Rooftop Films Announces 2023 Filmmakers Fund Grant Recipients (EXCLUSIVE)

Rooftop Films has announced the recipients of their 2023 Filmmakers Fund grants. A total of 21 cash and service grants will be awarded to a variety of independent filmmakers to support the production of their next short or feature film. Four Rooftop Films Water Tower Feature Film cash grants will be exclusively awarded with support from the Laurence W. Levine Foundation.

Rooftop Filmmakers Fund grants are made accessible to Rooftop Films alumni directors who have had their work screened during the annual Sumer Series in New York City. This years grantees include a demographic of over 60% women, 30% people of color and 10% people a part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Were unbelievably excited about the projects weve had the privilege of helping to fund this year! Every single one of these filmmakers approach their subjects in ways that are wholly unique to their style and vision, and we cant wait to see the finished works, as we know theyll undoubtedly be considered future pillars of independent cinema, said Rooftop Films senior programmer, Maria Rhodes.

Some of the recipients include Alex Ross Perry, Carlos Lpez Estrada, Jodie Mack, Madeleine Sims-Fewer Dusty Mancinelli and Reid Davenport.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of supporting filmmakers is getting the opportunity to witness their authentic and uncompromised exploration firsthand. The characters in Carlos Lpez Estradas Kill Yr Idols, jump directly off the page and into both heart and mind. Artists like Estrada, Reid Davenport, Jodie Mack, Dusty Mancinelli, and Madeleine Sims-Fewer engender a sense of trust with their audiences and creative teams, making it possible for them to create such deeply exhilarating cinema. We cant wait to spend time with each of their works on the big screen, said Laurence W. Levine Foundation board member James Levine.

Since their conception in 2000, Rooftop Films has awarded a surplus of $2,000,000 cash and service grants to support the notable work of varying filmmakers. Past recipients include Nikyatu Jusus Sundance-winning Nanny, Benh Zeitlins Beasts of the Southern Wild, Eliza Hittmans Never Rarely Sometimes Always and Jessica Kingdons Ascension.

See the full list of grant recipients below.

Water Tower Feature Film Cash Grants (Feature Film) Carlos Lpez Estrada Kill Yr Idols

Jodie Mack Early Mourning, Tarpon Springs/Lindseys Color Service

Madeleine Sims-Fewer Dusty Mancinelli Honey Bunch

Reid Davenport Life After

Eastern Effects Equipment Grant (Feature Film) Alex Ross Perry Pavements

NYCEDCBrooklyn Army Terminal Production Office Grant (Feature Film) Cheryl Furjanic Adventures in Miscarriage

Sierra Pettengill Steel (Working Title)

EdgeworxPost Production Effects Grant (Feature Film) James P. Gannon Matt Ferrin Hardpan

Irving Harvey Color Correction Grant (Feature Film) Elizabeth Lo Untitled Mistress Dispeller Project

ParabolicSound Mix Grant (Feature Film) Andrew Thomas Huang Tiger Girl

Adrienne Shelley FoundationGrant for Women (Short Film) Ash Brandon PAT! PAT! PAT!

DCTVGrants (Short Film) Julia Mendoza Friedman Jason, Champion

Sister Sylvester (director, co-producer) Laudiceia Calixto (co-producer) The Maids The Maids

UntouchableScoring Grant (Short Film) Julia Mendoza Friedman Jason, Champion

Elkind Lighting CameraGrant (Short Film) Sister Sylvester (director, co-producer) Laudiceia Calixto (co-producer) The Maids The Maids

Rooftop Films Kayla Thomas Filmmaker Grants(Short Film) Stephen Neary Living with a Visionary

Sean Pecknold Thank You, My Friend

Rooftop Filmmakers Fund Short Film Grants Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan Antropicalia: The Modern Prometheus

Kate E. Hinshaw Teflon Body Rot

Kati Skelton The Arbiter

Ryan Weibush The Prairie Cuts