New $126,000 Granting Program for Local Filmmakers Launched
Brico Forward Fund applications open for projects in development and production
MILWAUKEE – Wednesday, July 8, 2015 – Milwaukee Film announces the creation of the Brico Forward Fund, an annual granting program with dedicated funding opportunities for local filmmakers, offering the funds and tools necessary to create and complete worthy filmmaking projects.
In the inaugural year, a pool of $50,000 in cash and sponsor-donated production resources (camera rentals, lighting rentals and post-production audio and visual services, etc) valued at $76,000 will be awarded to jury-selected recipients in packages that combine cash and services.
“Milwaukee Film is dedicated to growing the local filmmaking community,” says Jonathan Jackson. “No one doubts the incredible talent here, but over the years we have noticed a lack of funding opportunities that go directly to artists and their work. We are attempting to do our part to address that with the launch of the Brico Forward Fund.”
Lead underwriting, $20,000 in support, for the cash portion of the Brico Forward Fund is being provided by the Brico Fund. Additional support, in $5,000 pledges, was provided by: John Axford, Michael Drescher, Kelly & Jeff Fitzsimmons, Alexander Lasry, Madeleine & David Lubar, and Andrew Nunemaker. The $76,000 in production support is being provided by The Electric Sun Corporation, Independent, North American Camera, and RDI Stages.
“We share Milwaukee Film’s commitment to nurturing a sustainable environment for local filmmakers, while engendering dialogue about issues of relevance to our community. This aligned vision has inspired the Brico Fund to provide lead support for the inaugural year of the Brico Forward Fund, that will offer the financial and production assistance critical to ensuring the creation of high quality and meaningful film projects by local artists,” said Anne Summers, CEO of the Brico Fund.
Online applications for the 2015 program are open beginning today, July 8, and will close on August 16. Residents of the M7 counties (Milwaukee, Waukesha, Kenosha, Racine, Ozaukee, Walworth, or Washington) are eligible to apply and are asked to describe their project, offer a work sample as well as to explain what will help them push this project forward. An external jury will consider applications and identify awardees to be announced at during the 2015 Milwaukee Film Festival.
In order for the awards to have the greatest impact for the artist and project, the jury will have discretion to package awards from the cash and donated production services pool as will best fit the project being awarded. Milwaukee Film anticipates that there will be 3-5 projects awarded in the first year. Long-term goals for the Brico Forward Fund include developing a long-term commitment of support to assure its longevity and to increase the cash pool to over $100,000 annually.
Application details can be found at www.mkefilm.org.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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