The Mexican-American Cultural Education Foundation (MACEF) has officially announced the opening of the submission period for the 3rd Annual Mexican-American Cultural Education Foundation Filmmaker Grant. The deadline to submit is September 15, 2023.
The mission of MACEF is to address the negative image of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans/Chicanos who have been largely portrayed in the media through degrading stereotypes such as criminals, the help, lazy, illegal invaders, and uneducated, with devastating effects on the community. The mission includes The Mexican-American Film and Television Festival & Awards which was designed to provide Mexican-American/Chicano filmmakers, who represent 40 million Americans of Mexican descent, a venue to showcase, promote, and celebrate their work. to promote positive media content, as well as foster future Mexican-American Chicana/o filmmakers.
As films, TV, and media content online and on social media have a tremendous impact on the narrative, perception, and reputation of our community, MACEF launched the MACEF Filmmaking Grants with the intention of promoting a more accurate portrayal of our community.
The grants awards are part of MACEF’s overall three-pronged approach to achieving its mission which includes:
The MACEF Filmmaker Scholarship will further the education of aspiring filmmakers who want to enter the film/television industry.
The MACEF Filmmaker Grant. This year two $5,000 grants will be awarded to selected filmmakers.
The Mexican-American Film/Television Festival, Grants and Awards, a yearly event celebrating and sponsoring films, television, and streaming content made by Mexican-American/Chicana/os with positive and true-to-life stories, slated for May of 2024.
Eligibility and Submissions Process for the MACEF Film Grant
Who Can Apply:
Individuals already in the industry or starting out who need funds to finish their short film, a feature-length film, or a TV pilot to put it on the market.
Film school students working on their thesis film are encouraged to apply.
Filmmakers of any background can apply, however, the production team must include at least one producer, writer, or director, and one main actor who identifies as Mexican-American or Chicana/o, of any generation or mixed ethnicity.
Qualifying:
To qualify for this grant, the applicant must submit the script of the short film, feature-length film, or TV pilot, and be in an advanced stage of pre-production, production, or post-production.
Qualifying films will be assessed for the quality of the story, culturally positive content, the production team assembled, and the viability of the project. Non-stereotypical stories will have priority.
Submission deadline: September 15, 2023
Grantees will have their film highlighted at the First Annual Mexican-American Film/Television Festival in May of 2024.