Projects from Jordan, Armenia, Chile, Uganda and Palestine are among grantees of the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund.
Sundance Institute has announced this year’s grantees for the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund. A total of $1,396,500 in unrestricted grant support has been provided to 35 projects in various stages, including five in development, 15 in production, 10 in post-production, and five actively pursuing audience engagement and social impact campaigns.
Grants are made possible by the Open Society Foundations, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Gucci, the Kendeda Fund, and Luminate.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Documentary Film Programme (DFP). This granting cycle’s recipients have roots in 31 countries, with 57% of submissions coming from outside the United States. Among the 14 US films granted this year, all are helmed by at least one BIPOC director and/or lead producer; two of these projects are directed by Indigenous filmmakers. Internationally, the Documentary Film Programme prioritises supporting artists living and working in countries that lack an adequate infrastructure of support for independent film and/or regions where freedom of expression may be at risk. The 21 international projects supported by the fund in this cycle fully reflect such commitment.
In this round, Gucci has joined forces with the Sundance Institute to create the Sundance Institute | Gucci Fund. The fund supports artists from around the world in the development, production, and post-production of work that looks at the world in complex, creative, beautiful, and provocative ways, and seeks to uplift underrepresented voices.
The DFP prioritises supporting and empowering historically marginalised voices and providing a platform for integral stories to be amplified.
Carrie Lozano, Director of the Sundance Institute’s Documentary Film Programme, said: “As we celebrate the DFP’s 20th anniversary, it’s an exceptional achievement that Sundance has been able to provide documentary filmmakers robust and sustained financial support, from development through post-production, for two decades. Thanks to our incredible funders, supporters, staff, and external reviewers, the Documentary Fund has been able to realize its top priorities during a tumultuous time: supporting underrepresented stories, directors and producers; providing much-needed resources to urgent international projects; and elevating human rights and social, civic and environmental justice, all while foregrounding bold and artistic approaches. I am constantly amazed by the breadth and depth of our grantees.”
Paola Mottura, Documentary Film Fund Director, added: “The critical work supported by this year’s round of funding truly encapsulates the spirit of the Documentary Film Programme for its 20th anniversary. With growing opposition to human rights and freedom of speech worldwide, it is imperative now more than ever that we continue to provide resources to independent artists at all stages of their career, uplifting marginalised narratives and perspectives from development to impact. Our grantees are telling culturally significant stories that will help shift global narratives and effect real change, and it is a privilege to bring these independent stories into the fabric of the Sundance community.”
