Sundance Institute Announces 2022 Documentary Fund Grantees

variety.com:

Michaela Zee editor The Sundance Institute has announced this year’s grantees for the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund, with a total of $1,396,500 in unrestricted grant support bestowed upon 35 projects. “As we celebrate the DFP’s 20th anniversary, it’s an exceptional achievement that Sundance has been able to provide documentary filmmakers robust and sustained financial support, from development through post-production, for two decades,” said Carrie Lozano, director of the Sundance Institute’s Documentary Film Program. “Thanks to our incredible funders, supporters, staff, and external reviewers, the Documentary Fund has been able to realize its top priorities during a tumultuous time: supporting underrepresented stories, directors and producers; providing much needed resources to urgent international projects; and elevating human rights and social, civic and environmental justice, all while foregrounding bold and artistic approaches.

I am constantly amazed by the breadth and depth of our grantees.” This year’s grant recipients have roots in 31 countries, with 57% of submissions coming from outside the U.S..

Among the 14 U.S. films granted this year, the projects are helmed by at least one BIPOC director and/or lead producer, while two of these projects are directed by Indigenous filmmakers.

This round consists of 35 projects, with five in development, 15 in production, 10 in post-production and five currently pursuing audience engagement and social impact campaigns. “With growing opposition to human rights and freedom of speech around the world, it is imperative now more than ever that we continue to provide resources to independent artists at all stages of their career, uplifting marginalized narratives and