The Chicken & Egg Award recognizes women and gender-expansive filmmakers at advanced stages in their careers who are poised to reach new heights in their creative and impact trajectories across the world.
Despite progress by talented women and gender-expansive documentary filmmakers across the globe, there are often still numerous roadblocks that stand in the way of a true industry breakthrough. These barriers are often tied to gender, race, class, disability, and geography. Only a few women and gender-expansive nonfiction directors in the United States and abroad are able to work full time as independent storytellers, and few are folks of color, from working-class backgrounds, or from under-represented countries.
There are, however, a growing number who are getting close. Each has made several films, and each is an influential leader for the issues they explore on screen. With this Award, Chicken & Egg Films is making a bold investment in these creatives and a statement about gender equity. A greater diversity of voices participating in storytelling drives change. We believe this effort is inextricably connected to elevating critical social justice, environmental, and human rights issues.
The Chicken & Egg Award consists of a $75,000 USD cash award and a year-long mentorship program. Of the total, $50,000 is unrestricted, allowing filmmakers to decide how to use the funding to support their creative and business practices. The additional $25,000 is a grant for the project(s) the filmmaker will work on during their program year. Our in-depth mentorship program is focused on strengthening Awardees’ professional infrastructure, increasing their visibility, and fulfilling their personal and creative goals.
Filmmakers will:
Define their goals for their year
Brainstorm the best strategy to move them forward
Develop tactics to accomplish those aspirations during their program year
Collaborate with a strategic planning coach and an industry support network
Participate in two group retreats with the opportunity to make connections with veteran filmmakers, industry decision-makers, and fellow Chicken & Egg Awardees
Work closely with Chicken & Egg Films to build industry and creative connections
The Chicken & Egg Award is generously supported through general operating support from our wonderful community of donors and grantmakers.
Recipients of the Chicken & Egg Award are chosen through a confidential nomination process. Unsolicited applications are not accepted. Scroll down to view current and past cohorts of the Chicken & Egg Award.
