The LEF Foundation‘s Moving Image Fund has announced 9 grants, three of which are being awarded to previous Cinereach grantees. A total of $165,000 is being distributed to independent documentary filmmakers with feature-length films – six production grants of $15,000 and three post-production grants of $25,000.

LEF is a private family foundation that seeks to identify and promote creative ventures and to sponsor work that challenges its audience with new ways of perceiving the world. The Moving Image Fund supports film projects that demonstrate excellence in technique, strong storytelling ability, and originality of artistic vision and voice. Click here for the full announcement.

Three Cinereach grantees received $15,000 production grants:

Image courtesy of Mosuo Sisters

The Mosuo Sisters, a film by Yu Ying Wu Chou & Marlo Poras, about two spirited daughters from China’s last remaining matriarchal society. Their future is suddenly uncertain when they lose the only jobs they’ve ever known.

Image courtesy of Untitled Gay Retiree Documentary

Untitled Gay Retiree Documentary, by Sara Giustini & PJ Raval, is set against the backdrop of various LGBTQ-friendly retirement communities. This documentary captures the experiences of several LGBTQ seniors as they navigate their “golden years.”

Beth Murphy’s What Tomorrow Brings takes us to the village of Deh Subz in Afghanistan, where an American-sponsored girls’ school is challenging centuries of conservative social tradition.

Image courtesy of What Tomorrow Brings

Upcoming LEF Moving Image Fund grant deadlines for projects seeking pre-production support are June 18, 2010 and September 17, 2010. Please click here for guidelines and eligibility.