April LEF New England News

April 2020

LEF New England News

Congratulations to Jennifer Redfearn and Tim Metzger, whose LEF-funded film APART is an official selection of the 2020 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival! The festival was originally scheduled to take place from April 2-5 in downtown Durham, North Carolina before it was cancelled due to COVID-19. Follow the festival in the coming months for more developments about their programming.

Congratulations to past LEF grantees Chico Colvard and Eric Gottesman , who were both awarded 2020 Guggenheim Fellowships! See the full list here.

On April 21 at 8 PM EST, the broadcast edition of the LEF-funded film DAWNLAND, directed by Adam Mazo and Ben Pender-Cudlip, will be presented in a live online screening following the world premiere of the team's related short film DEAR GEORGINA. Following the films, join the live online Q&A with filmmaker Adam Mazo, producer Tracy Rector (Choctaw/Seminole), senior adviser Christopher Newell (Passamaquoddy), and Upstander Project learning director Mishy Lesser, moderated by Claudia Fox Tree (Arawak/Yurumein). Learn more and register here.

The LEF-funded film, WHERE THE PAVEMENT ENDS, produced by Jane Gillooly, Aparna Agrawal, and Khary S. Jones will have its broadcast premiere on May 5, 2020 on PBS World Channel's America ReFramed. This artful exploration of the historical context of injustice in Ferguson, Missouri depicts a micro-history of race relations in America. Watch the trailer here

LEF Pre-Production and Early Development Deadlines

The LEF Moving Image Fund is now accepting applications for our annual $5,000 Pre-production grant opportunity in addition to a NEW $2,500 Early Development grant opportunity, both with a deadline of June 5, 2020 at 11:59pm (midnight). Up to 6 grants will be awarded to projects in each of these two funding phases.

LEF grants are open to New England-based filmmakers seeking funding for feature-length (40+ minute) non-fiction film projects. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to read the LEF New England Moving Image Fund guidelines and frequently asked questions to determine if your project is eligible and a good fit for LEF's funding priorities before beginning an application.

Learn more below, and please contact Gen Carmel at gen@lef-foundation.org if you have any questions about your project's eligibility or the application process.

Visit the LEF website for more information | Begin an application

The DocYard

The DocYard's screening of CRESTONE has gone online!

CRESTONE will be available to stream from April 24 - April 27. On Monday, April 27 at 8PM, a virtual Q&A will be held between director Marnie Ellen Hertzler and DocYard Spring 2020 Guest Curator Abby Sun. The link to the Q&A will be sent out via e-mail. All revenue from virtual sales will go to the Brattle Theatre, longtime venue partner of the DocYard.

Learn More about the Film + Virtual Q&A

New England Filmmaker Support During COVID-19

This is a select list of New England filmmaker/artist support opportunities and local online film resources that have been organized in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. LEF New England will continue to research and compile this list in the coming months, with a focus on how the pandemic is affecting New England-based filmmakers and organizations. Let us know if you're aware of other resources that are not listed here!

Relief/Funding/Loan Opportunities

The Boston Artist Relief Fund will award grants of $500 and $1,000 to individual artists who live in Boston whose creative practices and incomes are being adversely impacted by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Boston Artist Relief Fund will be open on a rolling basis and will replace the Opportunity Fund through June 30, 2020. The Opportunity Fund will reopen for applications after July 1. Opportunity Fund applications that were already received in this application cycle will still be considered for funding. Boston, MA

Next Tuesday April 21st at 11:30 AM, The Boston Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture will be holding a Zoom Individual Artists Resource Update. During this meeting Julia Ryan, Artist Resource Manager for the City of Boston, will be discussing the Boston Artist Relief Fund and other Relief Funds artists can apply to. Luke Blackadar from the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts will also be on the call to explain their Unemployment resources and what to expect in terms of Unemployment. Additionally, artist Paloma Valenzuela will speak about her experience during this time. There will be time at the end of the meeting to ask questions regarding Relief Funds, Unemployment and any other questions you may have. Please click here for the Zoom link to join the meeting. Boston, MA

The Cambridge Community Foundation's Artist Relief Fund is offering COVID-19 relief grants to individual artists and arts organizations in the City of Cambridge, MA

