MACEF Filmmaking Grant Deadline Extended to September 30, 2023
The Mexican-American Cultural Education Foundation (MACEF), the non-profit whose mission is to change the intentionally distorted and damaging Mexican-American narrative by educating the community and supporting film television makers and their stories that will change that narrative, is currently accepting submissions for its 3rd annual $5K Filmmaking Grants. In addition, applicants for the filmmaking grants will automatically be entered into a chance to be chosen for one of 10 available slots for the inaugural Filmmakers Masters Workshop Series: From Film to Career. The deadline to submit for the grant and, in turn, for the Masters Workshop Series is September 30, 2023.
“The MACEF’s Filmmakers Masters Workshop Series is the latest addition to our efforts to provide our filmmakers with the tools to succeed and thus fulfill our mission to change the distorted and harmful narrative by telling our real story and educate the community about the true Mexican-American contribution,” said MACEF’s Board President Dr. Jose Luis Ruiz.
The Masters Workshop Series: From Film To Career is an interactive workshop for ten selected filmmakers who are currently developing a short drama or feature-length narrative film project and who wish to receive mentorship and guidance from master filmmakers to produce higher-level projects and develop a sustainable career in the film industry.
This series of workshops will be offered annually and will take place over three days starting in the Fall of 2023 and will focus on 1) Story and Screenplay, 2) Building the Film Team, and 3) Casting, financing, and distribution.
The ten participants will be selected by the Mexican American Education Cultural Education Foundation (MACEF) from applicants who demonstrate exemplary film accomplishments and whose current film project indicates a high potential for success as determined by a committee of veteran film professionals. The workshops are intended to help participants bring their film projects closer to completion and encourage planning for a lifetime career in motion picture production.
The Faculty of this workshop series will be legendary producer Moctesuma Esparza (Selena) and pioneering film and TV director Jesús Treviño (Prison Break), and moderated by MACEF founder and director Dr. José Luis Ruíz. The workshops will include the participation of veteran writers, producers, and directors who will engage the ten selected participants on a one-on-one basis.
Eligibility and Submissions for the MACEF Grant and Filmmakers Masters Workshop Series are one application. Consideration for both will be decided from the application for the 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 project’s viability. Non-stereotypical stories will have priority.
The deadline to apply is September 30, 2023. APPLY HERE. Grantees will have their film highlighted at the First Annual Mexican-American Film/Television Festival in May of 2024.