News 2

Winter 2019 Awards

January 27, 2020

Six Documentaries Awarded Winter 2019 Grants

We are pleased to announce the Miller / Packan Documentary Film Fund Summer 2019 award winners. The Fund awards grants totaling $200,000 annually through its Summer and Winter open calls.

To Use a Mountain — Seconds of exposure, generations of debate and epochs of geologic change all overlap in the landscapes that define the American nuclear legacy and the quest to isolate 77,000 tons of nuclear waste for 10,000 years. Director: Casey Carter.

Storm Lake Untitled — Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Art Cullen and his family fight to be the journalistic voice of their rural Iowan farming community—even as their biweekly newspaper hangs on by a thread. Director: Jerry Risius.

Untitled Utah Climate Change Denial Documentary — In a time when people are terrified about a climate apocalypse, this film spends an intimate summer with the one county which has less belief in climate change than anywhere else in the USA. Director: Ben Stillerman.

Landlock — When a group of populist Brazilian farmers take control over a new area of the Amazon rainforest, a conflict erupts at the forest’s edge. The film follows this group of farmers as they fight for control of the Brazilian Amazon. Director: Alex Pritz.

GenX: A Chemical Cocktail — Young filmmakers identify toxins and confront the cover-up of a 70-year-old public health crisis – man-made chemicals have found their way into the drinking water of their hometowns. Director: Elijah Yetter-Bowman. www.genxthefilm.org

Untitled Rural Healthcare Documentary — Since 2010, 120 rural hospitals have closed across the U.S. The film will explore the deteriorating healthcare options in the rural South and the looming threat of a full-blown crisis for communities. Director: Ramin Bahrani.

“Climate, environmental issues, and investigative journalism are themes from this round of awards,” said Hugh Rogovy, Foundation Founder. “We’re pleased to support raising awareness of these important topics.”

Applications are now being accepted for the Summer 2020 Open Call, which ends May 15th.

Winter 2019 Awards

Summer 2019 Awards

June 30, 2019

Six Documentaries Awarded Summer 2019 Grants

We are pleased to announce the Miller / Packan Documentary Film Fund Summer 2019 award winners. The Fund awards grants totaling $200,000 annually through its Summer and Winter open calls.

Our Land — In a time of growing income inequality in America, there is one asset that remains in the hands of the American people: the 640 million acres of America’s Public Lands. Powerful forces have aligned to attempt the largest land grab in modern history. Director: David Byars.

Weed Dreams — As California legalized recreational cannabis sales, Oakland became the first city in the nation to adopt a Cannabis Equity Program, an ambitious attempt to address racial inequality and rectify the injustices of the war on drugs. Director: Mathew Ramirez Warren.

Parkland — The film follows the high school students and families who became fierce leaders of a national movement for gun reform following the shooting of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in 2018. Director: Cheryl Horner McDonough.

True Believer — An earnest pastor and a remorseful activist reveal how a religion was hijacked for political gain, underscoring what’s at stake for our Democracy if the evangelical community doesn’t reckon with its own history. Director: Kristen Irving-Jordan.

SORTED or: How I learned to stop worrying and save the world— A young Bangladeshi woman takes her uncertain future into her own hands to change the destiny of her family, her country and the planet. Director: Kurt Norton.

Stripped for Parts: American Journalism at the Crossroads — Hedge funds and private equity are plundering what is left of America’s newspapers. The film follows the struggle for the resources and soul of America’s news media. Production grant. Director: Rick Goldsmith.

“Once again we’re overwhelmed by the outstanding projects independent doc filmmakers are producing,” said Hugh Rogovy, Foundation Founder. “We’re pleased to announce this summer’s winners, and look forward to the impact they will achieve.”

Applications are now being accepted for the Winter 2019 Open Call, which ends November 15th.

Summer 2019 Awards

Winter 2018 Awards

January 28, 2019

Six Documentaries Awarded Winter 2018 Grants

We are pleased to announce the Miller / Packan Documentary Film Fund Winter 2018 award winners. The Fund awards grants totaling $200,000 to between six and twelve film projects annually through Summer and Winter open calls.

