For the first time, WIFTI has chosen to join with the Women In Film Foundation (WIFF) to grant Film Finishing Funds(FFF) to two films. Each year we send out the application to all of the Chapters to give their members the opportunity to apply for a FFF Grant, this year we decided to join forces with WIFF and make a few grants through WIFTI. The Films receiving those funds are Dukhtar and The Factory Girl. Below is the official press release that also contains information about the films - feel free to send this to your Chapter members. The next opportunity to apply for the Grants will be in a few months and we will make sure to send it to all the Chapters, perhaps someone from your Chapter will be chosen for the next WIFTI Grant.The Women In Film Foundation's Film Finishing Fund co-chairs Betsy Pollock and Nancy Rae Stone announced today the recipients of the 28th annual Film Finishing Fund grant program. Over 113 feature-length narrative films, documentaries and shorts were submitted from around the world.
The 2013 WIFF Film Finishing Fund winners are:
Narrative Feature Films
Dukhtar Afia Nathaniel - Writer/Director/Producer
The Factory Girl Mohamed Samir - Producer
Documentary Films
LaDonna Harris: Indian 101 Julianna Brannum - Director/Producer
The Last One Nadine Licostie - Director
Mia, A Dancer's Odyssey Maria Ramas and Kate Johnson - Co-Directors
Spies of Mississippi Dawn Porter - Director/Producer
Narrative Short Films
The Bravest, The Boldest Pelin Uzay - Producer
"There was a real diversity of subjects explored in this year's entries," said co-chairs Pollock and Stone in a joint statement. "The global status of women and the rights of minorities are consistent themes, but this year we saw many more topics as well."
Pollock is an Associate Dean of Production at AFI. Stone is a producer; her feature film Words and Pictures is receiving a Gala/World Premiere screening at the upcoming 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.
The Film Finishing Fund provides cash grants and in-kind production services to complete films that fit the established criteria of being by, for or about women. The works-in-progress are viewed by a special jury of WIF professionals that selects the winning submissions.
Of the 113 films submitted in 2013, there were 64 documentaries (40 features and 24 shorts) and 49 narrative films (27 features and 22 shorts).