The LEF Foundation has just announced 6 grants totaling $30,000 in pre-production funding to projects directed or produced by New England-based independent documentary filmmakers.
The LEF Moving Image Fund invests in artful, feature-length documentary films that demonstrate excellence in technique, strong storytelling ability, and originality of artistic vision and voice. The most recent round of awards includes six grants of $15,000 to projects at the production stage, and four grants of $25,000 to projects at the post-production stage.
LEF Executive Director Lyda Kuth wrote, “LEF is proud to be among a small handful of regional grantmakers for documentary film in the United States, offering funding from conception to broadcast. Because of this unique approach, we are able to connect directly with this community and provide a continuum of support to independent artists living and working in New England. At a time of great change in the world and shifting support within the film industry itself, private family foundations like LEF are vital for investing on a local scale to help nurture the unique perspectives of artists and catalyze the untold stories they bring to light.”
The selected films take on a variety of artistic approaches – experimental, essayistic, observational, personal, and poetic – and bring new critical perspectives to an array of subjects including mental health and policing, artificial intelligence, political strongmen, and the first-ever truth and reconciliation commission for Native Americans.
“At LEF, we know these grants make a significant difference in the lives of these filmmakers, whether emerging, mid-career, or established,” wrote Kuth. “We would like to send our warmest congratulations to all of the awarded projects, and our continuing encouragement and best wishes to all of the filmmakers whose projects were reviewed for this deadline.”
