On Saturday, August 18th, 3-5pm, Doculink LA hosted a "Meet the Funders" event with a panel of funders who educated us about the ins and outs of raising money for the documentary. The panel included funders and independent filmmakers from the Sundance Documentary Fund, the Fledgling Fund, and the Cal Humanities. In direct response to requests for this type of event, this panel covered: how to raise funds for the independent documentary, including research and development, production, post-production and distribution phases, the difference between foundations and other types of film funds, what types of amounts filmmakers can expect to raise from each funder, and, most importantly, what makes a compelling application. Bios about our speakers: JOHN LIGHTFOOT is a Program Officer at Cal Humanities. Cal Humanities promotes the humanities as relevant, meaningful ways to understand the human condition and connect us to each other in order to become a better California. As an independent, non-profit state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Cal Humanities was originally founded in 1975 as a granting organization, but through the years it has created and implemented its own signature humanities programs and projects. Cal Humanities now plays a critical role across the state in producing, funding, and supporting cultural experiences and events. EMILY VERELLEN is the Director of Programs and Communications at the Fledgling Fund. With approximately $1.5 million in funding disbursed annually, Fledgling is interested in making strategic grants and investments that help fledgling projects take flight. It looks for opportunities where its funding can play a key role in the life of a creative media project that we think has the potential to ignite social change. Typically, these are grants at a critical stage of a media project where timely funding could amplify its social impact. When possible Fledgling uses a three-pronged approach that includes funding for an innovative film or media project, funding for a strategic outreach and audience engagement campaign, as well as financial support for the community- based organizations that are committed to the issues raised in the film. RICK PEREZ, SUNDANCE DOCUMENTARY FUND. Since its inception, the Fund has supported more than 500 films in 61 countries. A committee of human rights experts and film professionals make recommendations from projects submitted by filmmakers from around the world. The Fund reviews between 1,400 and 2,000 proposals annually, choosing 35-50 for support each year. In fundingsuch work, the Documentary Fund encourages the diverse exchange of ideas that is crucial to fostering an open society and public dialogue about contemporary issues. The Documentary Fund provides grants to filmmakers worldwide for projects that display: Artful and innovative storytelling techniques, global relevance, contemporary social issues, and potential for social engagement. Shot/edited by: Stephon Litwinczuk www.stephonlitwinczuk.com

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