Los Angeles, CA (April 3, 2018) – Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB), a non-profit organization funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, today announced its new Current Issues Fund (CIF), which will provide production and post-production funding to documentary films (60 or 90 minutes only) exploring contemporary civic and social justice issues that integrate the Latino American perspective, incorporate a journalistic approach into the filmmaking process and have resonance for a national audience. At a time when civic and social divides seem deeper and more intractable than ever, this new fund will enable LPB to support more issue-based Latino-themed documentary films and share these important stories throughout the public media system.
Made possible by a grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the fund will offer grants ranging from $40,000 up to $100,000 to Latino/a producers and directors whose projects explore timely issues, demonstrate artistic storytelling, and have the potential to engage communities in civic discourse beyond the broadcast.
“This is a pivotal time for Latino Americans, with exclusion, inequality, civic and social divides on the rise,” says Sandie Viquez Pedlow, executive director of Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB). “The importance of giving voice and ‘air time’ to Latino issues and concerns at this time in our history cannot be understated.”
“We are extremely grateful to the MacArthur Foundation for recognizing the need for this initiative and making it a reality,” says Edward James Olmos, LPB Chairman of the Board. “Now more than ever, as our country grapples with its new reality as a multiracial, minority-majority nation, it’s imperative that Latino documentary filmmakers are empowered to make films that go beyond sound bites and ‘fake news’ and dig deep into the issues facing us all.”
Applications for funding through the Current Issues Fund (CIF) must be submitted to the LPB Funding Cycle 2018 online application process at http://lpbp.org/funding-guidelines/. Deadline: June 4, 2018, 5 PM.
About Latino Public Broadcasting
Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB) is the leader in the development, production, acquisition and distribution of non-commercial educational and cultural media that is representative of Latino people, or addresses issues of particular interest to Latino Americans. These programs are produced for dissemination to public broadcasting stations and other public telecommunication entities. Latino Public Broadcasting provides a voice to the diverse Latino community throughout the United States and is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Latino Public Broadcasting produces the series VOCES, PBS’ signature Latino arts and culture documentary showcase and the only ongoing national television series devoted to exploring and celebrating the rich diversity of the Latino cultural experience. Between 2009 and 2016, LPB programs have won over 85 awards, including the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award as well as two Emmys, two Imagen Awards and the Sundance Grand Jury Prize. In addition, LPB has been the recipient of the Norman Lear Legacy Award and the NCLR Alma Award for Special Achievement.
About the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur is placing a few big bets that truly significant progress is possible on some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including over-incarceration, global climate change, nuclear risk, and significantly increasing financial capital for the social sector. In addition to the MacArthur Fellows Program, the Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsible and responsive democracy, as well as the strength and vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago.
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