Finalists Revealed For Prestigious 4th Annual Library Of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize For Film

deadline.com:

EXCLUSIVE: Six finalists were announced today for the richest prize in documentary film—the 4th Annual Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film.A grant of $200,000 will go to the winning film to support final production, distribution and marketing of the documentary.

In addition, a runner-up will receive $50,000, and up to four finalists will earn a $25,000 grant. The Better Angels Society, the Library of Congress, and the Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation established the award in 2019 to recognize “one late-stage documentary that uses original research and compelling narrative to tell stories that bring American history to life using archival materials.”Among the finalists are Bella, a film about the late New York Congresswoman Bella Abzug; Philly on Fire, a film about the infamous MOVE bombing in 1985, in which Philadelphia police dropped two explosive devices onto a row of buildings occupied by a controversial African American group, killing 11 people including six children, and Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting, “about the use of Native American names, logos, and mascots in sports and beyond, which has had damaging effects on the self-esteem of Native people.” [see full list below].“The six finalists will be reviewed and narrowed down to the top two submissions by the Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film Jury,” according to a release.

This year’s Jury includes Dr. Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, Dr. Annette Gordon-Reed of Harvard University; Dr. Claudio Saunt of the University of Georgia, and filmmakers Sam Pollard, Dawn Porter, and Sally Rosenthal.Dr.