Hot Films in the Making for Roy W. Dean Grant for Summer 2023

Films by Talented Filmmakers That Deserve Your Attention

Out of every Roy W. Dean Grant, we select a special group which we call “Hot Films in the Making. These films, which just missed making our list of finalists, have wonderful stories told by brilliant filmmakers.  From the Heart Productions, the 501(c)3 sponsor of the grant, has selected twenty-seven “Hot Films” for the Roy W. Dean Grant for Summer 2023. 

Hot Films in the Making

“A Banner Year” – Josh Davidsburg

We hope you take notice of the films as well as the filmmakers and give your favorites your support.

“I’m eagerly awaiting the release of these cinematic gems, “said Carole Joyce, Director of the Roy W. Dean Grants for From the Heart Productions. “The filmmakers have showcased incredible talent and vision.”

The films chosen for Hot Films in the Making include documentary features, fiction features, short films and web series.  They represent projects from the United States and around the world. 

The Hot Films in the Making for the Roy W. Dean Film Grant for Summer 2023 are: 

Title Type Filmmaker
“Regina Doyle, Silent Film Starlet: The Untold, Tragic but True Story” Documentary Short David Brown
“Home: Everywhere and Nowhere Journey of a Global Citizen” Documentary Feature Grace Ward
“Recurring Gig” Fiction Feature Adam Hutchinson
“What to Expect” Fiction Short Gabriela Garcia Medina
“Free Play” Documentary Short Alex Astrella
“A Banner Year” Documentary Feature Josh Davidsburg
“Beneficence” Fiction Short Nathan Goldrich
“Tubadu Breaking Through” Documentary Feature Aira Vehaskari
“Unbelizeablue” Documentary Feature Eladio Arvelo
“The Nurse” Fiction Short Joyce Holland-Kostakis
“The Violin Case” Fiction Feature Nashwan Abdullah
“La Casita” Fiction Short Natasha Rivera
“His Biggest Role” Fiction Short Evgeny Vdovin
“Rewriting Romance” TV, Web, or New Media Series Evie Joy
“Revenge of the Time” Fiction Short Mizani Ball
“Deja Vu” Fiction Short Serena Sogules
“August & Ebony” Fiction Short Joyce Liu-Countryman
“Dennis and Sandy Sasso: A Journey of Faith and Love” Documentary Feature Rachael Berggren
“Choose You” Fiction Short Moitri Ghosh
“Saved by Maidl with a Kof K Tattoo” Fiction Short Sofie Somoroff
“Uno Por Uno” Fiction Short Francisco J. Landin Jr
“Finding JaMia’s Spirit” Fiction Short Candace Patrick
“Carry My Voice” Fiction Feature Hasan Demirtas
“Where Shall I Lay This Body” Fiction Short Chi Mai
“Bike Helmet Harry” Fiction Feature Tony Mouleart
“Underdogs” Documentary Short Ashia Lance
“Thazin: Myanmar Winter” Documentary Feature Jeanne Hallacy

 

Each finalist is given the opportunity to post information on their contending film on the From the Heart Productions website.  Filmmakers can include an image from the film, filmmaker info, and loglines.  If they have available, filmmakers can include a link to their film’s website, Facebook page, or relevant social media connection. 

About the Roy W. Dean Grant

Now celebrating its 31st year, 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 are unique and make a contribution to society.  It has been an important lifeline for independent filmmakers that help 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. 

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.

Roy W. Dean Short Film Grant 2023 “Hot Films in the Making”

Films with great concepts and talented filmmakers that deserve your attention

Out of each Roy W. Dean Grant, we select films that we call “Hot Films in the Making.” While just missing making our list of finalists, these films have wonderful stories told by brilliant filmmakers.

From the Heart Productions, the 501(c)3 sponsor of the grant, has selected twenty-five “Hot Films” for the Roy W. Dean Short Film Grant.  We hope you take notice of the films as well as the filmmakers and give your favorites your support.

 

“Mmanwu”

 

“I’m really looking forward to seeing these films soon.” said Carole Joyce, Director of the Roy W. Dean Grants for From the Heart Productions. “The talent and imagination shown by these filmmakers is impressive.”

The films chosen for Hot Films in the Making for the Roy W. Dean Short Film Grant include narrative fiction short films of forty minutes or less.  Films must be unique and make a contribution to society. 

