$150,000 Awarded to Documentaries That Tackle Urgent Social Issues and Explore Stories of Women From Around the Globe
A Majority of this Year’s Projects Showcase the Impact of Women Today in Political, Social and Religious Realms
Tribeca Film Institute® (TFI), Gucci and the Oath Foundation today announced the 2018 grant recipients for the Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund. The program, funded by Gucci with additional support from Oath Foundation, provides production and finishing finances, along with year-round support and guidance from TFI, to feature-length documentary films that highlight and humanize critical domestic and international social issues, particularly among women and girls. Six projects have been selected to receive a total of $150,000 in funding support.
Now entering its eleventh year, the fund has to date supported 85 films and provided more than $1.4 million in grants since its inception. This year, the supported projects spotlight a range of diverse issues including: the resolve of three female political candidates who are challenging powerful incumbents in Congress; the opioid crisis across the United States; the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico; an unlikely alliance formed during a religious war; and the story of three women officers who are fighting to transform and restore a community’s trust in the police department.
In addition to funding the production and post-production of select projects, Oath Foundation will also support the impact distribution and strategy campaign work for two projects, with the objective of having those films attain maximum reach and achieve social change. Leading industry marketing and advocacy firm Picture Motion will implement the impact work for these selected projects.
The grantees were selected by a jury comprised of: filmmaker DAWN PORTER (Gideon’s Army, Trapped, Bobby Kennedy for President); TILANE JONES, Vice President of ARRAY Releasing; SUE KROLL, Producer, A Star Is Born (2018); KATHERINE KEATING, Publisher at VICE Impact; BRYN MOOSER, Academy Award-nominated & Emmy-winning filmmaker and co-founder of RYOT; and Actress YARA SHAHIDI (Black-ish, Grown-ish).
“At a time of extreme social divisiveness both nationally and abroad, we are proud to be able to grant these filmmakers the opportunity to tell such important stories through the Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund,” said Amy Hobby, Executive Director of TFI. “These films tackle issues from around the world, and the backgrounds of the directors and producers reflect a wide diversity of those with important stories to tell. Thank you to our partners on this project – without Gucci and additional support from Oath Foundation, the backing of these films would not be possible.”
“As the 24-hour news cycle inundates us with constant, fast-paced information, we believe it is critically important to continue our support of thoughtful, in-depth coverage of global and domestic social issues through the Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund,” said Susan Chokachi, President and CEO, Gucci America. “We are proud that over its eleven years, 64% of the films supported through the fund have been made by female filmmakers, and that the fund focuses on films that bring attention to the lives of women and girls around the world, highlighting their many acts of courage and determination that are driving change. We need to continue to help tell these stories, to open the dialogue and to ask important questions.”
“Oath Foundation is focused on creating access and opportunity for women and girls around the world to help positively change the trajectory of their futures and their communities. These filmmakers are creating change by telling important stories, introducing new points of view and narratives that are all too often over-looked in the mainstream media. We’re incredibly proud to support the Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund and the 2018 recipients,” said Sara Link, President, Oath Foundation.
“I had a fantastic time reviewing the nominated documentaries. The depth and breadth of each film took us around the globe, exploring topics, many of which are undercovered and underexplored by news and other outlets. Each filmmaker was successful in brilliantly and engagingly approaching each topic with empathy,” said 2018 Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund Jury Member Yara Shahidi.
2018 Recipients of the Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund
KNOCK DOWN THE HOUSE
Directed by Rachel Lears
Produced by Robin Blotnick & Sarah Olson
In 2018, a young bartender in the Bronx, a coal miner’s daughter in West Virginia, a grieving mother in Nevada and a registered nurse in Missouri join a movement of insurgent candidates challenging powerful incumbents in Congress. Without political experience or corporate money, these women are attempting to do what many consider impossible — until one of them pulls off the most shocking political upset in recent American history.
MIDWIVES
Directed by Hnin Ei Hlaing (Snow)
Produced by Ulla Lehmann and Mila Aung-Thwin
MIDWIVES tells the story of two midwives who work side-by-side in a makeshift medical clinic in Myanmar.
A PLACE OF ABSENCE
Directed and Produced by Marialuisa Ernst
A Place of Absence follows the “Caravan of Women,” a group of 40 brave women from Central America who embark on an epic annual bus journey in a desperate search for their children. Their children, like 70,000 others, have disappeared without a trace while attempting to cross the US-Mexico border.
REENTRY
Directed by Jennifer Redfearn
Produced by Tim Metzger
In a midwestern state, battered by both the opioid crisis and high incarceration rates, three mothers prepare to return from prison to their communities and families. As they struggle to mend relationships with their children after years of separation, their stories show how poverty, drugs, and incarceration are destroying family ties, and how women working together can help each other rebuild their lives.
UNTITLED PUERTO RICO DOCUMENTARY
Directed and Produced by Cecilia Aldarondo
Produced by Ines Hofmann Kanna
Executive Produced by Laura Poitras and Charlotte Cook
Untitled Puerto Rico Documentary is a kaleidoscopic portrait of the aftermath of Hurricane María in Puerto Rico.
WOMEN IN BLUE
Directed and Produced by Deirdre Fishel
Produced by Beth Levison
Executive Produced by Abigail Disney and Gini Reticker
A high-profile police shooting rocks the Minneapolis Police Department, and its reform-minded first female chief is forced to resign. Following three women officers who carry on the fight to transform the MPD and restore community trust — Women in Blue explores gender, violence and policing in America.
About Tribeca Film Institute
TFI partners with storytellers and joins them in breaking barriers of access, exposure, and sustainability in the media landscape. The Institute prioritizes creators whose points of view have been marginalized due to race, gender, sexuality, class, and/or politics. Through grants, mentorship, industry connections, and professional development, TFI helps to ensure that storytellers from a multitude of backgrounds have access to the resources and tools they need to tell their stories, connect with audiences, and thrive in their careers. The Institute's educational programming leverages an extensive film community network to cultivate the next generation of storytellers. Through customized mentorships and curriculum-aligned film screening workshops, TFI provides New York City public school students with media literacy skills necessary to be creative and thoughtful global citizens. TFI was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in the wake of September 11, 2001 and is a 501(c)(3) year-round nonprofit arts organization.
About Gucci
Founded in Florence in 1921, Gucci is one of the world’s leading luxury fashion brands, with a renowned reputation for creativity, innovation and Italian craftsmanship. Gucci is part of the Kering Group, a world leader in apparel and accessories that owns a portfolio of powerful luxury and sport and lifestyle brands. For further information about Gucci, visit www.gucci.com.
About Oath Foundation
Oath Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation committed to creating opportunities for women, girls and investing in the next generation of young leaders through grant making to exceptional nonprofit organizations focused on these communities. The Foundation allocates its resources in four strategic areas, including fostering leadership and empowerment, improving economic opportunity, increasing access through education and technology, and cultivating creativity. For additional information on Oath Foundation please visit https://www.oath.com/our-story/oath-for-good/oath-foundation/.
