Applications are open for the NYWIFT (New York Women in Film & Television) Loreen Arbus Disability Awareness Grant. Now in its 15th year, the grant is provided by disability rights advocate Loreen Arbus and awards $6,500 to a woman filmmaker for a film about physical or developmental disability issues.
“Courtesy of Michele Spitz, Woman of Her Word will produce the winning film’s audio description asset as a post-production in kind grant,” a press release details. The donation will “allow for the film to be accessible for blind or visually impaired audiences. ReelAbilities Film Festival, the largest disabilities film festival in North America, will provide captioning service for the selected film as well as support of the film’s outreach and distribution, through the ReelAbilities North American network of festivals and beyond.”
The deadline to apply is March 10. You can find more information about eligibility and apply via NYWIFT’s website.
Faith Stongheart received the most recent NYWIFT Loreen Arbus Disability Awareness Grant for “Faith Brings the Wild,” her film exploring the impact of growing up as a child during the hippie movement, and the aftermath of being nearly fatally burned as a seven-month-old infant.
“We at NYWIFT at proud to partner with Loreen Arbus again this year to amplify the voices of those with physical and developmental disabilities. These stories are always strengthened by their honesty, intimacy, and, most importantly, their hope. These films teach us human lessons on endurance and sensitivity from unique points of view. I find them endlessly inspiring and look forward to seeing what this round of submissions has in store,” said NYWIFT CEO Cynthia Lopez.
Arbus added, “Not only is it important to give incentive to people with disability who are pursuing their dream of becoming filmmakers, but this grant in and of itself raises awareness since it’s offered through organizations that have a vibrant membership. NYWIFT is a preeminent organization in the entertainment industry. My nine grants have visibility throughout the entire country and reach different members of organizations which exponentially increases the number of people who will think about advancing people with disability through their art.”
