From the Executive Director
Black History Month might be ending, but the work, the stories, the acts of cultural preservation, and the spirit of creative activation continues.
The Alliance awarded the first Ann Bennett Visionary Producers prize, for excellence in Archival Storytelling and Emerging Technologies, to Marcellus Armstrong this year. He is part of a community honoring Black and queer creatives who keep history alive. In this reel, created by Alliance Senior Producer Valentina Vargas, Marcellus @marcy.merci.marcellus shares why the archive always comes first @talkingwalls.archive , and what it means to be the first recipient of the Ann Bennett Visionary Producers Prize.
We have also been busy at the Alliance with new Arts2Work Apprenticeship programs ramping up in California, New York, and North Carolina, new podcast episodes in production, a series of free online workshops and roundtables (calendar coming soon!), and preparing to launch the MARKA digital community archive.
As always, now is a really good time to join the Alliance, GIVE to support the programs you love, check out the amazingness of the organizations and artists in the Alliance network, and stay safe out there.
~ Wendy
Notes from the Field
| NeXt Doc Applications Open Now NeXt Doc is a program of Youth FX that connects nonfiction storytellers with award-winning nonfiction filmmakers to work collaboratively. The fellowship includes a one-week, in-person retreat at Alusha Hill Farm Lodge in Topsham. Following the retreat, fellows will have a range of opportunities, including peer-to-peer screenings, classes, workshops, and mentorship spanning the rest of the year. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 6th. RE:IMAGINE Featured on Atlanta News First Atlanta News featured an interview with Executive Director of RE:IMAGINE, Jessie sparrow, to discuss their creation of an “education and workforce development pipeline” for young storytellers. Sparrow reported that RE:IMAGINE students have been offered positions at NASCAR, Lionsgate, Disney and NBCU, and through local industry partnerships, they have been able to offer all programs at no cost to trainees. |
Grants and Calls
Out on Film Filmmaker Fund
The Out on Film Filmmaker Fund offers grants to LGBTQ filmmakers in the United States, with particular emphasis on Georgia and the Southeast. Awards range from $250 to $2,500. Applicants must be in post-production or near completion of their film and submit a synopsis, budget, schedule, bios, and a rough cut or assembly edit. Projects focused on LGBTQ subject matter, with LGBTQ individuals on the production team, are especially encouraged.
Deadline: March 6th
Points North Fellowship
The Points North Fellowship is a program supporting early and mid-career feature documentary teams. Six fellows from around the world are selected to convene ahead of the Camden International Film Festival for workshops, mentorship, and a live pitching event. Applicants must have a feature-length project in production or post-production. The fellowship also provides a range of professional development opportunities, including access to funders, broadcasters, and distributors.
Deadline: March 23rd
Roy W. Dean Spring Grant
Independent filmmakers from any country working on unique projects that aim to contribute to society are eligible to apply for the Roy W. Dean Grant from From the Heart Productions. The grant offers $3,500 in cash, along with $20,000 in services and discounts for production and post-production. Projects must have a budget under $500,000 and may be in any stage of production.
Deadline: March 31st
Workshops, Festivals, Convenings
True/False Film Fest, March 5th – 8th, Columbia, MO
South by Southwest Film & TV Festival, March 12th – 18th, Austin, TX
Thin Line Fest, March 18th – 22nd, Denton, TX
Ann Arbor Film Festival, March 24th – 29th, Ann Arbor, MI
Annapolis Film Festival, March 26th – 29th, Annapolis, MD
Media Policy Watch
by Priscilla Genet
Legislation surrounding teenagers’ access to social media has become a highly contentious issue internationally. As widespread concern about the effects of social media on teenagers’ mental health has grown — including a lawsuit against Meta in the United States — countries have begun to roll out age-based restrictions on who can create social media accounts.
In December, Australia became the first country to pass legislation prohibiting users under the age of 16 from maintaining social media accounts. Following Australia, Malaysia, and Spain have proposed age restrictions, with countries including Greece, France, and Denmark considering implementing measures.
In the United States, many states including Florida, California, and Virginia have partially enacted age-based social media restrictions, with many also enacting phone-free school policies, as reported by the advocacy group The Anxious Generation. Efforts are also underway at the federal level, where lawmakers have introduced the Kids Online Safety Act and proposed updates to the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act aimed at expanding online protections for minors.
However, critics argue that enforcement of age restrictions could require internet users to tie their digital identities to government-issued identification, raising concerns that these measures could lead to the erosion of online anonymity, limiting free speech and expanding digital surveillance infrastructure. Cody Venzke, senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union, described it as a “privacy nightmare,” according to The Verge.
Job Bank
Chief Development Officer, Bay Street Theater, Sag Harbor, NY
Assistant Professor of Film & TV (Documentary and Fictional Storytelling), Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
Director of External Affairs, International Documentary Association, Los Angeles, CA
Fiscal Sponsorship Program Manager, International Documentary Association, Los Angeles, CA