Creative Portland has created the Portland Artist Relief Fund for artists in Portland, Maine. They will be accepting applications from March 30 to April 30 for a one-time grant of $500 for local artists affected by COVID-19. Portland, ME

The Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) launched two relief funds as part of their Creative County Initiative (CCI). The Essex County Artist Fund aims to support the legions of individuals who are experiencing an unprecedented loss of income in the creative industries. The Essex County Creative Nonprofit Resiliency Grant Program aims to provide direct support to cultural organizations and venues across Essex County so they can stay afloat, pay staff, and support their communities during this crisis. Essex County, MA

Mass Cultural Council relief fund for "individual artists + teaching artists/humanists/scientists" has an application deadline of April 22. Grants of up to $1000 are available for those who've lost income directly related to their art work or art/humanities/science teach work. Massachusetts

The Mass Cultural Council Safe Harbor Program is the MCC's COVID-19 relief effort for cultural non-profits. Massachusetts

The Connecticut Artist Relief Fund is coming soon, with support from the New England Foundation for the Arts. Connecticut

The Maine Artist Relief Fund will award grants to individual artists who live in Maine and whose creative practices and incomes are being adversely impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19). Maine

Relief funding details for New Hampshire-based artists is expected to be posted soon on the state arts council's website, after NEFA announced it would be providing individual artist relief funding to each of the New England state arts councils. New Hampshire

The Rhode Island Artist Relief Fund was launched to help Rhode Island artists who have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rhode Island

The Vermont Rapid Response Artist Relief Grant provides grants to artists who have lost income due to the loss of a job or cancellation of a specific, scheduled gig or opportunity (e.g., commissions, performances, contracts, workshops, classes, etc.) because of COVID-19. Vermont

NewEnglandFilm.com has created a list of COVID emergency funds for New England-based filmmakers and artists. It includes relief funds by within each New England state as well as several funds on the national level. New England

AmDoc COVID-19 Emergency Fund is open to Documentary Directors/Producers anywhere in the United States. National

For any alums of the Tribeca Film Institute, they have set up an Emergency Fund. National

The Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency fund will provide short-term, immediate financial assistance for any artist or arts administrator who self-identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). National

CERF+ will provide emergency relief grants for any artist infected by COVID-19 that required intensive medical care. National

Artist Relief is awarding $5,000 grants to artists facing dire economic hardship due to COVID-19. National

New York Foundation for the Arts has created a list of relief funds and grants across the country for artists affected by COVID-19. Various

Field of Vision and Topic have created a $250,000 fund to support documentary filmmakers during COVID-19. Due to the large volume of submission, the application is currently closed by will reopen on May 6. International

General Resources

Here are resources from the arts councils in ME, MA, NH, RI, CT, and VT.
All Boston-area arts/cultural organizations are invited to attend a weekly Zoom call with Kara Elliot-Ortega, Chief of Arts and Culture in the Mayor's Office of Art and Culture. The Zoom calls will take place every Friday from 3:00 - 4:30 PM. Learn More.

The New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) has put together this list of artist resources during COVID-19

The Mass Production Coalition has put together a COVID-19 relief resources document. They include loans and grant opportunities.

See MASSCreative's call for state lawmakers to include nonprofit arts, culture, and creative sector in COVID-19 disaster response.

Check out Boston-based community art non-profit Brain Arts Org's blog for these reflections and list of local arts resources.

Art House Convergence has put together COVID-19 Preparedness Resources for independent movie theaters.

The Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts on Massachusetts has shared a list of legal resources for artists + arts/culture workers and organizations, and has assembled an emergency response panel of large law firms able to advise artists and arts organizations on contracts, insurance, and labor and employment issues that are particularly relevant and concerning during this unprecedented time. The VLA is also waiving its service fees for artists and organizations suffering financial hardship due to the coronavirus.

COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources

Creative Capital's List of Arts Resources during the COVID-19 Outbreak

The PRX Podcast Garage have compiled this Podcaster Toolbox - a crowd-sourced guide for independent, DIY, and/or early-stage podcasters working from home.

