Submissions

Andrew Berends Film Fellowship 2022

Andrew Berends was a courageous and talented filmmaker who sought out stories in places which the mainstream media ignored. He shone a light on communities, people, and children facing unimaginable hardships. He traveled, shot, edited, and promoted his work with intense fervor and dedication. The Andrew Berends Film Fellowship was born out of the desire of Andy’s family, friends, and colleagues to keep his memory alive and active in the world of documentary where he himself thrived.

The mission of this fellowship is to support emerging filmmakers from all walks of life that embody Andy’s spirit and determination, with a focus on sharing unheard stories. We hope that the Fellowship experience will help Fellows make a shift in their careers to the next level of success and artistic fulfillment.

The Andrew Berends Film Fellowship will include:

• A one-time grant of at least $5,000 towards filmmaking expenses (this is not a co-production grant);
• Connection with a Fellowship Mentor for guidance in finishing the project;
  
• Additional support and resources as needed, including networking opportunities, complimentary festival passes, and complimentary access to various publications and platforms.
  

Eligibility Requirements

• The Fellowship accepts applicants, 18 years or older, from all backgrounds and locations, working on their first, second, or third feature length documentary.
• Projects must be in production, with at least 25% of production completed.
• Applicants must have a trailer or sample, between 4 and 10 minutes, of their current project, consisting primarily of original material.
• Projects should be in the spirit of Andrew Berends’ work:
  
• The project's primary story must take place in the present, ie no historical documentaries or primarily interview-based documentaries will be considered.
  
• We recommend screening at least 2 of Andy’s films, available here, before applying.
  
• Note that while many of Andy’s films take place in conflict zones, the Fellowship is not limited to films about war; all stories are welcome to be submitted.
  

The Fellowship is entering its third year and we encourage you to learn more about the previous Fellows here, to get a sense of the types of projects we are looking for.