Provocative Short Film “Degree of Certainty” Honored for Unique Vision and Societal Impact
From the Heart Productions a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to helping independent filmmakers create unique films that make a contribution to society, is proud to announce the recipient of the 2024 Carole Dorothy Joyce Grant for Student Filmmakers: Degree of Certainty, written and directed by Simon Schneider and produced by Maxwell Kagan.
This annual grant honors exceptional student filmmakers whose work offers a fresh voice, bold storytelling, and a meaningful perspective on the world. Degree of Certainty, a 15-minute proof-of-concept short for a feature-length film, was selected for its provocative and urgent narrative exploring the societal consequences of individual choices within corporate and economic systems.
“This is a film that dares to ask hard questions about how we got here and where we go next,” said Carole Joyce, Director of the Roy W. Dean Grant and namesake of the Carole Dorothy Joyce Grant. “Degree of Certainty shows us how a single choice can shape the future—for better or worse. We are honored to support Simon and Maxwell as they bring this powerful story to life.”
In addition to a $3,000 cash prize, the grant winner will receive an incredible suite of industry perks donated by passionate film-supporting companies and individuals, including:
- 35% discount for lighting services from PASKAL LIGHTING
- 10% discount on Broker Fee with Debbie West from Movie Insure
- 15% off expendables from Filmtools
- And more in-kind support designed to help student filmmakers succeed
About the Film
Based on real events, Degree of Certainty looks back 50 years to a moment when a small group of people had the chance to change the world—and chose not to. The film examines the forces that influenced them, drawing a compelling parallel to the choices facing society today.
Writer/director Simon Schneider, currently a Directing Fellow at the American Film Institute Conservatory (Class of 2025), shares:
“As the son of a judge and a psychologist who grew up in reunited Germany in the ’90s, I learned early on that we can solve the problems of our time when we act together on a common factual basis. I believe in the power of cinema to make complex issues emotionally tangible and awaken a collective will for change.”
Degree of Certainty has already received acclaim, winning the Amazon Innovative Storytellers Grant and being named a finalist for both the Roy W. Dean Grant and the Carole Dorothy Joyce Grant prior to its win.
Follow the journey of Degree of Certainty on Instagram at @degreeofcertainty_film.
About the Filmmakers
Simon Schneider – Writer/Director Graduated 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in film directing from ifs international film school Cologne, Germany. He worked as a director and writer for German public television and participated in the young filmmakers program TP2 Talentpool. His short film MADE IN GERMANY won the 2022 Audience Award at the Max Ophüls Preis Film Festival and the Fest Award at the FEST New Directors New Films Festival. His work has been screened at film festivals worldwide and been broadcasted on networks like ARD, ARTE and Disney+. Since 2023 he is a directing fellow at the AFI American Film Institute Conservatory, Class of 2025.
Maxwell Kagan – Producer Maxwell Kagan is an American writer/producer with a B.A. from New York University. He has a background in film and TV development at Marc Platt Productions and Sight Unseen, as well as several years in entertainment law and artist management for clients like Charlie Puth and Lauren Spencer-Smith. Since 2023, he has been a producing fellow at AFI Conservatory (Class of 2025), where he has produced acclaimed short films and music videos, including Breaking & Entering (Catherine Andre), nominated for Best Dramatic Short at the City of Angels and Ethos Film Festivals. He is currently developing a horror/thriller feature film with Catherine Andre set in upstate New York.
Eliot Grigo – Cinematographer Originally from Rockport, Maine, Grigo received a BFA in Film, from Syracuse University in 2017. He studied 35mm filmmaking in Prague at FAMU, and attended photographic workshops at Rochester Institute of Technology and Maine Media. Since then, Grigo has worked in New York with brands such as Nike, Calvin Klein, and Christian Dior, while shooting narrative shorts. Most notably, LA MUJER DE HECTOR (HECTOR’S WOMAN), which premiered and was nominated for ‘Best of Festival’ at the 2021 Palm Springs International Film Festival; a winner at the 2022 Miami Film Festival; and received a 2022 Vimeo Staff Pick. Currently, Grigo is attending the AFI Conservatory as a Cinematography Fellow, Class of 2025.
Jason Luo – Editor Recent graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film, Video, New Media, and Animation. Co-founding Dope Film Studio with like-minded filmmakers, he has pursued projects offering many creative and commercial opportunities. Skilled as an editor, sound designer, and cinematographer, Jason’s portfolio includes award-winning short films FOUND YOU and PERSONA, with FOUND YOU being a 2022 Independent Shorts Awards finalist. Since 2023 he is a editing fellow at the AFI American Film Institute Conservatory, Class of 2025.
Jessica Burnam – Production Designer Earning a BA in Sculpture from the University of Virginia in 2015, Jessica’s materially diverse installations, sculptures and paintings depict surrealist bodies and dreamscapes. Her work has been showcased in solo exhibitions, residencies, lectures and press. Professionally trained in theatrical technical production, Jessica is a seasoned scenic painter and an award-winning kinetic puppet designer. To strengthen her creative leadership, Jessica earned her MBA from The College of William of Mary in 2022. Her thesis explored operational strategies to make material sharing more expedient, financially incentivized and storage freeing for film productions. As a recent MFA graduate of the AFI Conservatory, Jessica continues to seek opportunities in art directing, set design and production design – vocations that combine her love of artistry and building, storytelling and collaboration, and innovation and project management.
About the Carole Dorothy Joyce Grant
Since its founding in 1993, From the Heart Productions has offered Roy W. Dean Grants supporting independent filmmakers that are also available to students.
Carole Joyce, as Director of our Roy W. Dean Grants, consults with many of those who applied for those grants. She was touched by how many student applicants told her of the lack of grants for student filmmakers.
As a graduate of Brooks Institute and an award winning student filmmaker herself for the documentary “Survivors,” Carole knows how difficult a task students have in creating and funding their work.
Carole is the granddaughter of Roy W. Dean. Her desire in creating this grant is to support student filmmakers and encourage them to make films with stories told with passion that enlighten us about our lives and the world around us.
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. They have been chosen a top non-profit for nine years in a row by greatnonprofits.org.
Since their founding over 30 years ago, they have offered Roy W. Dean Grants to indie filmmakers with unique projects that make a contribution to society. Currently, there are four of those grants each year. Recent winners include Emmy Winners Belly of the Beast, The Love Bugs, and the John Cassavetes Award nominated narrative feature Cadejo Blanco which is now in streaming.
Besides providing funding through the grant, they offer a unique film sponsorship which has helped filmmakers raise millions of dollars for their projects. The program offers personal consultations and guidance on finding funding their project.
President Carole Dean, is a published writer, a producer, and instructor for two essential classes for indie filmmakers. She wrote the best-selling The Art of Film Funding: 2nd Edition, Alternative Financing Concepts. Her Intentional Filmmaking Class teaches film funding. Her new course, Learn Producing: The Ultimate Guide to Indie Film Production is a year-round course that provides filmmakers with the essentials they need to produce their projects.
