outlets. Funds all phases. No experimental,
industrial or student projects.
Residency: Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
Funding Range: Development: US$10,000 to $20,000 per project. Production/completion:
$50,000 to $100,000 per project. Typically funds up to ten projects
per year, totalling $636,000.
Deadlines: September, 2001
Past Projects: Andy Payne Story, Dan Bigbee
NORDIC FILM AND TV FUND
Skovveien 2, 0257 Oslo, Norway
Phone: 47-23-283-939
Fax: 47-22-561-223
E-mail: nftf@nftf.net
Web: None
Contact: Kristin Ulseth, project consultant
Guidelines: Provides production funds for docs and fiction. Producers
must already have national or TV funding before applying. The number
of documentaries varies each year: 12 were supported in 1998, and
24 in 1999.
Residency: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden
Funding Range: 100,000 to 500,000 Kroners (US$12,000 to $60,000)
per project - 4% to 25% of the budget
Deadlines: Applications accepted all year.
Past Projects: The Cinderella from Tallin, Pirjo Honkasalo
PACIFIC ISLANDERS IN COMMUNICATIONS
1221 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite #6A-4, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
Phone: 808-591-0059
Fax: 808-591-1114
E-mail: amoriyasu@piccom.org
Web: www.piccom.org
Contact: Annie Moriyasu, programming director, media fund
Guidelines: Interested in programs produced by and about the indigenous
peoples of the Pacific, particularly those aimed at national public
broadcast. Majority of projects tend to be docs solicited through
PIC Media Fund, an annual, national open call with a spring deadline.
Funds all stages except distribution.
Residency: Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
Funding Range: Up to US$15,000 for research and development; up
to $50,000 for production and post-production. (In 1999, awarded
$441,000 to 14 projects, the majority of which were docs.)
Deadlines: August 3, 2001
Past Projects: Where I Put My Feet, That's Hawaii, Michael Glass
and James Culp
PAUL ROBESON FUND FOR INDEPENDENT MEDIA
Funding Exchange, 666 Broadway, Suite 500, New York, N.Y. 10012
Phone: 212-529-5300
Fax: 212-982-9272
E-mail: fexexc@aol.com
Web: www.fex.org/robeson
Contact: Ms. Trinh Duong, program officer
Guidelines: Provides pre-production and distribution funds for projects
by organizations and individual artists. Topics of interest include:
aids and other health issues, racial and gender justice, reproductive
rights, homelessness and welfare reform. Women, gays and lesbians,
disabled persons, artists from communities of color and people with
little recourse to other funding sources are particularly encouraged
to apply (video submissions must be NTSC format).
Residency: International, but projects must have relevance to the
U.S. population. Funding Range: US$3,000 to $6,000 on average, to
a maximum of $15,000. In 1998, $161,500 was awarded to documentaries.
Deadlines: Applications are due annually on May 15. Awards are announced
in late August or early September.
Past Projects: Family Name, Macky Alston
PLAYBOY FOUNDATION
680 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60611
Phone: 312-751-8000
Fax: 312-751-2818
E-mail: giving@playboy.com
Web: www.playboy.com/corporate
Contact: Cleo Wilson, executive director
Guidelines: Since 1978, the Foundation has awarded grants to documentary
film and video projects that identify injustice and advocate social
change. No religious programs, individual needs, capital campaigns,
endowments, scholarships or fellowships, nor social services. Grants
are limited to the post phase.
Residency: United States
Funding Range: US$1,000 to $2,000 per project
Deadlines: Applications welcome year-round.
Past Projects: Grist for the Mill, Other Pictures
ROY W. DEAN GRANT
107 Suffock, Studio 517, New York, N.Y. 10003, or From The Heart
Productions, 1455 Mandalay Beach Rd., Mandalay Shores, California
93035
Phone: NY: 212-982-5008; CA: 805-984-1768
E-mail: caroleedean@worldnet.att.net
Web: www.sftweb.com/grant.html or www.fromtheheartproductions.com
Contact: NY: Drew Figueroa; CA: Carole Lee
Guidelines: Seeks projects that will inspire, archive, or make a
social commentary. New projects or works in progress, any length,
with budgets under US$300,000 are acceptable. Student filmmakers,
indie producers and prodcos are eligible. Offers N.Y., L.A. and
Chicago grants. Projects must be completed within two years of the
grant.
Residency: International
Funding Range: Contributes US$35,000 to $40,000 in kind per project
- including film and video stock, equipment rental and post services.
Four grants per year. In 1999, 64% of funding went to documentaries.
Deadlines: NY: January 28, 2001; CA: June 30, 2001
Past Projects: In My Corner, Ricki Stern and Ann Sundberg; American
Chain Gang, Xachery Irving; Salvaged Lives, Barbara Leibovitz
SOROS DOCUMENTARY FUND
Open Society Institute, 400 West 59th St., New York, N.Y. 10019
Phone: 212-548-0657
Fax: 212-548-4647
E-mail: dweyermann@sorosny.org
Web: www.soros.org/sdf
Contact: Diane Weyermann, program director
Guidelines: Provides seed, production and distribution funds for
international documentary films and videos on significant issues
in human rights, freedom of expression, social justice, and civil
liberties. Only contemporary-issues projects. No historical projects,
biographies or series.
Residency: International (Applicants must have creative and budgetary
control over the proposed documentary.)
Funding Range: Production: US$25,000 to $50,000; Seed: $10,000 to
$15,000. Has provided around $1.5 million each year since 1996.
Deadlines: No formal deadlines. Board meets four times/year.
Past Projects: Photographer, Dariusz Jablonski
WALLACE ALEXANDER GERBODE FOUNDATION
470 Columbus Ave., Suite 209, San Francisco, California 94133
Phone: 415-391-0911
Fax: 415-391-4587
E-mail: maildesk@gerbode.org
Web: fdncenter.org/grantmaker/gerbode
Contact: Thomas C. Layton, president
Guidelines: Supports projects proposed by U.S. non-profit organizations.
Funds around five docs per year, typically in pre-production or
early production phases. Primary focus is on the San Francisco area
and Hawaii, on issues of public interest.
Residency: Must be a U.S. non-profit organization.
Funding Range: Varies. In 1997, docs won US$4,700 to $25,000.
Deadlines: None. Submit letter of inquiry with short description
of the project, addressed to Thomas C. Layton. The board meets four
times annually.
Past Projects: The Nation Within, Tom Koffman
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