Women in Film Foundation seeks films

Org accepting submissions for fund

By ANNE THOMPSON

The Women in Film Foundation will accept submissions for its Film Finishing Fund between Dec. 1 and Feb. 8.

Now in its 23rd year, the Finishing Fund seeks innovative and advanced narrative, documentary, educational, animated and experimental films.

"Freeheld," which recently made the Oscar shortlist of 15 documentary features, is an example of the sort of film that might not have been made without Finishing Fund backing.

Other pics supported by the fund include 2007 Tribeca fest award winner "A Walk Into the Sea: Danny Williams and the Warhol Factory," 2006 Sundance special jury prize winner "American Blackout," 2004 Emmy winner "Be Good, Smile Pretty," 1998 Oscar winner "Regret to Inform," 1994 Emmy winner "Animated Woman" and 1994 Oscar winner "Maya Lin: A Strong, Clear Vision."

Since the inception of the fund in 1985, the foundation has awarded more than $1.6 million in cash and in-kind services to 170 films. Unrestricted cash awards range from $1,500 to $5,000, with the number of grants to indie filmmakers and nonprofits ranging from five to 10 each year. Eligibility is limited to projects for which principal photography and a rough cut have been completed at the time of application.

Anyone can apply from anywhere in the world, but foreign-language projects must be subtitled and student projects are not eligible.

Filmmakers must send three NTSC Region 1 DVD copies of their rough cut with their supporting materials. Applications and guidelines are available at Wif.org.

In-kind grants for post-production services such as online editing, sound mixing, color correction and closed captioning are available in several cities, including Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C.