Granting Program | Acquisitions Program | Distribution Program | Education Program
Philanthropic efforts in the developing world are normally concerned with providing the impoverished with food, shelter and other basic necessities. While this mission continues to be of utmost importance, it has become clear that cultural outreach needs to supplement these efforts. Authentic self-representation can be a vibrant partner to economic growth, providing a structure to understand global change while remaining true to a rich cultural heritage. Self-sufficiency and sustainability are not achieved through financial and industrial assistance alone.
Specifically supporting original filmmaking in the developing world celebrates the power of local storytelling traditions and acknowledges that a powerful fusion with modern cultural media can sustain and nourish these traditions.
The Granting Program is based on the Hubert Bals Fund, an innovation of the Rotterdam Film Festival that shares the Initiative’s goals. With continued funding of 1m Euros each year (primarily from the Dutch government), this organization celebrated its tenth anniversary as a grant-giving organization to films from the developing world. Their investments have yielded impressive results, including ten supported films selected for the legendary Cannes Film Festival, in 2002.
The Initiative will be awarding 10-20 grants of up to $10,000 per year. These funds are made available to filmmakers once the Initiative selection committee evaluates applicants’ scripts and early footage of their films. The Initiative supports films that promise artistic excellence, exhibit accomplished storytelling and offer American audiences a variety of cultural perspectives on daily life around the world. The Initiative also seeks films that substantially contribute to the development of local film industries. Filmmakers use monies received from the Initiative to complete initial production and to pay for post-production costs, such as laboratory fees, sound mixing and access to modern editing systems.
Click here for Granting Applications and Guidelines
Current grant recipients for the 2008 funding cycle:
ADDICTED TO LOVE, Liu Hao (China)
Despite social conventions and disapproving families, two elderly friends struggle with Alzheimer's and a growing attraction for one another.
BLIND PIG WHO WANTS TO FLY, Edwin (Indonesia)
The dreams and ambitions of nine Jakarta residents intertwine and unravel amidst ethnic, racial and social tensions of urban Indonesia.
THE FIFTH STRING, Selma Bargach (Morocco)
A lute player considers pursuing a career as a traditional Andalusian musician despite his family's desire that he attend university.
INDEPENDENCE, Raya Martin (Philippines)
As American forces begin the occupation of the Philippines, a mother and son leave their village for the mountains to live in quiet resistance to the colonization.
K & ALI, Pelin Esmer (Turkey)
A friendship between an aging collector and his doorman leads to an unusual exploration of class and privilege in modern Istanbul.
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY NET POTATO, Vipin Vijay (India)
An epic tale of spirituality and self-discovery is revealed through the eyes of an Internet hacker and his black magician grandfather.
NATIVE DANCER, Guka Omarova (Kazakhstan)
A mystic healer, displaced from her home by land developers, is enlisted to aid in the search for a missing boy.
OCTOBER, Daniel Vega Vidal and Diego Vega Vidal (Peru)
Two friends reevaluate their personal and emotional attachments after becoming unwitting caretakers to an abandoned baby.
QUELEH, Abdi Ismail Jama (Somalia)
After his father is abducted during a civil conflict in 1980s Somalia, a young boy comes-of-age and learns to care for his family.
THIEF, Jacques Trabi (Ivory Coast)
A man unexpectedly joins a gang of thieves to provide his wife and college-bound children with a more prosperous life.
For a list past grant recipents, click here. |