See this Webinar on COVID-19 Relief for Artists, Freelancers, and Gig Workers.

DOC NYC has put together a list of filmmaker resources and online classes.

IFP has compiled these Resources for Filmmakers and Artists.

Sundance Collab has assembled a number of COVID-19 resources specifically for filmmakers and other artists. They will be updating the list continuously.

Desktop Documentaries has put together a "virtual care package" that includes free software downloads.

Creative Capital hosted a workshop called "Coping with COVID and the financial impact for creative individuals". The recording of the session is available to watch here .

The City of Boston has complied a Financial Relief Handbook for small business owners.

Firelight, IDA, and ITVS have shared this Filmmaker's Guide to Applying for US Coronavirus Federal Relief.

Check out this list of resources from Artist Relief Tree.

Center for Independent Documentaries has compiled this list of COVID-19 resources for filmmakers.

Women Make Movies held an online webinar answering questions on the Paycheck Protection Program and Unemployment Insurance. Check out the recording of the webinar. They also have this list of COVID-19 resources and relief funding.

Jenie Gao, a full-time artist based in Wisconsin, has put together a guide to help artists and arts foundations understand SBA Disaster Loans and Emergency Grants. Read it here.

Local Online Streaming Festivals / Resources

The Brattle Theatre has launched a new podcast and virtual programs while the theater has temporarily gone dark.

Check out the Coolidge Corner Theater's Virtual Screening Room.

Documentary Educational Resources has the majority of their films accessible for online learning. Films can be purchased as single titles to stream through Kanopy and Alexander Street.

The 20th Irish Film Festival Boston has postponed its festival until November, and has shared a curated list of online short films from festivals past.

New Day Films , a cooperative distribution company with many New England-based members, has decided to open up free online streaming for a number of its films in response to COVID-19, in order to help educators and community groups trying to work from home. Browse New Day's list of available films to watch for free before June 1.
Globe Docs is holding a free, virtual screening and discussion of the short doc, IN LOVE WITH YOU. The film discussion will take place on Monday, April 20 from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM. Learn more and RSVP.

Participate in Globe Docs + Bright Lights Film Series at Home! On April 28, they will be hosting a virtual discussion with Alla Kovgan, director of CUNNINGHAM, available on Hulu April 23. The most recent virtual discussion was with Petra Costa, director of THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY. Sign up and learn about other Bright Lights at Home virtual screenings.

Surveys

Take this survey from Americans For the Arts on the coronavirus impact on artists and organizations around the country.

In an effort to adapt their programs and resources for Latinx & diverse creatives and industry professionals, NALIP wants to hear from you. Fill out their survey here.

Firelight Media has launched a Needs Assessment Survey for POC Filmmakers. Fill out their survey here.

Are you looking for help with gathering data from your audience? Check out Culture Track's new COVID-19 survey initiative.

Local Film/Arts Journalism

Jake Mulligan of DigBoston has started a new series of articles devoted to how local film institutions and theaters are responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Here is the latest in the series, an interview with Nancy Campbell and Brian Tamm of IFFBoston.

What We're Reading/Listening To

NYWIFT and The D-Word co-hosted a panel discussion to explore what lessons can be learned from this pivotal moment to create a mind-shift in the industry. View the recording of the webinar here.

Inventing the New Reality, a series of blog posts from Brian Newman of Sub-Genre about how the film field can respond to this moment.

This is What We Train For is an essay on how artists can navigate this moment, written by Andrew Simonet, author of the free e-book Making Your Life As An Artist.

Art Became the Oxygen: An Artistic Response Guide from the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, a people-powered department-a grassroots action network inciting creativity and social imagination to shape a culture of empathy, equity, and belonging.

Springboard for the Arts has put together a guide on how to start an emergency relief fund. Read their comprehensive guide here.

Recording during the Coronavirus Pandemic, is a guide from Transom on to how to record audio and interviews remotely (and how to clean and sanitize microphones if recording in person in the future).

Jobs
Check out regular arts + culture job postings compiled by HireCulture, a service of the Mass Cultural Council. The New England Foundation for the Arts is seeking a Program Officer of NEFA's Creative Economy program. This is a full-time position with a minimum starting salary of $55,000. Deadline to apply: April 17. Learn more and apply.

