Grant Size: $1,000-$2,000
Application Deadline: January 15

Background
The Jane Morrison Memorial Film Fund supports educational opportunities for filmmakers who are in the early stages of career development. Attendance at such places as the Summer Film Institute in New York or the Sundance Institute in Utah is often an important catalyst for an active film career, but can be prohibitively expensive. This fund was established to help filmmakers attain such instruction, with preference given but not restricted to those residing in Maine.

Jane Morrison, an Augusta-area native, died suddenly while on location shooting a film in Africa. Jane's career in filmmaking began when she was an English teacher at Cony High School in Augusta and participated in that school's first Maine Arts Commission-supported Artist-In-Residence Film Program. She received special training in filmmaking, continued to develop the film program at Cony, and then went on to a full-time career in filmmaking. Among her titles are Sarah Orne Jewett's The White Heron, Master Smart Woman, and The Two Worlds of Angelita.

Evaluation Criteria
An advisory committee makes their selection based on the quality of previous work and financial need. Acceptance into the program for which aid is requested is encouraged but not required. The committee prefers applications that cover tuition costs rather than living expenses.

Eligibility Requirements
Applications will be accepted from filmmakers who are not enrolled in post-secondary schooling. Applications from Maine filmmakers are encouraged.

How to Apply
Applications must be postmarked by January 15 and sent to:

The Jane Morrison Memorial Film Fund
Maine Community Foundation
PO Box 7380
Portland, ME 04112.

We will not accept applications via fax or email.

Applicants should submit a letter that responds to the following questions:

• What is the purpose of your request?
• How is it relevant to your filmmaking career?
• What is the cost of the program you are applying for? Are you receiving any financial aid toward its cost?
• If you are applying for attendance at a workshop or other formal course, include information about the program (such as a brochure).
• Please attach a current resume.
• Include a VHS video or DVD sample of previous work cued to the start point. NOTE: Since the committee's decision rests strongly on this part of your application, be sure to submit a finished, high quality sample.

If you would like your video returned, include a stamped and self addressed envelope. Submissions without a SASE will not be returned.

Please include your name, address, phone number and social security number on the project summary and video submission.

Contact
If you have any further questions regarding the Jane Morrison Memorial Film Fund, please contact Pam Cleghorn in MaineCF's Portland Office via email or by phone at (207) 761-2440.

2007 Morrison Filmmaking Fellows

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