The LEF Foundation recently announced major changes to their Moving Image Fund. LEF Foundation program officers will present the details and purpose of their new initiative and will answer all of your questions about the application process. In addition to this presentation, we will also leave time to celebrate the season together.

The workshop is free. Refreshments will be available- but as always, anything you would like to bring to contribute to the table is always welcome!

ABOUT THE LEF FOUNDATION AND THE MOVING IMAGE FUND:

The mission of LEF New England is to fund the work of independent film and video artists in the region and broaden recognition and support for their work locally and nationally.

LEF seeks to accomplish its mission through deeper, more focused, multi-year funding of selected film projects, and by sponsoring programs that highlight the rich history and ongoing legacy of innovation within New England’s independent film community.

Consistent with the Foundation’s original mission, LEF New England supports artists with an independent, creative vision whose work informs and animates the larger public conversation essential to a democracy.


LEF New England continues to be a regional funder, advocating for, and supporting, the innovative work of both emerging and established independent film and video artists. The overall purpose of LEF’s philanthropic investment is to help build a more sustainable and stronger community of support for artists and their work.

Moving Image Fund Overview
LEF New England launched the Moving Image Fund (MIF) in 2002 to support independent film and video artists creating work in all genres. In the current transition from a broader to a more defined funding strategy, LEF will focus its funding on documentary filmmaking, with the goal of applying the learning from this deeper investment in one genre.

LEF will provide multi-year funding to fewer projects, across all phases of production, providing support from the early risk-taking stage through a film’s completion. In this way, the Fund offers a continuum of support for selected projects, while continuing to identify new talent. With fewer projects being funded, LEF anticipates a highly competitive grant process. In identifying projects to support, LEF will follow the lead of artists whose innovative work continues to push the boundaries of independent filmmaking.

For the next several grant rounds, MIF will specifically support documentary filmmakers. However, the long term view for the Fund is to expand its support for the broader community of independent producers in New England in response to future trends and opportunities.

Eligible projects must have a running time of no less than 40 minutes.

Criteria for Project Funding:
• Quality of cinematic form and technique
• Originality of filmmaker’s voice, vision, and point of view
• Resonance and power of the film’s core idea or story
• Feasibility of production