2016 Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund Grantees Announced

Today, the International Documentary Association (IDA) announced that eight feature-length documentary films have been selected to receive a total of $130,000 from the IDA Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund. These grants were awarded in 2016 and the first quarter of 2017.

The Pare Lorentz Documentary fund was created in 2011 with support from The New York Community trust to honor the legacy of legendary American documentary filmmaker Pare Lorentz by making grants to documentary projects that shed light on critical issues in the United States and focus on Lorentz’s central concerns—the appropriate use of the natural environment, justice for all and the illumination of social problems.

Documentaries receiving production support focus on a variety of pressing US issues such as environmental and economic threats to indigenous communities, criminal justice reform, gun violence, domestic violence and immigration. Grantees were chosen for their artful storytelling and strong visual style, as well as their reflection of the spirit and nature of Pare Lorentz’s work.

“Pare Lorentz was far ahead of his time in his belief that artful cinematic stories could respond to big questions, enlighten and engage audiences, and have immense social impact.” said IDA Executive Director, Simon Kilmurry. “At the heart of IDA's mission is supporting documentarians and their creative ability to challenge paradigms through their artform and storytelling.  The Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund is a natural extension of IDA's filmmaker services and programming."

“The strongest themes that run through all of the films selected so far this year are community and activism,” said Director of Filmmaker Services, Amy Halpin. “Facing enormous challenges, the subjects of these films provide us with a blueprint for grassroots change. Even the heaviest subject matter is infused with hope for the future.”
Documentaries receiving funding are:

• Those that Breathe, directed by Kitra Cahana and Ed Ou, produced by Becky Korman

• The Surrender of Waymond Hall, directed and produced by Jane Greenberg

• Quest, directed by Jonathan Olshefski, produced by Sabrina Schmidt Gordon

• Patrimonio, directed and produced by Lisa F. Jackson and Sarah Teale

• The Fourth Kingdom, directed by Adán Aliaga and Àlex Lora, produced by Isa Feliu and Carmen Vida

• Three Rising Towers, directed and produced by Hunter Robert Baker and Jordan Fein

• 93Queen, directed and produced by Paula Eiselt, produced by Heidi Reinberg

• Home Truth, directed by April Hayes and Katia Maguire

For a complete description of films, click here.

Since its inception the Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund has provided $600,000 in funding to 32 documentary films. Previous grantees include Whose Streets?, The Return, Newtown and The Bad Kids .The Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund is continuing to accept applications through July and will be making another round of grant awards this fall. For more information about IDA’s filmmaker support programs including upcoming grant deadlines for the Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund and IDA’s Enterprise Documentary Fund, visit www.documentary.org/funding.