Twenty documentary, narrative feature, short film, and web series projects selected as Roy W. Dean Grant finalists for Spring 2026
From the Heart Productions has announced its latest group of Roy W. Dean Grant finalists, representing independent filmmakers from across the United States and Canada. The projects were selected for consideration in the Spring 2026 grant cycle, continuing the program’s more than three-decade commitment to supporting unique films that make a contribution to society.
The finalists represent the range of independent storytelling supported by the Roy W. Dean Grant, which has recognized unique films that make a contribution to society for more than three decades.
“Selecting finalists is never easy because we receive so many remarkable projects,” said Carole Joyce, Vice President of From the Heart Productions and Director of the Roy W. Dean Grants. “The films chosen this year reflect the creativity, determination, and purpose that define independent filmmaking. We are proud to spotlight these filmmakers and the stories they are working so hard to bring to audiences.”
Finalists for the Roy W. Dean Film Grant for Spring 2026 are:
| Title | Type | Filmmaker |
| “It Came with the Fog” | Documentary Feature | Mary Catherine Brouder |
| “Playing Doctor Ball” | Documentary Feature | Christopher Carter |
| “The Call” | Fiction Short | Nicole Ballivian |
| “Lowriders in the Heartland” | Documentary Short | Lucy Stylianou |
| “Urban Canvas: From the Underground Up” | Documentary Feature | Jose Pichardo |
| “Horse Spirit” | Documentary Feature | Duncan McDowall |
| “Marilyn 100!” | Documentary Feature | Nina Boski |
| “The Duke Webb Story” | TV, Web, or New Media Series | Rachel Lyon |
| “Kids Got Rights” | Documentary Feature | Julie Rico |
| “The Real Spice Girls of Rajasthan” | Documentary Feature | Gillian Greenfeld |
| “Bodies of Water” | Documentary Short | Betsy Blankenbaker |
| “7-Day Free Trial” | Fiction Short | Michelle LeMay |
| “The Wisdom Years” | TV, Web, or New Media Series | Audra Kelly |
| “Double Smooth” | Fiction Short | Indira Somani |
| “Kitty & Tysheem” | Documentary Feature | Lauren Deacon |
| “The Jollytologist®” | Documentary Short | Sky Bergman |
| “The Invisible Cost of Powering the Internet” | Documentary Short | Audre Smikle |
| “Dollhouse Murders” | Fiction Short | Christina O’Neil |
| “Taxi Driver” | Documentary Feature | Sara Chishti |
| “American Orange” | Documentary Feature | Laura Perez |
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.
Award Package Helps Move Projects Forward
The winner of the Spring Roy W. Dean Grant will receive a $3,500 cash award along with valuable donated production services and equipment designed to support the filmmaking process.
The award package includes:
• $500 in grip, lighting, or expendables from Filmtools
• 40% off color correction, editing, sound, and production services from ProMedia NYC, including use of its lighting truck
• 30% off equipment rentals from AbelCine Tech, Inc.
• IndiPro 2x Kratos 99Wh V-Mount Battery & Dual Charger Kit valued at $600
• Sound mix session from Silver Sound valued at $1,600
And much more from heartfelt industry donors who support indie filmmaking. These contributions provide filmmakers with practical resources that can help reduce production costs and bring projects closer to completion.
Beyond financial and in-kind support, the Roy W. Dean Grant is known for its ongoing mentorship and guidance, offering filmmakers valuable resources and encouragement well beyond the grant cycle.
The Spring 2026 Roy W. Dean Grant winner will be announced following final reviews by the judging panel. The selected filmmaker will receive a $3,500 cash award along with valuable donated production services designed to help bring the project to completion.
About the Roy W. Dean Grant
Since 1992, the Roy W. Dean Grant has awarded more than $2 million in cash and donated production services to independent filmmakers worldwide. Four grant competitions are held annually, supporting documentary, narrative, short film, and web series projects with budgets under $500,000.
Past Roy W. Dean Grant recipients have gone on to earn major industry recognition, including the 2025 Truer Than Fiction Spirit Award-winning A Photographic Memory, Emmy Award-winning documentaries Belly of the Beast andThe Love Bugs, Sundance Film Festival selection Raise Hell: The Life and Times of Molly Ivins, and the acclaimed documentary Kusama-Infinity.
About From the Heart Productions
From The Heart Productions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping independent filmmakers get their films funded and completed. Through its fiscal sponsorship program, grants, educational initiatives, and personalized guidance, the organization has helped filmmakers raise more than $50 million in donations for their projects.
In addition to the Roy W. Dean Grants, From the Heart Productions provides filmmakers with resources, mentorship, and training through From the Heart THRIVE, its online education platform. THRIVE offers classes, workshops, expert instruction, and a growing library of resources covering film funding, producing, grant writing, pitching, emerging technologies, and career development for independent filmmakers.
Founded by President Carole Dean, best-selling author of The Art of Film Funding: 2nd Edition, Alternative Financing Concepts, From the Heart Productions continues its mission of supporting filmmakers who create stories that entertain, educate, and inspire audiences around the world.
