The Redford Center Announces Second Cycle of Redford Center Grants Program to Fund Impactful Filmmaking
By: Macon Prickett May. 01, 2018
The Redford Center, a 501(c)3 dedicated to engaging people through inspiring stories that galvanize environmental action, today announced the launch of its second Redford Center Grants cycle for independent media MAKERS who understand the power of a well-told, well-timed story to impact positive environmental change in the world.
"Two years ago when we launched this program, it was a very different world, particularly with regard to our Federal environmental policies," said James Redford, co-founder and chair of The Redford Center, and star and director of The Redford Center's film Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution. "The films that we supported are a clear reflection of the turmoil we are all experiencing, but tend toward offering solutions and hope - something in short supply in today's media market."
Expanding on the success of its inaugural cycle, the 2018-2019 Grants program will support six filmmaking teams developing feature-length film projects focused on driving awareness, education and tangible action on a variety of environmental topics in the U.S. Each team selected to participate in the program, which is funded by The New York Community Trust, will receive:
- A $20,000 development grant to help produce a proof-of-concept short film
- A GoPro camera and tech kit to support their filmmaking
- A travel and lodging grant to attend a Story Development Summit at the Sundance Mountain Resort October 25-28, 2018
- Access to issue experts and industry leaders who will help Redford Center Grantees refine their project narratives and impact goals
- Consideration for Redford Center Grants production funds to support the feature film
- All finalists receive fast-track consideration for fiscal sponsorship with The Redford Center
"There has simply never been a more important time to double-down on our efforts to protect and restore the environment," New York Community TRUST Program Director Kerry McCarthy said. "Organizations working at the nexus of art and environment, and filmmakers in particular, have an opportunity to reach a much wider audience and we must bring more people along."
The Redford Center Grants program, in collaboration with GoPro for a Cause, provided significant support to 2016 grantee films including Reefs at Risk which recently won the "Environment Award" from the International Ocean Film Festival, and will be available to watch on all Hawaiian Airlines flights beginning in April 2018. Other films from the 2016 group of grantees receiving support from GoPro included Akicita: The Battle of Standing Rock and Inventing Tomorrow, both of which premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, and How We Grow, which premiered a the 2018 Colorado Environmental Film Festival and won the "Best of Fest" award.
"I am excited that GoPro is deepening its relationship with Redford Center Grants this year through its GoPro for a Cause program," said Justin Wilkenfeld, Redford Center Grants Advisor and GoPro liaison. "Being able to support the filmmakers-not just with gear, but with insights into telling their story-really energizes me. When filmmakers are focused on the environment, capturing their immersion in the topic is another visual component that can really enhance the audience's experience of the film."
A major addition to the program this year is the integration of a carbon neutrality standard for each of the film projects. The Redford Center has partnered with Bay Area based non-profit Cool Effect to support this effort. The organization will collaborate with The Redford Center to educate grantee filmmakers on the impact of carbon pollution in film production, how to calculate their footprints, and the various carbon-reducing projects available to verifiably reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Ultimately, the partnership helps deepen The Redford Center's organizational commitment to accelerating the shift to a low-carbon economy in all its programs, including through grantees' creation of their environmental films.
"Redford Center filmmakers are selected because their films have what it takes to provide hope for the future," said Robert Redford, co-founder of The Redford Center. "These filmmakers are leading us toward solutions to some of the biggest challenges we face-and doing it through compelling, artful films that inspire and capture the imagination."
Redford Center Grants will be accepting submissions from May 1, 2018 through June 1, 2018 at http://redforcenter.org/grants.
About The Redford Center:
Co-founded by Robert Redford and his son James in 2005, The Redford Center harnesses the power of documentary films and impact campaigns to help tip the scales on critical environmental and social issues. The Redford Center's Fiscal Sponsorship Program extends its nonprofit status and excellent filmmaker support to kindred environmental impact film and media projects. The Redford Center's original productions include: FIGHTING GOLIATH: Texas Coal Wars (2008) which helped prevent the construction of 177 new coal-powered plants. WATERSHED (2012) which secured $10 million to support on-the-ground restoration work and obtain water rights for the delta region. The Redford Center's current film and campaign, HAPPENING: A CLEAN ENERGY REVOLUTION (2017) has been viewed more than 1.5 million times since its HBO broadcast premier in December 2017 and won "Best Environmental Film" at the 2018 NYWILD Film Festival. And Redford Center Grants provides funding, filmmaker support, and networking to filmmakers with feature film projects in early development that are focused on driving awareness, education and tangible action on a variety of environmental topics. To learn more, please visit redfordcenter.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Vimeo and YouTube.
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