Grantee Database
FILM INDEPENDENT INC
Grant Year
2025-26
Grant Program
Arts and Youth
Award Amount
$18,000.00
Project Description
With support from the California Arts Council, FILM INDEPENDENT INC will partner with LA Promise Fund to match two public, middle-school classrooms with Film Independent’s network of professional filmmakers from underrepresented communities who will serve as classroom Mentors. Up to 60 middle-schoolers in South Los Angeles will gain hands-on filmmaking training and learn to think critically about the role of visual media in representing diverse viewpoints. Additionally, Film Independent Mentors will lead a half-day teacher training for up to 10 middle-school media arts teachers, who will gain artistic and technical skills to enhance their work with students.
Organization Summary
Our Artist Development (AD) programs offer free labs for selected screenwriters, directors, producers, episodic content creators and documentary filmmakers to experience valuable career building and networking opportunities. We also offer over $6M per year in grants and awards and run an annual film finance market. Project Involve, our signature AD program, fosters the careers of filmmakers from communities historically excluded from the industry (including women, people from BIPOC communities, LGBTQ+ filmmakers and filmmakers with disabilities). Each year, up to 35 filmmakers are given the opportunity to hone skills, form creative partnerships, create short films and gain industry access needed to succeed as working artists.
Our Education programs offer virtual and in-person opportunities to learn from renowned artists, stay up-to-date on the distribution landscape and acquire the acumen needed to secure financing. Our Future Filmmakers program serves youth creators in middle and high school, who receive mentorship from emerging and professional filmmakers and become empowered to find their voice and tell their own unique stories through film.
We produce the annual Film Independent Spirit Awards, the premier awards event recognizing excellence in independent film and television, and Film Independent Presents, a year-round program offering unique virtual and in-person cinematic experiences.
Through our International programs, we connect international filmmakers with leading U.S. entertainment professionals through comprehensive filmmaker education, business training, professional networking opportunities and tailored mentorships. International Fellows from all over the globe are selected for a year-long mentorship program that includes a Residency in Los Angeles, which provides master classes, industry sessions, field trips, cultural engagement and access to individual Mentors for project support and networking. We also travel abroad to better understand the global media landscape and organize in-depth workshops for filmmakers all over the world.
Organization
Film Independent
Address
5670 Wilshire Blvd., 9th Floor
9th Floor
Los Angeles
90036
County
Los Angeles
Region
South – Los Angeles & Orange
Phone
(323) 556-9361
Congressional District
District 30
State Assembly District
District 55
State Senate District
District 28
