San Francisco, CA – November 22, 2023: The 2023 SFFILM Rainin Grant recipients have been announced, marking the culmination of SFFILM’s artist development initiative, SFFILM Makers. This year, in partnership with the Kenneth Rainin Foundation, SFFILM unveiled seventeen filmmaking teams selected for the prestigious grant, receiving a total of $425,000 in funding and professional guidance for their narrative projects across various production stages.
Anne Lai, Executive Director of SFFILM, highlighted, “Empowering independent films and filmmakers lies at the heart of our mission at SFFILM. Our enduring collaboration with the Kenneth Rainin Foundation has been instrumental in nurturing global filmmakers, providing crucial support for voices and stories that might not otherwise reach the screen.”
The SFFILM Rainin Grant stands as the largest independent narrative feature film grant program in the United States, dedicated to fostering projects that tackle social justice themes, addressing disparities in wealth, opportunities, and privileges through compelling storytelling elements. The grants encompass diverse stages of production, supporting screenwriting, development, and post-production. Recipients are offered grants of up to $25,000 for screenwriting, development, post-production, and a two-month residency at FilmHouse, SFFILM’s premier artist residency space.
Masashi Niwano, SFFILM’s Director of Artist Development, expressed, “This year’s cohort of grantees embodies the ethos of the SFFILM Rainin Grant. Their narratives traverse vast landscapes, transporting audiences from an Oakland park to futuristic Tokyo and Detroit’s DJ scene. We are immensely proud to champion these gifted filmmakers and assist in realizing their cinematic visions.”
A distinguished jury panel comprising industry experts such as filmmaker Sterlyn Ramirez, Roxie Theater’s Executive Director Lex Sloan, Kenneth Rainin Foundation’s Chief Program Officer Shelley Trott, and SFFILM’s Director of Artist Development Masashi Niwano among others, meticulously evaluated the submissions.
In a joint statement, the jury emphasized, “It has been a privilege to support this remarkable cohort of talented voices spanning diverse genres, artistic innovations, and poignant personal tales. The inclusive range of narratives showcased underscores cinema’s potency as a universal language, capable of sparking impactful conversations and instigating change. We extend heartfelt appreciation to all filmmakers who entrusted us with their stories and are thrilled to bolster this year’s recipients at this pivotal stage in their careers.”
The complete list of 2023 SFFILM Rainin Grant Recipients and their projects:
- **Blue Veil**: Screenwriting by Shireen Alihaji (Director/Screenwriter) & Jaime Ballesteros (Producer)
- **The Binding of Itzik**: Development by Anika Benkov (Screenwriter/Director) & Lili Rosen (Producer)
- **Afronauts**: Screenwriting by Nuotama Bodomo (Screenwriter/Director) & Monique Walton (Producer)
- **A Real One**: Development by McKenzie Chinn (Screenwriter/Director)
- **Burning Well**: Development by M.G. Evangelista (Screenwriter/Director/Producer) & Simone Ling (Producer)
- **Electric Homies**: Screenwriting by Roberto Fatal (Screenwriter/Director/Producer)
- **The Deaf Club**: Screenwriting by Jessica Flores (Director/Screenwriter)
- **Buffalo Stone**: Development by Ivy Macdonald (Director), Ivan Macdonald (Producer), Daniel Glick (Director/Writer/Producer), Sarah Clarke (Screenwriter), Lily Gladstone (Executive Producer/Writer), Melissa Grumhaus (Executive Producer)
- **Starfuckers**: Development by Antonio Marziale (Screenwriter/Director) & Eli Raskin (Producer)
- **Mosswood Park**: Development by Nijla Mu’min (Director/Screenwriter/Producer), Avril Speaks (Producer), Gabrielle Glore (Producer)
- **The South is my Sister’s Skin**: Screenwriting by Zenzele Ojore (Director/Screenwriter)
- **Piratas**: Screenwriting by Gabriela Ortega (Screenwriter/Director)
- **In Case of Apocalypse**: Screenwriting by Olivia Peace (Director/co-screenwriter/Producer) & Imani Mixon (co-screenwriter)
- **Wishes Sink in Man Made Lakes**: Screenwriting by Faye Ruiz (Screenwriter/Director)
- **Take Me Home**: Screenwriting by Liz Sargent (Director/Screenwriter) & Minos Papas (Producer)
- **Earthquake**: Post-Production by Neo Sora (Screenwriter/Director), Albert Tholen (Producer), Aiko Masubuchi (Producer), Eric Nyari (Producer), Alex C. Lo (Producer)
- **Amoeba**: Screenwriting by Siyou Tan (Screenwriter/Director)
The SFFILM Rainin program welcomes filmmakers globally, encouraging their commitment to developing their films in San Francisco. The application process for the next SFFILM Rainin program will reopen in January 2024.
