An Overview of the Just Films Program from the Ford Foundation Website
The goal of this new initiative is to advance social justice worldwide through the talent of emerging and established filmmakers.
THE CHALLENGE
With the explosion of digital media production over the past decade, there is far more film and video content available from which audiences can choose. But it remains a challenge for most documentary filmmakers to find support—and audiences—for works that address social issues in meaningful and compelling ways. JustFilms seeks to support courageous filmmakers to complete their important works and to help them reach a growing audience of engaged and socially conscious viewers.
WHAT WE’RE DOING
We believe that visual narratives play an indispensable role in the search for justice in society. They inspire imagination and new understanding, encourage civic dialogue and engagement, and showcase the rich diversity of the human experience. JustFilms supports works that educate, motivate and create positive change in people’s lives by conveying stories that have the power to transform how we think and act.
We seek to:
- Enlarge the conversation on issues of importance by investing in documentary films that capture people’s imaginations and engage them in shaping their futures.
- Expand the community of independent documentary filmmakers and lift the voices of new and innovative filmmakers from around the world.
- Help filmmakers craft important stories, and also develop strategies for finding and building audiences across a variety of platforms.
JustFilms will deepen the Ford Foundation’s support for hallmark documentary films. Building on 75 years of support for the visual arts, JustFilms will follow three distinct avenues for finding and supporting film projects that explore important social justice issues around the world.
Visit our Film Collection to see the films the Ford Foundation has supported.
Learn more about our Strategy and Partners, and how our approaches shape our Grant Making.