MISSION

The Berkeley FILM Foundation is a 501(c)(3) grant and educational program for independent filmmakers with a mission to nurture, sustain, and preserve the thriving local film community while attracting the next generation of filmmakers.

STORY

Founded in 2009, the Berkeley FILM Foundation (BFF) provides grants, educational programming, community screenings, and mentorship to independent filmmakers. To date, BFF has awarded more than 240 grants, totaling $2.2 million, to documentary and fiction projects in production, post-production, and distribution created by filmmakers who live in the East Shore cities of the San Francisco Bay Area, including Richmond, El Cerrito, Berkeley, Oakland, and Emeryville.

THE ORGANIZATION

BFF is dedicated to supporting stories that shed light on oppression, inequity, systemic injustice, or environmental degradation, that challenge dominant narratives and center marginalized perspectives. The very heart of our work is the belief that film has the power to spark political, social, and cultural change. 

BFF supports experienced, emerging and student filmmakers, particularly those from underrepresented communities, including artists of color, LGBTQ+ filmmakers, filmmakers with disabilities, seniors, immigrants, and previously incarcerated artists.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR FOUNDERS:

The City of Berkeley, Wareham Development, and the Saul Zaentz Company.

TO OUR OTHER GENEROUS FOUNDERS:

The Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation, The Nancy P. and Richard K. Robbins Family Foundation, The Fleishhacker Foundation, The George Lucas Family Foundation, The Jonathan Logan Family Foundation, California Humanities, LaFetra Foundation, The San Francisco Foundation, The Robertson Family Fund, The Berkeley Civic Arts Commission, Stephen M. Silberstein Foundation, The City of Emeryville, The East Bay Community Foundation, The Alameda County Board of Supervisors, Arent Fox LLP, Bayer, Warner Bros., Pacific Gas & Electric, Van Acker Construction, Shartsis Friese LLP, Wilson Markle Stuckey Hardesty & Bott, LLP, Walter J. Haas, Kava Massih, and Christopher Moscone.

AND TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

The Bay Area Video Coalition, SFFILM, Albany FilmFest, CAFilm, Fishnets & Film, Cinemama, MakeitBay, BAMMS.

SAUL ZAENTZ (1921 – 2013)

Described by The New York Times as “perhaps the last of the great independent producers,” was renowned for adapting complex literary works into films the major studios often deemed too risky or uncommercial. His productions were intelligent, thought-provoking, and technically outstanding—receiving acclaim for cinematography, design, sound, music, direction, and acting.

Born in Passaic, New Jersey to Russian-Polish immigrants, Zaentz served in World War II as a sergeant major in the U.S. Army. After the war, he moved to San Francisco and began working in music sales. In 1954, he toured with major jazz acts like Duke Ellington and Dave Brubeck. By 1955, he joined Fantasy Records in Berkeley, California, rising through its ranks and eventually purchasing the label in 1967 with a group of partners.

Under his leadership, Fantasy signed the Blue Velvets—later renamed Creedence Clearwater Revival—who achieved commercial success with hits like “Susie Q.” In the early 1970s, Zaentz turned to filmmaking. His first major success came with One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), co-produced with Michael Douglas and winner of the Best Picture Oscar.

He followed with Three Warriors, The Lord of the Rings (1978, animated), and the acclaimed Amadeus (1984), which won eight Oscars, including Best Picture. Later films included The Mosquito Coast, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, and At Play in the Fields of the Lord.

In 1996, The English Patient earned Zaentz his third Best Picture Oscar and the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. BAFTA later honored him with its Academy Fellowship in 2003. His final film was Goya’s Ghosts (2006), reuniting him with director Milos Forman.

Each year, we honor Saul Zaentz’ legacy with four, $25,000 grant awards to independent filmmakers crafting exceptional stories. For more information about these awards, please visit our Grants pages.

AL BENDICH (1930–2015)

Al Bendich was a pioneering civil liberties attorney whose legal career helped shape the boundaries of free speech and creative expression in the United States. 

Born in New York City, Bendich moved to California as a child. He earned his undergraduate degree from UCLA and his law degree from UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall. Early in his career, he joined the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Northern California, where he quickly became a key figure in major legal battles over obscenity and artistic expression.

In 1957, Bendich successfully defended poet Allen Ginsberg’s Howl against obscenity charges, arguing that the poem had “redeeming social importance.” Two years later, he defended comedian Lenny Bruce in a free speech case that further cemented his reputation as an advocate for the First Amendment.

In the 1960s, Bendich became general counsel for Fantasy Records where he worked closely with Saul Zaentz, eventually becoming his legal representative in both music and film ventures. Bendich played a crucial role in the production of films such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Amadeus, and The English Patient—all of which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Bendich also taught law and mentored generations of students and activists. His work remains a touchstone in the ongoing fight for civil liberties and artistic freedom.