Untitled Jefferson County Project — As states compete to attract multinational companies, with tax incentives for the promise of jobs, a West Virginia community fights to stop a manufacturing plant from being built in their backyard. Director: Jamie Coughlin.

NEVERTHELESS — A documentary that examines the sexual harassment crisis in the American workplace through interviews and personal stories, revealing truths about the intricacies of the issue while also offering solutions. Director: Sarah Moshman.

Fashion Reimagined: A Sustainable Odyssey — Horrified that the fashion industry is among the top most polluting in the world, Amy Powney of Mother of Pearl attempts to produce a sustainable collection that can be traced from field to finished garment. Director: Becky Hutner.

The Cannons — The story of the largest junior African-American hockey team in North America, and four senior boys in their final make or break year of high school. A story about hope; the power of sport; and the pursuit of the American Dream. Director: Rob Ford.

The American Question — An apolitical story about the social and political divide in America, exploring the divisions between different citizens, religions, communities and people of different political viewpoints. Director: James Kicklighter. www.theamericanquestion.com

“With so many excellent submissions, we’re thrilled to increase the size of our grants,” said Asher Rogovy, Foundation Vice-President. “These films all tackle important issues.”

Applications are now being accepted for the Summer 2019 open call, which ends May 15th.

Winter 2018 Awards

Annual Miller / Packan Documentary Film Funding Increased

October 9, 2018

The Rogovy Foundation is proud to announce an increase in its annual Miller / Packan Film Funding. Awarded bi-annually, the Fund will now award grants totaling $200,000 to between eight and twelve documentary film projects per year. The next Winter open call ends November 15th, 2018, and the Summer open call ends June 15th, 2019.

Already providing $150,000 annually in grants for the past two years, the Foundation is committing an additional $50,000 per year to further impact funding opportunities for documentary filmmakers.

Read our Press Release.

Ending Solar Poverty

August 30, 2018

In August 2018, The Rogovy Foundation provided a developmental grant to Beyond the Light‘s solar project in Nicaragua, installing energy kits for homes without electricity, providing lights and USB charging for cell phones, fans and radio. In addition, they are adding solar kits to the local water system, which will add sustainable access to clean drinking water for the village of El Tomate. Plans are also in place to assemble and install sustainable solar energy in El Carmen and La Mora in Nicaragua at the end of the year. Read their September Update Report.

Beyond the Light’s mission is to end energy poverty by providing the resources necessary to bring electricity to homes and training locals to build and repair solar systems for their communities. The dedicated staff at Beyond the Light leave behind a process to provide sustainable energy solutions and job creation.

The (Un)Scientific Method

July 11, 2018

In July 2018, The Rogovy Foundation partnered once more with The Center of Investigative Reporting. This year, a Frontier Grant was awarded for their (Un)Scientific Method project. We are in awe at their continued impact and dedication to investigative reporting and are thrilled to support such hard work and commitment.

In 2017, CIR launched The (Un)Scientific Method, an investigative reporting beat focused on publishing investigative reports exposing conflicts between science and government during a time of significant political upheaval in Washington, D.C. The focus of this work is on uncovering new stories that are relevant to the science and technology ecosystem and the powerful way in which Washington influences scientific progress. In particular, they have sought to examine the politicization of scientific decision making at the federal level, the impact of anti-science appointees to the cabinet and federal agencies, and conflicts of interest that inhibit scientific innovation, research and regulation that would be in the public’s best interest.

Summer 2018 Awards

July 6, 2018

Six Documentaries Awarded Summer 2018 Grants

We are pleased to announce the Miller / Packan Documentary Film Fund Summer 2018 award winners. The Fund awards grants totaling $150,000 to between six and ten film projects annually through Summer and Winter open calls.