The Hot Films in the Making for the Roy W. Dean Short Film Grant for 2023 are: 

Title Filmmaker
“The Wild Ones” Ben Meredith
“Micro-Short” Beth Fletcher
“Slip” Lara Hill
“Alpha, Bravo, Charlie” Mirabel Miscala
“Out of Body” Aimee Hawkins
“Where the Fuck are Your Teeth?” Tony Rivas
“Maya & Lydia” Roya Alidjani
“The D3v1ce” Kimberly Tanksley
“Here and Then” Daniel W. Smith
“Francine’s Moon Landing” Katherine Clark
“Deuce Purgatory” Shelby Slauer
“Grief: A Comedy” Madeline Johnson
“Mmanwu” Uzo Ngwu
“Helper” Justin Hankinson
“I Just Can’t” Lisa Rideout
“Flight 182” Rippin  Sindher
“In Service” Jonathan Otto-Bernstein
“We Are Seeds” Caitlyn Durkin
“Runaway to Paradise” Ke Liu
“The Interview” Ksenia Naughton
“Daughters of Evil” Natasha Pascetta
“Outside the Lines” Darren Lee Campbell
“Agape” Takai Ginwright
“#Likes4Lucas” Dylan Kai Dempsey
“The Bad Guy” Morgan Hammen

 

Each finalist is given the opportunity to post information on their contending film on the From the Heart Productions website.  Filmmakers can include an image from the film, filmmaker info, and loglines.  If they have available, filmmakers can include a link to their film’s website, Facebook page, or relevant social media connection. 

About the Roy W. Dean Grant

Now celebrating its 31st year, 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 are unique and make a contribution to society.  It has been an important lifeline for independent filmmakers that help 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.  This allows donations made to films they sponsor to be tax deductible.  From The Heart has helped independent filmmakers raise over $30 million through their fiscal sponsorship program. 

President Carole Dean is the best-selling author of The Art of Film Funding: 2nd Edition, Alternative Financing Concepts and the new online class “How to Fund Your Film”.

Hot Films in the Making for Spring 2023

Projects Submitted to the Roy W. Dean Grant for Spring 2023 That Deserve Your Attention

In every group of submissions to the Roy W. Dean Grant, there are projects that have excellent concepts and talented filmmakers that just missed making our group of finalists.  From the Heart Productions, the 501(c)3 sponsor of the grant, calls them Hot Films in the Making.  Thirty-one films were chosen this year as Hot Films for the Roy W. Dean Grant for Spring.  You should take notice of these as you will certainly be seeing them and more from these filmmakers in the future.

Hot Films in the Making Spring 2023

“This list is our way of honoring those filmmakers and their projects.” said Carole Joyce, Director of the Roy W. Dean Grants for From the Heart Productions. “We hope by bringing them to the attention of the public, they will find the followers and supporters they deserve to help carry them to completion.”

The films chosen for Hot Films in the Making include documentary features, fiction features, short films and web series.  They represent projects from the United States and around the world. 

The Hot Films in the Making for the Roy W. Dean Film Grant for Spring 2023 are:

 

Title Type Filmmaker
“Cuando No Hay Palabras (When There Are No Words)” Documentary Short Gabriella Canal
“Tarantula” Fiction Feature Juan Patricio  Riveroll
“Mustangs: The Native American Way” Documentary Feature Kremena Doust
“#BoysToo” Documentary Feature Melinda Baum
“The Experiencer Project” Documentary Feature Daniel Cardone
“Where Did The Adults Go?” Fiction Feature Courtney Marsh
“Who In Da Mornin” Documentary Feature Jonathan Issac Jackson
“#Likes4Lucas” TV, Web, or New Media Series Dylan Dempsey
“Calamity & Mercy” Documentary Feature Daniel W. Smith
“Still Perfect” Fiction Feature Michael Fitzer
“The S.U.R.F. Story” Documentary Feature Riley Thelen
“Finding Ma” Documentary Feature Phoenix Woodall
“Leila” Fiction Feature Armon Mahdavi
“Eastbound Traffic” Fiction Feature Charles Johnson
“The Cubas Plan” Documentary Feature Sergio Vizuete
“Trash Baby” Fiction Feature Jacy Mairs
“Deepest Blue” Fiction Feature Gregory Collins
“Eden” Fiction Feature Andrew Doyle
“Mere Water” Fiction Short Debbie Peiser
“Our Guys” Documentary Feature Jennifer Johnson
“Where Do We Go From Here” Documentary Feature Geetanjali  Gurlhosur
“Lost In Love” TV, Web, or New Media Series Tiffani Matthews
“Nubovni” Fiction Feature Elk Salvera
“A Holiday I Do” Fiction Feature Paul Schneider
“Trusted Sources” Documentary Feature Don Colacino
“What’s in a Name” Documentary Feature Rose  Bladh
“The Bomb With No Name” Documentary Feature Adebowale Ajibulu
“Planning to Turn the Tide” Documentary Feature James Schwab
“The Faucet” Fiction Short Dava Whisenant
“The Breath of a Mountain” Documentary Feature Eshika Fyzee
“The Game” Documentary Feature Justin Tolliver

 

Each finalist is given the opportunity to post information on their contending film on the From the Heart Productions website.  Filmmakers can include an image from the film, filmmaker info, and loglines.  If they have available, filmmakers can include a link to their film’s website, Facebook page, or relevant social media connection. 

