THE DEBRIEF

Community,

November is moving fast, and so are we. We've got concrete opportunities, critical deadlines, and one urgent ask: show up for the MiFILM Make News Showcase on November 14th.

What You'll Find Inside:

• MiFILM Make News Showcase — November 14th at American Cinematheque (tickets selling fast)

• Festival partnerships spotlighting MiFILM filmmakers at Urban World & PROOF

• 20% Urban World discount code for our community

• Film grants with November-December deadlines — verified and fact-checked

•  Emergency food resources — NYC, LA, and nationwide support as SNAP benefits pause
  

  Let's get to work.

Community Partnerships

Urban World Film Festival — Happening NOW Through November 2nd

Right now—as you're reading this—one of the most important cultural moments in independent cinema is unfolding in New York City. Urban World Film Festival is celebrating its 29th year of Storytelling, Innovation & Culture, and this year marks a seismic shift in how we build power for filmmakers of color.

Historic Partnership Alert: In September 2025, Urban World founder Stacy Spikes (yes, the same visionary who created MoviePass and now leads it again) joined forces with Beverly Bond, founder of BLACK GIRLS ROCK!®, in a groundbreaking alliance that integrates BGR! Film Fest into Urban World's ecosystem. 

What This Means For You:

• The largest Academy Award-qualifying Black and multicultural film festival just expanded its reach and resources

• More pathways from proof-of-concept to feature production

• Enhanced visibility for filmmakers at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities

• Industry partnerships with HBO, Warner Bros Discovery, and Comcast creating real distribution opportunities

2025 Festival Highlights Include:

• "The Ebony Canal" - Narrated by Viola Davis, this award-winning documentary tackles infant mortality and maternal health disparities among Black and Brown women

• "A House of Dynamite" - High-stakes political thriller about unattributed missile attacks

• "White History Month" - Raw, revealing confrontation about race, failure, and second chances

• Innovation Summit exploring what's new and next in film and cross-platform media

🎟️ EXCLUSIVE: MiFILM Community Discount for Urban World

Use code MIFUW2520 for 20% off Urban World passes and tickets.

REGISTER NOW →

PROOF Film Festival — Coming Up November 7-9

PROOF Film Festival is where big ideas get their first breath. Powered by American Cinematheque and curated by visionary filmmaker Imani Davis, PROOF has become the premier destination for proof-of-concept shorts—those 5-20 minute calling cards that say "here's the feature I'm building toward."

3rd Annual Edition Expansion: This year, PROOF isn't just screening films—it's investing in futures. The festival now includes:

• 38 official selections curated into thematic programs exploring genre, identity, and formal innovation

• Industry panels with decision-makers who can greenlight your next project

• Development funds through newly created PROOF awards

• Special screenings showcasing successful proof-to-feature pipelines

Why PROOF? :

• Festival director Imani Davis centers BIPOC and underrepresented voices in every programming decision

• Proof-of-concept format is the most cost-effective way to demonstrate your vision to funders and studios

• American Cinematheque backing means year-round programming opportunities beyond the festival

• Culver City location puts you at the geographic heart of the industry

The PROOF Formula: Show us 15 minutes of what could be. If it's undeniable, we'll help you build the other 75.

Get Tickets to PROOF 2025 | View Festival Lineup

TICKET GIVEAWAY: Interested in attending PROOF FIlm Festival on behalf of Minorities in FIlm? We’re offering 1 (one) member an ALL ACCESS PASS to the festival as representatives. Reply to this email by November 1st to register interest. 

Must be local to LA. 

NYC: IMMERSIVE SCREENING — November 22nd

MiFILM partners with Storiesbound for an immersive community experience featuring local and international filmmakers across the horror/thriller genre. Think: premium artist experience, sunset DJ set, interactive civic engagement through live polling and real-time data visualization, plus Q&A with filmmakers.

This event centers financial empowerment for minorities in film while capturing consented wellness and civic signals from our community. Your participation builds data that supports future programming.

