The Berkeley FILM Foundation
Report on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Work
Since the Berkeley FILM Foundation’s creation in 2009, the organization has funded 233 projects. Here are some statistics related to the diversity of our grantees:
80 were by filmmakers of color representing 34.33 % of our total (Black, Latino, Middle Eastern, Asian and Indigenous).
Other categories of diversity (LGBTQ+, Disabled and Senior filmmakers) make up 13.30 % or 31 projects funded.
Combined, 47.64% of BFF’s grantees fall into a Diversity category.
Black directors have produced 8.58% of the funded films, or 20 projects.
Additionally, 59.23% of films granted have been directed by women.
We have funded seven (7) films that have focused on Disability, three of which were directed by filmmakers who identify as having a disability.
Of the 151 grants given to white directors since 2009, 47% of the films by these directors have a non-white subject or address a topic highlighting underrepresented communities.
In 2020, 9 of the 15 grantees were BIPOC filmmakers, representing 60% of the winners.
The review committee for the 2021 grant cycle was the most diverse to-date; of the eight people on the panel, five identify as people of color. This means that half of each pair tasked with reviewing a slate of films is a person of color, which is important to ensure that our applications are reviewed by people who are of varying expertise, tastes, education,
Starting in the 2020 grant cycle, the Berkeley FILM Foundation has added a $25,000 grant from the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation for the annual “Elevate Award” which goes specifically to a young, up-and-coming filmmaker of color. Alex Bledsoe received the inaugural award in 2020 for her film OAKLEAD. This grant has a five-year contract.
Regarding our grant allocation process, the grant application was changed in the spring of 2021 to include demographic questions of its applicants. Though these questions are optional, they were added with the intention of learning more about the community we are serving and reaching. It will also be the beginning of collecting valuable data needed to change or improve our programming or outreach. We are also continuing to make the application more accessible, such as – allowing applicants to submit non-written applications (allowing oral or video project descriptions). We are open to hosting private, proctored workshops to those in need to additional assistance.
We have also changed our review rubric to de-value spelling, grammar and sentence structure because this has historically been a barrier for non-fluent English speakers and people from underrepresented communities.
The organization has begun the process of diversifying the Board of Directors, which currently has two members of color and the Advisory Committee has one. The Board will be increasing this number over the next three years because the organization is committed to including the most diverse voices, perspectives, expertise and insights to run the organization and move it forward.
In November of 2019, the Berkeley FILM Foundation created the Award for Justice and Inclusion in Film to be given to an exceptional filmmaker for their body of work challenging social norms and addressing difficult topics related to race, gender, sexuality, disability, etc. Cheryl Dunye was the inaugural winner in 2019 and we will continue giving an award each year.