$1.5M for Filmmakers? Cinereach and Sundance Unveil Three-Year Grant Program

The Sundance Institute and Cinereach unveiled a $1.5 million three-year grant for a new project dubbed, “The Cinereach Project at Sundance Institute.” Funded by Cinereach, the program will support what the Institute calls “a unique and flexible resource pool for documentary and feature film projects with themes that evoke global cultural exchange and social impact.” During the three year period, the grant will give support to a minimum of 12 films from a “new generation of socially conscious artists.”

The program 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 that are in need of urgent support. 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,” commented Philipp Engelhorn, Cinereach Founder and Executive Director in a statement. “We are pleased to join forces with Sundance Institute to help sustain this important and unparalleled work.”

“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 in a statement. “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.”

Cinereach was created in 2006 by young filmmakers, philanthropists and entrepreneurs to champion vital stories artfully told. Its three key initiatives include Grants & Awards, The Reach Film Fellowship and Productions. Cinereach has awarded over $2 million in grants and achievement awards since its inception. 

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