🎟️ REGISTER NOW (Approval-based registration)

💰 GRANT RESOURCES: Fund Your Vision

The money's out there. Here are verified opportunities with applications open RIGHT NOW or closing soon:

🔥 URGENT — Closing October 30, 2025:

• Ford Foundation JustFilms Documentary Grant - Feature-length documentary production grants for films advancing social justice worldwide. Supports artist-driven projects that creatively intersect with human rights, freedom of expression, and social movements. Deadline: October 30, 2025, 11:59 PM ET

LGBTQ+ Filmmaker Grants:

• NewFest New Voices Filmmaker Grant - $25,000 unrestricted grants to 4 emerging LGBTQ+ directors, plus mentorship and networking opportunities. Partnership with Netflix. Applications currently open. Deadline: February 13, 2026 (extended timeline confirmed)

• Frameline Completion Fund - Up to $5,000 for the completion of LGBTQ+ films. Supports final editing, sound mixing, color correction, and lab work. Projects must be at least 90% complete. Rolling deadline through September 26, 2026

Documentary Filmmaker Grants:

• Chicken & Egg Films Research & Development Grant - Supports women and gender-expansive filmmakers in research or development phases. Grants vary, with Netflix backing. Deadline: February 4, 2026

• Film Independent Documentary Story Lab 2026 - Intensive development for documentary directors with projects in final production or early post-production stages. Includes mentorship and year-long support. Non-Member Deadline: December 15, 2025 | Member Extended Deadline: January 5, 2026

• Sundance Documentary Fund - Non-recoupable grants for independent nonfiction films with budgets under $1.2 million. Supports development, production, and post-production. Next deadline: July 14, 2026 (Note: Applications were just awarded for 2025 cycle in September; next window opens mid-2026)

BIPOC & Underrepresented Voices:

• Film Independent Amplifier Fellowship - $30,000 unrestricted grant for six Black artists on the verge of breakthrough, supported by Netflix. Nomination-based only (selections made by February 2026; watch for nomination announcements)

• Black Film Space Emerging Filmmaker Grant-  $3,000 to an emerging filmmaker ready to bring their story to life. Must serve as the Writer/Director/Producer. Must not have held the three positions on another film. Deadline: November 12th 2025. 

Emerging & First-Time Filmmakers:

• Wavelength WAVE Grant - $5,000 seed grants for female and gender non-conforming BIPOC filmmakers directing their first short film. Applications open October 15, 2025 through November 16, 2025

📌 🍲 COMMUNITY KITCHENS & FOOD RESOURCES

With SNAP benefits frozen starting November 1st, food insecurity is hitting our community hard. But mutual aid is resistance. Here's where you can get support or contribute:

New York City Resources:

• NYC Food Help Finder - Interactive map of 800+ pantries, soup kitchens, and mobile pantries across all five boroughs. Available 24/7

• Food Bank For NYC - Community Kitchen - West Harlem location (2200 Church St) offering pantry groceries, hot meals, healthcare screening, and benefits assistance. Open Monday-Friday

• NY Common Pantry - East Harlem (8 E 109th St) providing dignity-centered food access, SNAP enrollment help, and nutrition education. Multiple distribution times weekly

• City Harvest - NYC's largest food rescue organization delivering nutritious food for free to New Yorkers experiencing hunger. Network of 400+ partner sites

Los Angeles Resources:

• LA Regional Food Bank - Multiple distribution sites across LA County. Use their online locator to find nearest pantry. Call 323-234-3030 for assistance

• St. Francis Center - Downtown LA (416 E Pico Blvd) offering daily meals and groceries. Open 7 days a week

• Food Forward - Fresh produce recovery and distribution throughout LA. Focuses on food deserts and underserved neighborhoods

National & Emergency Support:

• Feeding America Food Bank Locator - Search by ZIP code to find nearest food bank nationwide

• Dial 2-1-1 - Free confidential service connecting you to local food assistance, housing support, and emergency services. Available 24/7 in all 50 states

• SNAP Application Support - Even if payments are delayed, getting approved NOW establishes eligibility for backpay once funding resumes

Filmmaker-Specific Mutual Aid:

• Many production unions and guilds have emergency relief funds for members facing food insecurity

• SAG-AFTRA, DGA, and WGA all have hardship assistance programs—check with your local chapter

• The Actors Fund - Provides emergency financial assistance, including food support, for entertainment industry workers

DONATE TO SUPPORT MINORITIES IN FILM

This year Minorities in Film celebrate 5 years of grassroots organizing. We’ve developed pipeline programming in the Commercial, Narrative and New Media space supporting over 250+ filmmakers, and nurturing 32 Directors. But we still have more work to do! Consider contributing to help us deepen our work within the communities that need it most by investing in MiFILM, you’re investing supporting a global talent network and opportunities for your next great collaborator.

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