Nov 16, 2017
Artist Development
San Francisco, CA — SFFILM has announced a brand new support program designed for narrative feature filmmakers in partnership with the Westridge Foundation, adding a significant new development resource for independent storytellers from across the US. SFFILM / Westridge Grants will be awarded twice annually, with four to five $20,000–$25,000 grants given each spring and fall, with its first application period open now through February 2018. The inaugural winners of the SFFILM / Westridge Grants will be announced in May 2018.
For more information and to apply, visit sffilm.org/makers.
The SFFILM / Westridge program is designed specifically to support the screenwriting and development phases of narrative feature projects whose stories focus on the significant social issues and questions of our time. Providing support at these critical early stages protects filmmakers’ creative processes, and allows them to concentrate on properly crafting their stories and building the right strategy and infrastructure to guide them through financing and production. The SFFILM / Westridge Grant is open to US-based filmmakers whose stories take place primarily in the United States.
In addition to the cash grants, recipients will receive various benefits through SFFILM’s comprehensive and dynamic artist development program, as well as support and feedback from SFFILM and Westridge Foundation staff. All grantees will spend one week in the Bay Area attending a programmed retreat geared towards honing their craft, strengthening their scripts, and making connections to other filmmakers and industry professionals.
“We are incredibly excited to launch this remarkable new filmmaker support initiative in partnership with the Westridge Foundation,” said SFFILM Director of Artist Development, Caroline von Kühn. “Their clear vision for this program and their understanding of the real needs of independent filmmakers today make them perfect partners, and it’s thrilling to be aligned in support of artists telling important social issue stories. We can’t wait to get started finding next year’s breakthrough talent and giving them the help they need to build the proper foundations for their films.”
“The Westridge Foundation is excited to partner with SFFILM,” added Westridge Foundation Program Manager Shelby Rachleff. “We are dedicated to helping artists bring the relevant stories of our time to the screen, and are proud to help them in their first steps toward that end.”
The SFFILM / Westridge Grant is the newest initiative facilitated by SFFILM Makers, the artist development program of SFFILM. Additional programs include the SFFILM / Rainin Filmmaking Grant, the SFFILM Documentary Film Fund, the FilmHouse artist residency program, and more. For more information, visit sffilm.org/makers.
Westridge Foundation
The Westridge Foundation seeks to support individuals, organizations, institutions, and programs dedicated to promoting community and/or national social good. For more information, visit westridgefoundation.org.
SFFILM Makers
SFFILM Makers (formerly “Filmmaker360”), the organization’s artist development program, provides significant financial and creative resources to independent filmmakers through grants, fellowships, residencies, fiscal sponsorship, and more. Since 2009, nearly $5 million has been disbursed to more than 150 film projects in various stages of production. Highlights include the SFFILM / Rainin Filmmaking Grant; a joint effort with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to cultivate stories rooted in science and technology; and the Documentary Film Fund, a partnership with the Jenerosity Foundation. For more information, visit sffilm.org/makers.
SFFILM
SFFILM is a nonprofit organization with a mission to champion the world’s finest films and filmmakers through programs anchored in and inspired by the spirit and values of the San Francisco Bay Area. Presenter of the San Francisco International Film Festival, SFFILM is a year-round organization delivering screenings and events to more than 100,000 film lovers and media education programs to more than 10,000 students and teachers annually. In addition to its public programs, SFFILM 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.
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