Grants and Funding Opportunities for Filmmakers

For Boston-based artists: Check out the Opportunity Fund: A New Grant for Artists. As of right now, the Opportunity Fund is serving as an Artist Relief Fund during the COVID-19 Outbreak. More info

New England-based artists: Learn more about upcoming state-level arts funding and fellowship deadlines in CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, and VT.

In 2018, AmDoc launched the Artist Emergency fund to provide financial assistance to US-based non-fiction filmmakers facing unexpected crisis. During the pilot year, AmDoc disbursed nearly $22,000 and directly supported 25 filmmakers in need. As AmDoc evaluates its impact, they will be temporarily closing down the application portal and plan to reopen the fund later this year based on their learnings. Learn more and about this and other opportunities from AmDoc

The Sundance Documentary Film Fund is now accepting applications. Deadline: Rolling More info

The Ford Foundation's JustFilms supports artist-driven film and new media storytelling projects that explore aspects of inequality, as well as the organizations and networks that support these projects. Deadline: Rolling. More info

Catapult Film Fund provides development funding to documentary filmmakers who have a compelling story to tell, have secured access to their story and are ready to shoot and edit a piece for production fundraising purposes. Deadline: Rolling. More info

Cinereach develops, produces, finances, and supports feature-length fiction, nonfiction and hybrid films crafted for the big screen. Deadline: Rolling. More info

The Fledgling Fund focuses its grant support on outreach and audience engagement, through their Engagement Lab, funding partnerships and special initiatives that examine and support emerging trends in the field. Deadline: Rolling. More info

Meredith Vieira Productions (MVP) has partnered with This Is Just A Test (TIJAT) on a new initiative to fund the development of documentary features and series directed by women. This is not a grant or a fund, but the possibility of having MVP come on board as possible executive producers / producers. If you are interested in applying, e-mail Amy Rapp, Producer and Executive Vice President at MVP, to request an application form. Deadline: Rolling

The Perspective Fund provides grant support to independently-produced documentary films that highlight social justice and human rights issues, and that align with their priority areas. Currently, grant proposals for funding are accepted by invitation only, but filmmakers are welcome to complete Perspective's inquiry form. Deadline: Rolling

The ITVS Open Call application will open in July, Open Call gives independent producers up to $350,000 to complete production for a standalone broadcast length documentary to air on public television. Open Call is not a grant. You will receive funding in the form of a production agreement that assigns ITVS certain rights over your project during the term of the contract. Deadline: Reopens July 2020

SFF Documentary Film Fund awards grants once a year to documentary feature projects and are open to filmmakers internationally. Regular deadline is April 6. Final deadline is April 30. Learn more.

The New England Foundation for the Arts has a new grant opportunity! New Work New England provides grants of $7,500-$15,000 to New England-based artists in dance, film, interdisciplinary work, music, musical theater, opera, poetry, storytelling and theater to support the creation and production of new work that has the potential to engage multiple New England communities. Deadline to apply: June 24, 2020. Learn more.

Open City Documentary Festival has just re-opened their applications for their 2020 documentary development lab. They are looking to add six projects from first and second time feature filmmakers and award one of them 10,000 euros. Deadline: May 15, 2020. Learn more.

The Hot Docs CrossCurrents International Documentary Fund supports interactive, short, or feature-length doc projects made by filmmakers telling the stories of the underrepresented and marginalized communities to which they belong. Eligibility requirements and guidelines can be found here. Deadline: May 27, 2020

Screening and Exhibition Opportunities

Browse upcoming film festival deadlines on Festhome and Film Freeway

POV, public television's premier showcase for independent, nonfiction film, is now accepting and evaluating films on a rolling basis, year-round! For both feature or short-form projects, learn more here.

Woods Hole Film Festival is accepting submissions. Late Deadline: May 1, 2020. Festival dates: July 25 - August 1.