About the Roy W. Dean Grant

Now celebrating its 31st year, 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 are unique and make a contribution to society.  It has been an important lifeline for independent filmmakers that help 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.  This allows donations made to films they sponsor to be tax deductible.  From The Heart has helped independent filmmakers raise over $30 million through their fiscal sponsorship program. 

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.

Hot Films in the Making – Roy W. Dean Film Grant for Fall 2021

42 Films That Will Impress You with Their Creativity and Brilliant Filmmakers

What are Hot Films in the Making?  For each of our 4 Roy W. Dean Film Grants each year, there are many projects submitted, with excellent concepts and talented filmmakers, that just miss making our group of finalists.  We call them Hot Films in the Making.

The Roy W. Grant for Fall 2021 was no exception with 42 films qualifying for that honor.  From the Heart Productions, the sponsor of the grant, feels they deserve a chance for people to take notice of them.  We expect these films should be in the finals in the future.

“The creativity and passion behind these projects can’t and shouldn’t be ignored.” said Carole Dean, President of From the Heart Productions. “We are honored to be exposed to all these works-in-progress and know we’ll be seeing great things from these filmmakers in the future.”

From the Heart Productions believes that by highlighting these films, that will not only expand the audience, but find those who will help them on their journey to completion. 

The films chosen for Hot Films in the Making include documentary, narrative features, short films and web series.  They represent projects from around the world including films from India, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and the U.S.

The Hot Films in the Making for the Roy W. Dean Grant for Fall 2021 are:

Title Type Filmmaker
1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted A Culture Documentary Feature Sharon Roggio
Rising Son Fiction Feature Kevin Osoo
Sathu – Year of the Rabbit Fiction Feature Joshua Trigg
Bleu Dream Fiction Feature Jared Bratt
Trusted Sources Documentary Feature Don Colacino
The Maltese Collection Documentary Feature Kendrick Simmons
Once Upon a Time in Italy Documentary Feature Alessandro Pezza
Self Care Fiction Short Cassidy Civiero
Mother of Color Fiction Feature Dawn Jones Redstone
Our Sins Fiction Short Anjini Azhar
Las Abogadas Documentary Feature Victoria Bruce
Bienvenidos a Los Angeles Fiction Short Lolia Etomi
“Charlie’s Story, Tuskegee and More” Documentary Short Molly Smollett
Thank You for Thinking of Me Documentary Feature Akram Shibly
Kinsley Vs. Web Series Courtney Romano
The Black Man’s Voice Web Series Evaugh High
The Row Documentary Feature Sarah Anthony
Untitled Farmer Documentary Documentary Feature Jacqueline Romano
Marrow of the Mountain Documentary Feature Roo Vandegrift
Dear Luke, Love, Me Fiction Feature Mallie McCown
Woman Of God Fiction Feature Angel  Moreira
The Forgotten Angels Documentary Short Kevin Knight
Prison Park Documentary Feature Juliet  Belmas
Infinity Mission Earth- South Web Series Clemens Oestreich
YURT (Dormitory) Fiction Feature Nehir Tuna
The Last Drop Documentary Short Adam Joel
Who Cares About DC? Documentary Feature Stephen Kolb
Ellos Gritan Libertad (They Scream Freedom) Documentary Feature Melinda Raebyne
Desmond’s Not Here Anymore Fiction Short Lindiwe Suttle Müller-Westernhagen
Just Bake Cookies Fiction Short Quinn Early
Smoke Eater Fiction Short Gloria Mercer
Food Synergy Documentary Feature Vivian Davidson-Castro
The Apocalyptic is the Mother of All Christian Theology Documentary Feature Jim Finn
Fast Fiction Short Rachel  Johnson
Z Chronicles Fiction Short Steven Thompson
An Insignia of a Forced Winter Documentary Feature Ajimesh Saha
Beauty (or the Curious Case of Ugliness) Fiction Short Michael Muthee
Death Target Web Series Daniel Solis
American Sons Documentary Feature Andrew Gonzales
Reduction (working title) Documentary Feature Kelley Bruggere
Human Shield Documentary Feature Erin Persley
Weird Fishes Fiction Short Zenzele Ojore

Each finalist is given the opportunity to post information on their contending film on the From the Heart Productions website

Filmmakers can include an image from the film, filmmaker info, and loglines.  If they have available, filmmakers can include a link to their film’s website, Facebook page, or relevant social media connection.

