Finalists Showcase Unique and Socially Impactful Projects from Across the Independent Film Landscape
From the Heart Productions is delighted to announce the finalists for the Summer 2024 Roy W. Dean Grant. These talented independent filmmakers have been chosen to compete for the grant which that supports original projects that unique projects that make a contribution to society, The winner will receive $3,500 in cash and a host of invaluable donated resources from film industry professionals to help bring their films to life.
“We’re thrilled to have so many incredible filmmakers in the running for this grant,” said Carole Dean, President of From the Heart Productions. “These finalists represent the future of independent filmmaking, and their work embodies the courage, creativity, and passion that this grant was created to support.”
Donations going to the winner of the Roy W. Grant for Summer include:
- A $1,295 scholarship to Writers Boot Camp, applicable to online or live Professional Membership sessions
- $500 in grip, lighting, or expendables from Filmtools
- Original music and discounted sound mixing by Jeff Alan of Alan Audio Works
- A 30% discount on music post-production services from Jerry Deaton at AudioKut
- and more from many heartfelt donors.
Finalists for the Roy W. Dean Film Grant for Summer 2024 are:
| Title | Type | Filmmaker |
| “From a Darkened Room – The Diary of a Nobody” | Documentary Feature | Lisa Palattella |
| “Missing While Black” | Fiction Short | Chris Anthony Hamilton |
| “Plain Genius: Women Who Built America” | Documentary Feature | Chris Enss |
| “God, Guts and Grit – The Legacy of Nina Paul Shumway” | Documentary Feature | John Kalb |
| “Rebranding Peace” | Documentary Feature | Cheryl Jacobs Crim |
| “XENA: No Apologies” | Documentary Feature | Judy Kim |
| “Riding Legacy: An Oklahoma Black Cowboy Story” | Documentary Feature | Kristina Lennon |
| “96 lbs. of Dynamite” | Documentary Feature | Loren Goldfarb |
| “The Atonemment” | TV, Web, or New Media Series | Vanessa Anthony |
| “Fading Truths” | Fiction Feature | Athena Cosby |
| “Deja Vu” | Fiction Short | Serena Sogules |
| “Exodus” | Documentary Short | Nimco Sheikhaden |
| “Reservation Redemption” | Documentary Feature | Brenda Fisher |
| “Girl Crush” | Fiction Feature | Grace Melon |
| “Beyond the Tipping Point” | Documentary Feature | Felix Mack |
| “Call Me Moab” | Documentary Short | Ryan Pierce |
| “Celebrating Laughter, The Life and Films of Colin Higgins” | Documentary Feature | Nicholas Eliopoulos |
| “Harvey: Eyes on the Struggle” | Documentary Feature | Theodore Lieverman |
Finalists also have the opportunity to showcase their films on the From the Heart Productions website, allowing them to share project details, including filmmaker bios, images, loglines, and links to their websites or social media platforms.
About the Roy W. Dean Grant
Since its inception in 1992, the Roy W. Dean Grant has awarded over $2,000,000 in cash and donated film services to independent films. The grant is awarded to films budgeted under $500,000 that is unique and that make a contribution to society.
Offering four grants for filmmakers each year, The Roy W. Dean Grant has been an important lifeline for independent filmmakers helping them to get their projects started or finished. Without assistance from the grant, many excellent and important films may never have been made.
Past winners of the grant include 2021 Emmy winners Belly of the Beast and The Love Bugs , as well as Sundance Film Festival selection Raise Hell: The Life and Times of Molly Ivins, and acclaimed documentary Kusama-Infinity.
About From the Heart Productions
From The Heart Productions is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to helping filmmakers get their projects funded and made. Besides providing funding through the grant, they offer film fiscal sponsorship to filmmakers. In addition to personal guidance, free classes on fundraising and filmmaking, the program allows donations made to films to be tax deductible. From The Heart has helped independent filmmakers raise over $30 million through their fiscal sponsorship program.
