Chicken & Egg Films supports documentaries that excite us, move us, impress us, challenge us, and inspire us. When we support a project, it is because we believe the film needs to be made–and that the particular filmmaker is the one to make it. Our grantees have unique access to their protagonists, a collaborative spirit, and the courage to take creative risks.

Completing and launching a documentary takes grit, nerve, and creativity; it also takes money, connections, and time. We offer filmmakers the tools to realize the full potential of their projects, both as works of art and as catalysts for change. Each of our programs represents a pivotal intervention in a filmmaker’s career; through them, we empower storytellers to direct their own careers in the field.

Women and gender-expansive filmmakers are behind all of our films. While great strides have been made for gender equity in the documentary field, it’s not enough; according to the Center for Media and Social Impact, 70% of documentary films distributed between 2014-2020 were directed by men, while 29% were directed by women and less than 1% by non-binary filmmakers. Films by women and gender-expansive filmmakers bring new perspectives to a world long steeped in dominant narratives of the patriarchy.

Gender equity is our focus, yet we recognize that all forms of inequity are deeply linked, and we work for inclusivity in terms of race, class, geography, sexual orientation, disabilities, and other factors that can limit access.