About the Roy W. Dean Grant

Now celebrating its 30th year, 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 are unique and make a contribution to society.  It has been an important lifeline for independent filmmakers that help 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.  This allows donations made to films they sponsor to be tax deductible.  From The Heart has helped independent filmmakers raise over $30 million through their fiscal sponsorship program.  President Carole Dean is the best-selling author of The Art of Film Funding: 2nd Edition, Alternative Financing Concepts and the new online class “How to Fund Your Film”.

Roy W. Dean Film Grant Hot Films in the Making for Spring 2022

36 Films Submitted to Spring Grant from Filmmakers You’ll Be Hearing from in Future

For each Roy W. Dean Film Grant, there are a select group of films submitted with excellent concepts and talented filmmakers, that just miss making our group of finalists.  From the Heart Productions, the sponsor of the grant, honors them by designating them Hot Films in the Making.  The Roy W. Dean Film Grant for Spring 2022 produced 36 films that share that honor.  

Hot Films in the Making for Spring 2022

“The Sound of Hope”

“The goal of this list is to shine a light on these potentially great films and the brilliant filmmakers who are creating them.” said Carole Dean, President of From the Heart Productions. “We expect them to be in our finals in the future.”

From the Heart Productions showcases these films in the hope that they will find fans and  followers to help them complete their films. 

The films chosen for Hot Films in the Making include documentary features, fiction features, short films and web series.  They represent projects from the United States and around the world. 

The Hot Films in the Making for the Roy W. Dean Film Grant for Spring 2022 are:

 

Title Type Filmmaker
Susan Documentary Feature Amber Patee
Intent 2 Win Fiction Feature Dontai Keith
Family Story TV,Web or New Media Joel Clark
Scintilla Fiction Short Laura Valtorta
Who the Hell Is Johnny Otis? Documentary Feature David Ziegler
SOL Fiction Short Taylor Leigh
Miss-Diagnosed Documentary Short Yvonne Montoya
The Book Keepers Documentary Feature Phil Wall
Dog Walk Home Documentary Feature Vicki Topaz
The Sound of Hope Documentary Feature Emanuele Michetti
Stronghold Fiction Feature Julia Camara
Angels and Saints – Eros and Awe Documentary Feature Vic Compher
The Cemetery of Cinema Documentary Feature Maud Martin
More Than Our Skin Documentary Feature Tonia Magras
Serena Documentary Feature Gillian Zinser
Staten Island Graveyard Documentary Feature Heather Quinlan
Food Synergy Documentary Feature Vivian Davidson
The Insurance Man Fiction Feature Alex Lage
Revelations of Divine Love Fiction Feature Caroline Golum
Dear Luke, Love, Me Fiction Feature Mallie McCown
Trusted Sources Documentary Feature Don Calacino
Orchestrated: Ignatz Waghalter and the Negro Symphony Orchestra Documentary Feature Natalia Iyudin
Prison Park Documentary Feature Juliet  Belmas
Zero Hour Documentary Feature Cristina Hanes
Community in Conflict: The Santa Fe internment Camp Marker Documentary Short Claudia Katayanagi
Last Time On Earth Fiction Feature Paromita Dhar
King Luck Documentary Feature Emile Graham-Handley 
Voice From Behind the Glass Documentary Feature Gloria Kurnik
Rolling Chairs Documentary Feature David Goodman
Vision of the Ages Documentary Feature Chief Phil Lane
Ducey Fiction Short Calvin Dutton
The Long Rescue Documentary Feature Jennifer Huang
Disposable Humanity Documentary Short Cameron Mitchell
Portraits in Black: Honoring Our National Treasures Fiction Short Monda Webb
Salsa, A Caribbean Swing (Salsa, un tumbao caribeño) Documentary Feature Beni Marquez
Slab City Documentary Feature Lauren Vance

Each finalist is given the opportunity to post information on their contending film on the From the Heart Productions website.  Filmmakers can include an image from the film, filmmaker info, and loglines.  If they have available, filmmakers can include a link to their film’s website, Facebook page, or relevant social media connection. 

About the Roy W. Dean Grant

Now celebrating its 30th year, 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 are unique and make a contribution to society.  It has been an important lifeline for independent filmmakers that help 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.  This allows donations made to films they sponsor to be tax deductible.  From The Heart has helped independent filmmakers raise over $30 million through their fiscal sponsorship program.  President Carole Dean is the best-selling author of The Art of Film Funding: 2nd Edition, Alternative Financing Concepts and the new online class “How to Fund Your Film”.

