Deadline: 20-Jan-23
Entries are now open for the District of Columbia Environmental Film Festival (DCEFF) Vantage Grant for Emerging BIPOC Filmmakers.
In an effort to reinforce the importance of supporting the creative and informative works of BIPOC creators, the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF) has established the DCEFF Vantage Grant to provide pitch training and funding to emerging BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) filmmakers.
The DCEFF Vantage Grant, made possible through the support of Prince Charitable Trusts, will award $12,500 to a qualifying filmmaker to assist with a short film or first feature in any stage of production that addresses a timely environmental issue. DCEFF defines "environmental" as any theme broadly related to the natural and built environment.
The Vantage Grant extends DCEFF’s commitment to expanding the storytelling pipeline, amplifying the voices, and supporting the works of BIPOC creators.
Award Details
- Eligible filmmakers and/or producers may submit a proposal to participate in a live pitch at the 31st annual Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF), culminating in a $12,500 grant provided to the winning pitch. All remaining finalists will receive $500.
- Four to Six Finalists will be offered support to attend the festival and will receive extensive pitch training and mentorship from Judith Helfand, co-creator of Chicken & Egg Pictures, filmmaker (A Healthy Baby Girl, Blue Vinyl, Cooked: Survival by Zip Code) and professor at the Columbia University School of Journalism. Judith Helfand will also emcee the pitch program. The live pitch will take place in front of a panel of industry and environmental leaders and subject experts on March 26, 2023.
Eligibility Criteria
- BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) director and/or producer
- Emerging Filmmaker (not yet made a feature-length film)
- Pitch project must be on an environmental theme (DCEFF defines "environmental" as any theme broadly related to the natural and built environment)
- Pitch projects should be in the research/development, pre-production, production, or post-production phase; this grant does not support distribution or impact
- If selected, the pitch presenter/s must be available to attend the pitch session on March 26, 2023 (and a few days preceding for pitch training)
- Travel and hospitality will be provided to the finalists; travel support from within the US only
For more information, visit FilmFreeway.