Mar 4, 2025
Artist Development
San Francisco, CA–March 4, 2025 – Today, SFFILM announced a new annual filmmaking grant in partnership with film finance and production company Cedar Road (DÌDI, THE LAST YEAR OF DARKNESS, THE ACCIDENTAL GETAWAY DRIVER). Through a $160,000 partnership, the SFFILM Cedar Road Iyagi Grant program will be a key addition to SFFILM’s Artist Development Narrative Film Fund, which currently provides over $500,000 in direct artist grants a year. Launching in 2025 and continuing through 2028, this new grant is dedicated to discovering and nurturing stories that capture the depth, nuance, and complexity of Asian and Asian American characters and experiences on screen.
“SFFILM is very proud to partner with Cedar Road at this crucial time of investment and growth for film,” said Anne Lai, SFFILM’s Executive Director. “The most exciting work and freshest voices emerge from independent filmmaking which requires access to resources, and this is something that Cedar Road recognizes and champions. The SFFILM Cedar Road Iyagi Grant will provide critical funding and access to tailored support necessary to get films made and in front of audiences.”
“Cedar Road’s mission to produce stories, not stereotypes, is expressed through the SFFILM Cedar Road Iyagi Grant,” said Jennifer J. Pritzker, film producer and founder of Cedar Road. “In Korean, iyagi means “story”—a word that embodies the heart of this grant’s mission: to champion storytelling as a powerful bridge connecting people across cultures and perspectives. We can’t wait to help these filmmakers realize their dreams to get their films made.”
ABOUT THE GRANT
The SFFILM Cedar Road Iyagi Grant is dedicated to fostering bold, original feature film projects that amplify Asian and Asian American perspectives on screen. The grant focuses on developing narratives that go beyond stereotypes—prioritizing compelling themes, unexpected genres, and fresh artistic visions. By supporting these diverse stories on screen, the SFFILM Cedar Road Iyagi Grant helps to enrich the cinematic landscape, ensuring that stories from these communities are not only told but also authentically represented.
Applications are open at sffilm.org/cedar-road-iyagi-grant. The early deadline is May 16, 2025, and fees are $30.
ACCESSIBILITY
SFFILM is committed to providing accessible experiences at all events whether in-person or online. For more information about accessibility at specific venues or programs, please visit sffilm.org/accessibility or contact ada@sffilm.org.
ABOUT CEDAR ROAD
Cedar Road, founded by Jennifer J. Pritzker in 2021, is committed to empowering Asian voices in film while telling universal stories. The company’s mission highlights the importance of diverse storytelling, ensuring that underrepresented voices are heard and celebrated. Their projects have been distributed by Focus Features, Utopia, MUBI, Sony Worldwide, and Hulu. Notable credits include DÌDI, which won the Audience Award at Sundance 2024 and earned four Independent Spirit Award nominations, and THE LAST YEAR OF DARKNESS, which premiered at CPH:DOX. The company also produced THE ACCIDENTAL GETAWAY DRIVER, winner of the Sundance Directing Prize, and the Independent Spirit Award-nominated PATRICE: THE MOVIE, now streaming on Hulu. Cedar Road recently wrapped production on LUCKY LU, starring Chang Chen as well as JOSEPHINE, starring Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan.
SFFILM
SFFILM is a nonprofit organization whose mission ensures independent voices in film are welcomed, heard, and given the resources to thrive. SFFILM inspires and connects audiences, students and teachers, and filmmakers through film exhibition, youth education, and artist development programs. Annual public film programs presented by SFFILM include the San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM Festival) which is the longest running film festival in the Americas, Doc Stories documentary series, special events with the best and brightest in contemporary film, and family programming. SFFILM Education serves more than 15,000 students and educators with learning opportunities designed to cultivate media literacy, global citizenship, and a lifelong love of movies. SFFILM Makers supports the careers of independent filmmakers from the Bay Area and beyond with grants, residencies, and other creative development services.
For more information visit sffilm.org
This press release is available online at sffilm.org/press/releases
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