Hot Films in the Making: Roy W. Dean Film Grant for Summer 2022

Promising Projects That We Predict Will Be Future Grant Finalists

Hot Films in the Making honors those films submitted to a Roy W. Dean Film Grant that have excellent concepts, talented filmmakers, and deserve to be noticed despite just missing making the list of finalists.  From the Heart Productions, the sponsor of the grant, bestowed the Hot Films in the Making honor on 42 films from the Roy W. Dean Film Grant for Summer 2022.  We can expect to see many of these fantastic films in the future.

“We were not just being generous by including so many in our Hot Films in the Making for this grant.” said Carole Dean, President of From the Heart Productions. “These all have the potential to be wonderful films and are harbingers of great careers for these brilliant filmmakers.”

From the Heart Productions showcases these films in the hope that they will find supporters to see them through to completion as well as an audience. 

The films chosen for Hot Films in the Making include documentary features, fiction features, short films and web series.  They represent projects from the United States and around the world. 

The Hot Films in the Making for the Roy W. Dean Film Grant for Summer 2022 are: 

Title Type Filmmaker
The Dolphin Dilemma Documentary Short Olivia Andrus
The Destruction of Our Lives Fiction Feature John Blythe
Him, Tool Documentary Short Elahe Esmaili
The Last Laibon Fiction Feature Wairimer Kanyeria 
Undaunted Documentary Feature Janet Roberts
Valley of Exile Fiction Feature Anna Fahr
Mask4Masc TV, Web or New Series Anthony Williams
My Piece Documentary Short Bervick J Deculus
Black Water Documentary Feature Jokin Pascual
Funny How TV, Web or New Series David DiBona
Like Heaven Without God Documentary Feature Luca Capponi
Science Fiction Documentary Feature Gilles Francous
One Thousand Hills Between Us Documentary Short Ornella Mutoni
The Blooming Lotus Fiction Short Safiya Parker
What’s In A Name Documentary Feature Cary Cronenweltt
I Carry You In Me Fiction Short Carman Ho
Mission MediArts Documentary Feature Debra Koffler
LaConcierge de Azule Documentary Feature Samuel Diaz Fernandez
Here to Make Friends Fiction Short Meghan Ross
Imillas Documentary Feature Ruth Mariela Morales
Flesh Fiction Short Jose Manuel Velez
Amendment Fiction Short Belinda Gosbee
Swinging For Maternal Documentary Feature Adonis Williams
Unpaid Work in Europe Documentary Feature Marilen Martin
Blues For 475 Kent Documentary Feature Tyler A Chase
The Last Drop Fiction Short Adam Joel
Sweeps TV, Web or New Series Nino Tandilashvili
Sticker Movie Documentary Feature Sha-Risse Smith
The Runs TV, Web or New Series Quanny Carr
Rope From Heaven Fiction Short Grace (Hyejin) Park
Arcade Dreams Documentary Feature Zach Weddington
A Life in Tandem Documentary Feature Mia Grimes
Whale Fiction Feature Ziyao Liu
Saving the Wild Coast Documentary Feature Gary Janks
Arthur Brown – Everything is Now Documentary Feature Ashley James
The Heart of Long Beach Fiction Feature Damian Apunte
That’s the Spirit TV, Web or New Series Shamel Fadloun
Moon Fiction Short Toy Lei
Man Freed Fiction Feature Will Rittweger
Lullaby Fiction Feature Veronika Graves
Planning to Turn the Tide Documentary Feature James Schwab
The Anti-College Documentary Documentary Feature Mason Aksamit

Each finalist is given the opportunity to post information on their contending film on the From the Heart Productions website.  Filmmakers can include an image from the film, filmmaker info, and loglines.  If they have available, filmmakers can include a link to their film’s website, Facebook page, or relevant social media connection. 

About the Roy W. Dean Grant

Now celebrating its 31st year, 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 are unique and make a contribution to society.  It has been an important lifeline for independent filmmakers to help them 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 , the feature film Cadejo Blanco which is now beginning an international theatrical run, 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 sponsorship organization dedicated to helping filmmakers get their projects funded and made.  Besides providing funding through the grant, they offer fiscal sponsorship to filmmakers.  This allows donations made to films they sponsor to be tax deductible.  From The Heart has helped independent filmmakers raise over $30 million through their fiscal sponsorship program.  President Carole Dean is the best-selling author of The Art of Film Funding: 2nd Edition, Alternative Financing Concepts, the new online class How to Fund Your Film, and Perfecting Your Pitch and Proposal.