These six selections represent a cross section of interests that the Foundation supports:

Lady Buds — Six women are transitioning from the black market cannabis industry in California. These modern-day superheroes put principles before profits and challenge the cultural stigma around cannabis. Director: Chris Russo. www.ladybudsmovie.com

Bastards’ Road — Walking almost 6,000 miles, Marine Veteran Jonathan Hancock fights PTSD and other demons from the war. In the solitude of the road and in the company of his fellow Marine brothers and gold star families, Hancock discovers his survivable self. Director: Brian Morrison. www.bastardsroad.com

Safer Stuff: Green Chemistry Gets Down to Business — Highlighting solutions to problems of toxic chemicals in everyday products, a passionate group of green chemists and entrepreneurs adopt green chemistry solutions and safe products. Director: William Hemminger.

Healing from Hate: Battle for the Soul of a Nation — An examination of the root causes of hate group activity through the work of Life After Hate – an organization founded by former Skinheads and Neo-Nazis now engaged in de-radicalizing and transforming violent extremists. Director: Peter Hutchinson. www.bigtentproductions.nyc

Eternal Harvest — Hundreds of Laotians work to clear their country of millions of deadly unexploded bombs from a U.S. bombing campaign 50 years ago; one American, a retired Wisconsin school principal, Jim Harris, works among them in the field. Director: Jerry Redfern. www.eternalharvestfilm.com

Trumphobia: What Both Sides Fear — Fervent supporters and scared opponents were hypnotized by Trump’s rhetoric and the media’s interpretation, increasing a dangerous political division. Can they stop and listen to each other before they tear apart democracy as we know it. Director: Carolina Sosa.

“These documentaries all raise awareness about very timely issues.” said Asher Rogovy, Foundation Vice-President. “We are glad to be supporting them.”

Applications are now being accepted for the Winter 2019 open call, which ends November 15th.

Summer 2018 Awards

The Guardians featured on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver!

June 5, 2018

“It’s alarmingly easy for a total stranger to gain total control over the life of a senior citizen.” John Oliver features our supported film: The Guardians on last week’s episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

The segment exposes the flaws with court-appointed guardians and includes clips from the film and its characters.

We couldn’t be more proud. Congratulations to the team!

Watch the segment and read the Rolling Stone article here.

False Confessions wins the ‘Politikens Publikumspris’ at CPH:DOX !

March 26, 2018

Our sponsored film: False Confessions – In the Closed Room has just won the ‘Politikens Publikumspris’ at CPH:DOX in Denmark. The Politiken Audience Award celebrates freedom of expression. Congratulations!

Miller / Packan Focus Fund

February 12, 2018

The Rogovy Foundation Announces New ‘Focus Fund’
Development Grants for Targeted Topics

The Rogovy Foundation announces a new grant opportunity for documentary filmmakers. The Focus Fund provides $15,000 in development capital for specific documentary film topics selected by The Rogovy Foundation. The Foundation’s goal is to encourage awareness, debate and solutions on issues it has identified as ripe for further discussion.

Already providing $150,000 annually in grants through its Miller / Packan documentary fund, the Foundation is committing an additional $60,000 per year for projects curated by its staff.

Currently there are nine topics listed on the Web site that are soliciting Requests for Proposals. In addition to the Topic, the listing includes other elements such as Suggested Logline, Story Premise, Impact Potential and possibly some initial reference material or links. Periodically, the Foundation will be adding new topics.

Some of the topic working titles are: The Empathy Gene; Cannabis vs. Opioids; The Ark of Taste; The Arms Race of Higher Education; The People vs. K Street; Before You Know it; Missing Public Heroes; Medicare for All – The Business Case; The Coming Digital Privacy Crisis.

Candidates who wish to develop one of these projects further are asked to submit a brief proposal using our online submission page. The entire proposal will be roughly two pages in length. If a filmmaker submits a compelling and winning proposal, the funds will be disbursed immediately. The topic idea plus all legal rights to the proposed documentary film reside with the filmmaker.

There is no time limit or deadline to these Request for Proposals. Once a filmmaker submits a proposal that the Foundation feels properly handles the development of this project, we will grant the $15,000 and close the topic to further submissions.

“As huge fans and supporters of documentary films, we’re keen to contribute topic ideas that may have a significant impact,” says Hugh Rogovy, Foundation Founder. “We’ll be curating new topics during the coming year,” added Asher Rogovy, Foundation Vice-President “periodically adding them to our Focus Fund listings.”

Miller / Packan Focus Fund