Mo' Money for Socially Conscious Docs: Sundance Partners with Cinereach

A bit of hoopla over the past day or so as the Sundance Institute announced a new documentary initiative that will funnel 1.5 million dollars toward documentary filmmakers - at least those "with themes that evoke global cultural exchange and social impact".  News of the 3-year "Cinereach Project at Sundance Institute" comes as many are watching to see where the Sundance Film Festival will trend with new leadership (John Cooper was named festival director earlier this year) - whether it will balance its somewhat competing interests between bleeding heart docs and high profile, salable films or whether it will tilt towards the activist leanings that define the activities of the Institute.

A bright spot for those of us hoping for more than just the usual left-leaning content - Cinereach has made a point of supporting films with an artistic bent, recently giving money to Donal Mosher and Michael Palmieri's stunning OCTOBER COUNTRY, a film that examines an under-represented slice of American life without being didactic. 

The film fund will supplement the existing Sundance Documentary Feature Film and Documentary Film Program, which means that only films that have already received the Sundance seal of approval will be eligble for the discretionary fund.

Press release excerpt after the break.

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Sundance Institute and Cinereach announced today a $1.5 million three-year grant to form “The Cinereach Project at Sundance Institute.”  The program, underwritten by Cinereach, will support a unique and flexible resource pool for documentary and feature film projects with themes that evoke global cultural exchange and social impact. At the end of the three-year period, the grant will have supported a minimum of 12 films from a new generation of socially conscious artists.

 

The Cinereach Project at Sundance Institute will consist of a discretionary fund that can be used towards projects that are participating in Sundance Institute’s existing Feature Film Program and Documentary Film Program,  and are in need of emergency support.  As a result, Sundance program directors will be more equipped to bridge gaps at critical stages of its Fellows’ projects.

 

Additionally, the project will establish a special Fellowship for emerging directors committed to global cultural exchange and social impact. The Fellowship, for both documentary and fiction filmmakers, will provide the Fellows access to the multitude of Sundance Institute resources, as well as special funding and support from Cinereach.  Fellows will be chosen from existing Sundance Institute Lab Projects as well as projects specifically recruited by both organizations.

 

"For nearly thirty years, Sundance Institute has been discovering and developing emerging independent artists. This long record of nurturing diverse and authentic stories that foster empathy and understanding dovetails directly with the Cinereach mission," said Philipp Engelhorn, Cinereach Founder and Executive Director. "We are pleased to join forces with Sundance Institute to help sustain this important and unparalleled work."

 

Cinereach supports and produces artful films that depict underrepresented perspectives, cross cultural boundaries and promote dialogue through three focus areas, Grants & Awards, The Reach Film Fellowship and Productions.

 

"We have long admired the work of Philipp and his team and commend them for their vision and dedication to promoting storytelling and awareness," said Jill Miller, Managing Director, Sundance Institute. "Their long-term commitment comes at a crucial moment as the current global financial crisis threatens to constrict film artists' possibilities of connecting to audiences."

Comments

[Reva Goldberg]

Hi AJ,

Thanks so much for the mention of our new collaboration with Sundance. A few slight corrections to your comments: the press release does mention that the fund will support both documentary and narrative films, not just docs. While it will support projects already in the Sundance labs, the press release also reads that "projects specifically recruited by both organizations" will also receive support.

Please email us with any questions and thanks again for spreading the word.

Best,
Reva Goldberg
Cinereach

[Mike Ambs]

Thanks for the heads on this program - I'm going to have apply for the next round of funding *fingers crossed*