Honoring Groundbreaking Independent Films That Challenge, Inspire, and Drive Social Change
From the Heart Productions, a top-rated 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to supporting independent filmmakers, proudly announces the Fall 2024 Roy W. Dean Grant finalists These 27 exceptional projects—spanning documentary features, shorts, narrative features, shorts, and web series—represent the future of impactful storytelling, tackling critical social issues and presenting unique perspectives that might otherwise go unheard.
The Roy W. Dean Grant is more than just funding—it’s a lifeline for independent filmmakers with bold, compelling stories. The winner will receive a $3,500 cash prize, along with an invaluable package of in-kind donations from leading industry professionals. These include $15,000 in original music composed by renowned artist David Raiklen, $6,000.00 in animation from Emmy award winner Charlie Canfield, and $500 in grip, lighting or expendables from Filmtools, and more for donors that support indie filmmakers.
“We are thrilled by the diversity and creativity of this year’s finalists,” said Carole Dean, President of From the Heart Productions. “Each of these projects has the potential to make a lasting impact. We are honored to support passionate independent filmmakers in bringing their visions to life. These are the stories that inspire change, open minds, and move audiences.”
Winner to be announced in March 2025.
Finalists for the Roy W. Dean Film Grant for Fall 2024 are:
| Title | Type | Filmmaker |
| “26 Seconds USA Docuseries” | TV, Web, or New Media Series | Kelly Galindo |
| “Into the Wilderness” | Documentary Feature | Nick Aldridge |
| “Darkroom” | Fiction Short | Az Houshi |
| “Tucker’s Law” | Documentary Feature | Ryan Dowling |
| “From a Darkened Room” | Documentary Feature | Lorenzo DeStefano |
| “Through The Eyes of a Death Doula” | Documentary Feature | Capucine Salvi-Offer |
| “The Tater Tot and the Quest for the Holey Board” | Documentary Short | Leslie M Grigg |
| “Wander Women” | TV, Web, or New Media Series | Scarlett Bress |
| “Odd Jobs” | Fiction Feature | Kyle Andrews |
| “I Am Trya” | Documentary Short | Laurence Mathie- Leger |
| “Kenya’s Roots of Love: Orphans, Elephants, and Trees.” | Documentary Feature | Roman Latkovic |
| “Reservation Redemption” | Documentary Feature | Brenda Fisher |
| “Ladylike” | Fiction Short | Taylor Coriell |
| “Watch You Rise” | Documentary Feature | Isabella Cohn |
| “Fires and Fascism” | Documentary Feature | Pete Knapp |
| “Body Stories: Marta & Fidel” | Fiction Short | Mariluz Guerra |
| “White Gold in Lithium Valley” | Documentary Short | Celia Xavier |
| “AI: Power it Up” | Documentary Short | Matt Keay |
| “Forty One” | Documentary Feature | Rafael Roy |
| “The Chosen Ones” | TV, Web, or New Media Series | Rachel Kaufman |
| “Planning to Turn the Tide: Creating Resilient Communities” | Documentary Feature | James Schwab |
| “Shadow of a Doubt: The James Beathard Story” | Documentary Feature | Christian Roper |
| “Austin Black Freedom Communities” | Documentary Feature | Funmi Ogunro |
| “An Aspen Christmas Conspiracy” | Fiction Feature | Graham Northrup |
| “Scattered and Drifting” | Fiction Short | Yupeng He |
| “From a Darkened Room – The Diary of a Nobody” | Documentary Feature | Lisa Palattella |
| “Ella” | Fiction Short | Nikki Taylor-Roberts |
In addition to competing for the grant, each finalist will be given the opportunity to showcase their project on the From the Heart Productions website. Filmmakers can share images, loglines, and project details, as well as links to their websites and social media, allowing them to gain visibility and connect with supporters.
About the Roy W. Dean Grant
Since its inception in 1992, the Roy W. Dean Grant has provided over $2,000,000 in cash and donated film services to independent filmmakers. The grant is awarded to projects budgeted under $500,000 that demonstrate originality and social impact. With four grants awarded each year, the program serves as a crucial resource for independent filmmakers striving to complete their projects.
Past winners of the grant include winner of the 2025 Truer than Fiction Spirit Award Winner A Photographic Memory, 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 organization committed to helping independent filmmakers secure funding and bring their projects to fruition. In addition to the Roy W. Dean Grant, the organization offers fiscal sponsorship, personal guidance, and free classes on fundraising and filmmaking. Through its fiscal sponsorship program, From the Heart has helped filmmakers raise over $30 million in donations for their films.
President Carole Dean is the best-selling author of The Art of Film Funding: 2nd Edition, Alternative Financing Concepts and the new online class Learn Producing: The Ultimate Course for Indie Film Production.
