By Rebecca Green
In its ongoing commitment to amplify and support the role of the producer, Dear Producer is proud to be continuing the Dear Producer Award in 2024, and launching an open application for year three of the Award (in previous years, producers chosen for the Award were by industry recommendation only).
Four mid-career level producers will receive an unrestricted grant of $50,000 each, to be used at the producer’s discretion, and attend a retreat focused on rest and community-building with fellow Award recipients. In the spirit of paying it forward, each Award recipient will choose an emerging producer whom they will mentor for one year.
The Dear Producer Award has been created to lift a financial burden off independent producers who, despite the constant shifting of the business and challenges ahead, demonstrate a commitment to championing thought-provoking and original stories with passion and integrity and who give back to the independent film community through leadership and mentoring.
The Dear Producer Award is sponsored by Facet, which has established itself as a producer-focused fund, having previously awarded grants to both Dear Producer and the Documentary Producers Alliance.
Past recipients include: Diane Becker (NAVALNY, KING COAL), Liz Cardenas (7 DAYS, NEVER GOIN’ BACK, A GHOST STORY), Megan Gilbride (TOWER, FATHOM, DEAR MR. BRODY), Sabrina Schmidt Gordon (TO THE END, QUEST, DOCUMENTED), Sarah S. Kim (I WAS A SIMPLE MAN, AUGUST AT AKIKO’S, CROSSINGS), Kellen Quinn (A STILL SMALL VOICE, TIME, MIDNIGHT FAMILY), Avril Z. Speaks (JINN, AFRICAN AMERICA, UPROOTED) and Sarah Winshall (GIVE ME PITY!, WE’RE ALL GOING TO THE WORLD’S FAIR, STRAWBERRY MANSION).
To qualify for the Award, producers must:
- Have received a “Producer” or “Produced By” credit on at least two completed fiction and/or documentary feature-length films in which they did not fill another lead role on the film (i.e. director, writer, actor, cinematographer etc.);
- Demonstrate intentional leadership and creative vision;
- Participate in the film community through a generous spirit, leadership and/or mentorship;
- Currently reside in the United States.
To apply for the Dear Producer Award, please complete the application before 9pm ET on December 22, 2023.
To apply, you will need the following information ready:
- Your name, email and mailing address.
- Titles of two feature-length films (fiction and/or documentary) for which you received a “Producer” or “Produced By” credit.
- Name and year of any awards and/or grants you have received as a producer (awarded to you, not your films).
- Name and year of any labs or fellowships you’ve participated in as a producer.
- Your bio (no specific word count).
- Answer to the question (no specific word count): We would like a bird’s eye view of your professional life beyond your bio. What’s ahead for you in 2024? How many projects are on your slate and in what stage? Are you engaged in the industry outside of your projects such as being involved in an arts organization or filmmaker collective? In looking toward the future, what are the questions you’re asking about your career?
- $25 application fee paid via https://dearproducer.com/donate/
The application will close at 9pm ET on December 22, 2023.
If you have any questions about applying or issues with the application, please email hello@dearproducer.com