New Orleans Film Festival is accepting submissions. Late Deadline: May 8, 2020. Extended deadline: June 19, 2020. Festival Dates: October 14 to 21, 2020

Camden International Film Festival is now accepting submissions. Deadline: April 27, 2020 (Regular), May 26, 2020 (Late) June 29, 2020 (Extended). Festival Dates: October 1-4, 2020

Fellowships, Labs, Residencies, Pitch Opportunities

Search this directory of artist residencies compiled by the Alliance of Artist Communities.

Learn more about annual Sundance documentary lab and fellowship opportunities, including the Native Filmmaker Fellowship, Story and Edit Lab, and Creative Producing Lab & Fellowship, among others.

Center for Independent Documentary will be holding it's 15th annual Kopkind/CID Film Camp from August 2-9, 2020 in Vermont. Applications open in April. Learn more.

The MacDowell Colony, in Peterborough, NH, accepts residency applications at three deadlines each year: September 15, January 15, April 15. Learn more.

Yaddo, in Saratoga Springs, NY, accepts applications at two deadlines each year: Next Deadline: August 1. Learn more.

The Vermont Studio Center, in Johnson, VT, offers fellowships/financial aid to support artists who are awarded a visual art or writing residency. Filmmakers are eligible to apply. Annual deadlines: February 15, June 15, October 1. Learn more.

White River Indie Films is hosting a freedom & Unity Young Filmmakers Contest. Residents of New Hampshire and Vermont who are between the ages of 10 to 30 are invited to create films exploring the life and culture of the Green Mountain and Granite States. Final submission deadline is May 15. Learn More.

Education / Classes / Workshops

Center for Independent Documentary is hosting a webinar on April 23 with David Weinstein, the senior program officer for the Natoinal Endowment for the Humanities Media Grants. More info

Follow Cambridge Community Television and the Somerville Media Center for updates about future online workshops and learning resources, and check to see if your local community access TV station or media center is offering any online filmmaking workshops.

Backstage has multiple webinars on fundraising, acting, directing, producing, etc as well as yoga and mental health sessions.

MassArt is offering a series of free online workshops in digital marketing and creative business planning for artists.

Community-Building Opportunities

While in-person events are on pause, Boston offers many opportunities to take part in work-in-progress film screenings, some of which are temporarily going virtual ( Filmmakers Collaborative, Cambridge Community Television, Somerville Media Center, and the AgX Film Collective are all exploring this for their members) while others we hope will be back after the end of social distancing measures like the Center for Independent Documentary's Rough Cut Series and Boston Open Screen.

The Brown Girls Doc Mafia is an international grassroots filmmaking collective with over 2000 members worldwide that was launched in 2015 to address issues of diversity in documentary. Learn more and join/share the Facebook group.

If you are looking for another online documentary filmmaking community, check out The D-Word, an online platform for conversation within the documentary film world.

Check out the PRX Podcast Garage website for updates on how the local audio community is adapting to going virtual during the coronavirus pandemic.

Brain Arts Org is a volunteer-run 501(c)3 arts nonprofit for Greater Boston. Its mission is to create platforms for fringe and undervalued artistic communities. Learn about upcoming events at its associated community art space the Dorchester Art Project, and check out the Boston Compass for listings and reviews of upcoming films and shows across the city. Support Brain Arts as a local community arts organization here.

Next week, check out the Boston-based organization Arts Equity International's Virtual Arts Equity Summit (April 24-26), an online convening for arts and culture leaders committed to building equity.

Warm wishes and stay healthy,

Lyda & Gen

LEF Foundation
PO Box 382066
Cambridge, MA 02238
t.617.492.5333

www.lef-foundation.org

Do you have some news you'd like to share in an upcoming newsletter? The LEF New England newsletter is released monthly. Please send your information on LEF-funded film achievements, opportunities for filmmakers, and upcoming documentary film/video events in Boston and greater New England. Newsletter contact: gen@lef-foundation.org

A pri vate family foundation dedicated to the support of contemporary arts, LEF was established in 1985 with office s in Massachusetts and California. The Moving Image Fund was launched in 2001 through the LEF office in Cambridge, MA to support independent film and video artists. Since its inception, the Moving Image Fund has supported over 300 independent filmmaker projects with approximately $4,000,000 in funding. The goal of LEF New England is to fund the work of independent film and video artists in the region and broaden recognition and support for their work locally and nationally.