The MacArthur Foundation has announced the eight documentary film projects that will be awarded grants totaling $1.23 million. The Foundation had issued a call for documentary film proposals in June and about 400 proposals were received in response to this call. After a detailed internal review process, the foundation selected the eight projects for grants.
The MacArthur Foundation has a 30-year history of supporting independently produced film and video. The MacArthur Foundation supports creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. In addition to the MacArthur Fellows, the Foundation works to defend human rights, advance global conservation and security, make cities better places, and understand how technology is changing children and society.
The Foundation funded five film and radio documentary projects earlier in the year, bringing MacArthur’s total commitment to independently-produced film and radio projects for 2011 to more than $2 million.
“MacArthur’s support for documentary film and radio projects is an integral part of our broader efforts to make information and news about important domestic and international social issues widely available to U.S. audiences,” said MacArthur Vice President for Media, Culture, and Special Initiatives Elspeth Revere.
The projects that were selected for the grants include:
The Arizona Project, a documentary film exploring the immigration debate sparked in 2010 by Arizona’s controversial immigration law, by Carlos Sandoval and Catherine Tambini. Camino Bluff Productions ($200,000).
Easy Like Water, a documentary film about an innovative approach to education and climate change in Bangladesh, by Glenn Baker. Potomac Media Works ($160,000).
Electoral Dysfunction, a documentary film examining the system of voting and voting rights in the U.S., by Bennett Singer, Leslie D. Farrell, and David Deschamps. Center for Independent Documentary, Inc. ($175,000).
I Learn America, a documentary film about immigrant integration from the perspective and experience of five immigrant high school students and their teachers, by Jean-Michel Dissard and Gitte Peng. I Learn America LLC ($125,000).
Oil & Water, a documentary film exploring the contamination of Ecuador’s Amazon region and efforts to protect the area and its people, by Francine Strickwerda and Laurel Spellman Smith. Stir It Up Productions LLC ($80,000).
Seeking Refuge, a documentary film about torture survivors and the professionals who help them heal and start new lives, by Tina DiFeliciantonio and Jane Wagner. Naked Eye Productions ($140,000).
The Supreme Price, a documentary film about the pro-democracy movement in Nigeria and efforts to increase the participation of women in leadership roles, by Joanna Lipper. Vertumnus Productions, Inc. ($200,000).
Untitled Egyptian Project, a documentary film about a young Egyptian journalist and her experiences as change takes place in Egypt in early 2011, by Mai Iskander. Iskander Films, Inc. ($150,000).
The next call for documentary film proposals will open on November 1, 2011 and close on December 2, 2011.
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