AUSTIN, Texas and WASHINGTON, March 30,
2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Whole Foods Market, the leading
retailer of natural and organic foods and AFI-Discovery Channel
Silverdocs Festival, the nation's leading documentary festival,
announce the launch of a $50,000
grant program for filmmakers working in the green film genre.
A portion of all ticket sales from the "Whole Foods Market Do
Something Reel" Film Festival will go towards a film production and
development grant that will encourage filmmakers to continue making
stories about the environment and the impact of everyday choices
consumers make. Two grants of $25,000
each will be awarded to documentary feature filmmakers at varying
stages of development - from conception through completion.
"AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs has a history of showcasing
the most compelling documentaries about the issues and ideas that
shape our contemporary culture," said Sky
Sitney, Festival Director. "To now be supporting filmmakers
at an earlier, most crucial stage – that of development and
completion - and to be doing so in collaboration with such a
visionary leader in the green arena, Whole Foods Market, is a very
exciting and fulfilling new venture."
The online grant application process will be open from
April 1 – 30 and selected grant
candidates will be notified by June
14. The Whole Foods Market/AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs
"Green Grant" will be presented at the 2011 AFI-Discovery Channel
Silverdocs Festival Awards Ceremony on June
25. Please visit www.silverdocs.com for
additional criteria, to submit an application and for a contact to
help answer any questions about the review process.
Whole Foods Market and Silverdocs are looking for well thought
out film concepts and films in progress that focus on green themes.
These include concepts that explore issues related to food
sustainability in all its forms such as the environmental or health
benefits of eating whole (minimally processed) and locally grown
foods or a community fighting to keep their neighborhood safe from
chemicals or an individual working hard to keep their small family
farm viable. The film should tell a story of real people
making a difference on important issues. While the story
might possibly paint a grim picture of reality, the heart of the
story should be one of hope and inspiration to others – ultimately
showing what IS possible.
Those wishing to submit their documentary film for
consideration should meet one or more of the following
criteria:
- Previous short or feature film selected to an established film
festival
- Previous short or feature released in theaters or sold for
other distribution
- Graduate level film student with recommendation by
professor
"We realize how difficult it can be to get documentaries in the
lime light, so we hope the festival and the grant program will help
put a spotlight on films that speak to our mission as a company and
to the values of our shoppers," said Marci
Frumkin, marketing and project director of Do Something Reel
Film Festival for Whole Foods Market. "It is a true honor to team
up with Silverdocs to curate the grant process that will help
filmmakers who are passionate about our planet and its tenants
spread their important messages via film."
The "Whole Foods Market Do Something Reel" Film Festival is
presented in association with Applegate Farms and RiceSelect™, with
additional support from Preserve® Gimme 5, a partnership between
Preserve®, Stonyfield Farm®, Brita®, Tom's of Maine® and Seventh
Generation™, as well as EVOL Foods, Food Should Taste Good and
siggi's. For more information about the "Whole Foods Market Do
Something Reel" Film Festival go to www.dosomethingreel.com.
CONTACT: Erin Bruce, Falco
Ink., 212.445.7100, ErinBruce@FalcoInk.com
Robin Rehfield, 617.401.4145,
robin.rehfield@wholefoods.com
Jody Arlington, 202.316.4316,
jarlington@AFI.com
SOURCE Whole Foods Market
