The Ford Foundation today (Jan. 19) announced a five-year, $50 million project to help fund social-issue filmmakers. JustFilms will invest $10 million a year over the next five years to back movie makers who often lack funding, the foundation said in a release. Heading up JustFilms will be respected documentarian Orlando Bagwell. Partnering are the CPB-backed ITVS and the Sundance Institute. The institute’s Sundance Film Festival kicks off Thursday.
“With JustFilms, the Ford Foundation is mapping out new ways to connect the dots between storytelling, technology, and change,” ITVS President Sally Fifer told Current in a statement. “ITVS looks forward to continuing our work with Ford and independent filmmakers to inspire and connect people through television, new media and innovative outreach.”