2017 #CREATELOUISIANA DOCUMENTARY FILM GRANT
In collaboration with institutional partners, New Orleans Film Society + the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, along with industry sponsor Kyotocolor, #CreateLouisiana launched its first documentary feature grant in August 2017.
This unprecedented opportunity for the Louisiana documentary community provides a $40,000 grant package to one documentary feature director-producer team comprised of Louisiana residents. The team receives a $10,000 cash grant, with support from NOFS + LEH, along with a $30,000 post-production package from Kyotocolor.
From an open call for applications, five finalists were selected and pitched their projects before the grant review committee in October. We are thrilled to announce the recipient, the finalist projects, and the talented teams behind them all.
Read on to learn more about the 2017 #CreateLouisiana Documentary Feature Film Grant recipient and this year's finalists.
1000 YEAR FLOOD
Dir. Lauren Durr | Prod. Dane Moreton
In August of 2016, an unnamed storm dumped 33 inches of rain in south Louisiana, damaging 143,000 homes. The forgotten victims of Louisiana's Great Flood must rely on each other to survive when their government fails them.
BUCKJUMPING
Dir. Lily Keber | Prods. Tim Watson + Stephen Rose
A cinematic journey through the soul of New Orleans. This film explores several communities' expression through
movement, painting a dynamic portrait of a city's spirituality and resistance.
2017 DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM GRANT RECIPIENT
BLOODTHICKER
Bloodthicker received the 2017 #CreateLouisiana Documentary Feature Film Grant. The film comes from a dynamic team of
Louisiana filmmakers:
Director: Zac Manuel
Producer: Chris Haney
Director of Photography: Zac Manuel
SYNOPSIS: Bloodthicker is the story of three young men, rappers, and friends whose fathers were three of the most influential rappers to ever come out of the South—Juvenile, B.G., and Soulja Slim. A coming-of-age story set within the world of hip-hop, the documentary focuses on the influence their father's legacies have on their identities, their relationships, and their careers.
HAIL TO THE QUEENS
Dir. Brian Nelson | Prod. Cherice Harrison Nelson
Five Black Mardi Gras Indian Queens of New Orleans must heal their communities of violence, drugs, and emotional pain while protecting the legacy of an age-old tradition as leading women within a male-centered sphere.
MAVIS
Dir. Bill Rodman | Prod. Flo Ulmer
Tells the story of Mavis Fruge and a group of quietly militant, family and friends determined to restore Louisiana French to its rightful place one conversation at a time.
