The LEF Foundation has just announced 6 grants totaling $30,000 in pre-production funding to New England-based independent documentary filmmakers.
The LEF Moving Image Fund invests in innovative feature-length documentary films that demonstrate excellence in technique, strong storytelling ability, and originality of artistic vision and voice.
“As a small family foundation and as a local funder,” said LEF Executive Director Lyda Kuth, “the pre- production stage is a critical point at which to invest in the process of story development and artistic experimentation, and to encourage future support from other funders. Our hope is that these grants help each team accomplish some of their initial goals, like travel, research, and discovering the look and feel of the film.”
The directors awarded grants in this round include both first-time and returning LEF grantees. These filmmakers are pursuing subject matter throughout the United States and around the world, from Turkey to the Rio Grande, from Michigan to South Carolina, and close to home in New England. Additionally, these grantees take on a variety of approaches to the documentary form, including projects that are character-driven, observational, personal, immersive, participatory, and archival.