SFFS Announces 2014 Documentary Film Fund Winners

The San Francisco Film Society has announced the winners for their 2014 Documentary Film Fund with awards totaling more than $75,000. All films are in postproduction, and since its inception the fund has awarded over $300,000 to filmmakers with non-fiction documentary films. Previous winners include Cutie and the Boxer, American Promise, and Narco Cultura.

Below are this year’s winners, with descriptions provided by SFFS.

The Joneses, Moby Longinotto
$30,627

The Joneses is a portrait of Jheri, a 73-year-old transgender trailer park matriarch, who lives in bible belt Mississippi. Reconciled with her family after years of estrangement, and now living with two of her sons, Jheri embarks on a new path to reveal her true self to her grandchildren. Will their family bonds survive?

Romeo is Bleeding (pictured), Jason Zeldes
$22,500

Donte Clark’s poetic voice was honed on the violent street corners of a struggling city. Yet rather than succumb to the pressures of Richmond, CA, Clark uses his artistic perspective to save his city from itself.

$22,500

In a new America where the promise of education, safety and shelter are in jeopardy, three Detroit men fight to build something lasting for themselves and future generations.

“We are thrilled to continue our tradition of supporting innovative documentary films that feature compelling stories told through a strong visual aesthetic,” said Michele Turnure-Salleo, director of Filmmaker360. “This round of winners has captivated us with their striking and charismatic characters, and we can’t wait to see the finished films and experience the unique and fascinating worlds their subjects inhabit. Our deepest thanks go to Jennifer Battat, whose generous support has been critical to the growing success of the Documentary Film Fund.”