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Cinereach Announces Winter 2011 Grant Recipients

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Reva Goldberg
[email protected]
212.727.3224 x111

CINEREACH ANNOUNCES NEW GRANT RECIPIENTS

$400,000 Awarded to 13 Films

www.cinereach.org
cinereach.org/grants/grants-recipients

New York, NY (April 5, 2011) – Cinereach today announced $400,000 in grants to thirteen feature-length films. The selected nonfiction, fiction and hybrid films exemplify Cinereach’s commitment to funding vital stories, artfully told. In its most competitive grant cycle to date, Cinereach received over 1000 submissions from more than 70 countries.

Cinereach supports first-time feature directors, as well as filmmakers building on prior achievements and moving in new directions. The selected films also range from the early research and development phase to the final stages of post-production.

“As a group, these new projects tackle a number of timely themes and topics from unexpected viewpoints,” said Cinereach Grants Manager Adella Ladjevardi.  “We are excited for the many surprises that will be revealed as each one progresses towards completion.”

The Winter 2011 grant recipients include two fiction, ten nonfiction and one hybrid works-in-progress:

The Angola Project
Dir. Jeremy Xido | Angola | Nonfiction | In Research & Development
A post-colonial western-meets-road film about the fevered reconstruction of the Benguela Transcontinental Railway and the African and Chinese lives that are intertwined because of it.

Diamond, Silver & Gold
Dir. Jason Kohn | USA | Nonfiction | In Production
A look into the origins of life, synthetic diamonds and other nagging problems.

The Great Invisible
Dir. Margaret Brown | USA | Nonfiction | In Production
An observational documentary about the Gulf oil spill and the resulting moratorium on drilling in the Gulf.

In the Last Days of the City
Dir. Tamer El Said | Egypt | Fiction | In Post-Production
A filmmaker comes of age in a city on the brink of revolution.

Just Do It: A Tale of Modern Day Outlaws
Dir. Emily James | UK | Nonfiction | In Post-Production
An observational documentary providing unprecedented access to the environmental direct action movement in the UK.

Montana Medical Marijuana Film
Dir. Rebecca Richman Cohen | USA | Nonfiction | In Production
Reflecting the controversies enveloping the marijuana industry throughout the United States, Montana braces itself to become the first state to repeal a medical marijuana law.

Narco Cultura
Dir. Shaul Schwarz | Mexico/USA | Nonfiction | In Production
An in-depth and vivid exploration of a new, powerful culture fueled by the cartels responsible for Mexico’s deadly drug wars.

The Patron Saints
Dir. Melanie Shatzky & Brian Cassidy | USA | Hybrid | In Post-Production
A disquieting and hyperrealistic glimpse into life at a nursing home.

The Scribe of Uraba
Dir. Jeff & Michael Zimbalist | USA/Colombia | Fiction | In Development
When her father is murdered in rural Colombia, Alcira Gil embarks on a quest for justice that is larger than her family, her village, or even her country.

States
Dir. David Soll | USA/Southern Sudan/Western Sahara | Nonfiction | In Research & Development
The world’s only freelance diplomats guide non-states in their struggle for recognition, through the pageantry of international affairs.

Strong Island
Dir. Yance Ford | USA | Nonfiction | In Production
A documentary about the violent death of the filmmaker’s brother nearly 20 years ago, and how the collision of silence, fear and the judiciary allowed his killer to go free.

Ushio + Noriko
Dir. Zachary Heinzerling | USA | Nonfiction | In Post-Production
A meditation on companionship, sacrifice, and the creative spirit, this love story explores the chaotic forty-year marriage of two New York-based, Japanese artists.

The Vanquishing of the Witch Baba Yaga
Dir. Jessica Oreck | Russia/Poland/Ukraine | Nonfiction | In Post-Production
A descent into the woodlands of Eastern Europe that uncovers the secrets of the mysterious mushroom and the mythic qualities of the forest it inhabits.

Cinereach Ltd.

Cinereach is a not-for-profit film production company and foundation that champions vital stories, artfully told. Created and led by young philanthropists, entrepreneurs and filmmakers, Cinereach empowers fiction and nonfiction filmmakers from all over the world through its Grants & Awards, the Reach Film Fellowship and Productions; and through partnerships with the Sundance Institute and others. Since 2006, Cinereach has disbursed over $4.5 million in grant funds to more than 90 projects at the intersection of engaging storytelling, visual artistry and vital subject matter.

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