2012 LFF Seed Grant Second Annual Cycle NOW CLOSED
PLEASE NOTE: All grant applicants have now been notified via email as to the status of their grant application to the 2012 LFF Seed Grant Program. If you have not received email notification of the status of your application, please contact the LFF at info@latinofilmfund.org. The 2012 Seed Grant Recipients will be announced publicly in September 2012.
POSTMARK DEADLINE: Friday, August 3rd, 2012
GRANT RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED: Tuesday, September 4th, 2012
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Both narrative and documentary films are considered for our seed grant program. The projects we seek are well-crafted film projects, which present unique, true-to-life Latino stories and further our mission to “expand the Latino perspective” presented through media. We will consider fictional stories and films exploring real-life issues taking place in the United States or internationally. The LFF requires an application process to ensure applicants are committed to the success of the proposed film project.
What does it mean to “Expand the Latino Perspective” and how do I know if my film project qualifies? All film projects submitted must be “Latino-themed.” “Latino-themed Film” is a term that encompasses the presence of one or more of the following: characters, conflicts, plots, environment and/or settings that reflect the Latino/Hispanic/Latin American culture. It is the organization’s mission to EXPAND THE LATINO PERSPECTIVE in media and mainstream film, supporting the production of unique, true-to-life media portrayals of Latinos and the Latino culture that will help chip away at bandied clichés that are of the limited current Latino presence in the media content of the United States.
What types of film projects can apply? Both narrative and documentary films are considered for the LFF grant program, as well as feature-length or short films. The projects we seek are well-crafted film projects, which present unique, true-to-life Latino stories. We will consider fictional stories and real-life issues taking place in the United States or internationally. Films can be in development, pre-production or production. We request that films have not completed principal photography by the date of the application deadline.
Do I have to be Latino/Hispanic/Latin American to apply? No. Filmmakers of all ethnic backgrounds are urged to apply; it is not a requirement that the project’s filmmakers be of Latin American descent to tell a Latino-themed film. The LFF will look for an applicant to show proof of a truthfulness and authenticity in the theme(s) presented. Applicants may live abroad. Also, the film project may be filmed in the United States or outside of the U.S.A.
What is the application process? The LFF requires an application process to ensure applicants are committed to the success of the proposed film project. The postmark deadline for the 2012 Seed Grant is Friday, August 3, 2012. All applicants will be notified of their status by September 3, 2012. Don’t wait until the last-minute to apply, as the application includes both Written and Visual Materials. The Visual Materials portion of the application is a <1-minute “Video Pitch” which should present one or more of the project’s filmmakers conveying the following: 1. What is the essence of your story and what makes your film Latino? 2. How does your film align with the mission statement of the Latino Film Fund? Because filmmaking is a visual medium, we encourage filmmakers to be as creative as possible when executing the <1-minute “Video Pitch,” as the pitch will be considered an example of the filmmakers’ potential to execute a film project.
How many films will receive a grant and how much is it? The LFF decides it’s granting amount depending on the pool of projects considered. Granting can be provided up to two (2) film projects, although in our first grant cycle of 2011, one (1) film received the entirety of the grant of $2,000.00 USD. The amount of the 2012 grant is not finalized but it can be estimated that the total sum disbursed will be in the range of the grant sum disbursed in 2011.
What does being a LFF Seed Grant Recipient entail? The LFF provides the LFF Seed Grant Recipient(s) with check payment within 1 month of the announcement of the cycle winner(s). The Latino Film Fund requests Grant Recipients include the logo of the LFF organization in the closing titles of the completed picture, as well as a Special Thanks in all online credit listings for the film. Otherwise, the LFF’s financial support of your project is only the beginning of our assistance to you and the successful completion of your film. In addition to providing your film a USD payment, winning projects receive promotion, any development and production-related guidance we can provide, as well as an automatic inclusion into our Fiscal Sponsorship program, if participants request such.
2011 Seed Grant Recipient
FERIADO (HOLIDAY)
Producer: Hanne-Lovise Skartveit
Writer/Director: Diego Araujo
$2,000.00
FERIADO is also the Recipient of the following awards: Consejo Nacional de Cinematografia del Ecuador (2010) & Tribeca Film Institute Latin America Media Arts Fund Heineken Voces Grant (2012)
