The Women In Film Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2007 Film Finishing Fund. This year, ten finalists were chosen from a field of 125 applicants from 21 states and six foreign countries. Their works include eight feature documentaries, one documentary short and one narrative feature.
The WIFF Film Finishing Fund supports filmmakers who make thoughtful and provocative films by or about women. The program was created to assist filmmakers seeking completion funds for works which demonstrate advanced, innovative skills and which relate to the goals of Women In Film. The only one of its kind, the WIFF Film Finishing Fund is in its 22nd year of existence and has awarded more than $1.6 million in cash and in-kind services.
The WIFF Film Finishing Fund is extremely grateful for the support of Women In Film's National Presenting Sponsor and 2006-2007 underwriter, The General Motors Corporation. The Foundation sincerely thanks Terry Lawler and New York Women In Film and Television, The Adrienne Shelly Memorial Fund and Paula Monma and Kim Roussel at Cinespace (www.cinespace.info).The 2007 Film Finishing Fund Recipients:
 | GOLDEN GLOVES This feature documentary explores the role of women in the Golden Gloves, America's oldest and most prestigious amateur boxing tournament. (www.goldenglovesmovie.com)
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 | THE DARING PROJECT This documentary feature gives an intimate portrait of five great ballet dancers battling against ageism, injury and time as they create a world premiere of choreographer Margo Sappington’s tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. |
| BEYOND BELIEF This documentary feature follows two 9/11 widows as they make the journey from their comfortable suburban neighborhoods to the most desperate Afghan villages. Along the way they discover a powerful bond with each other and an unlikely kinship with widows halfway around the world. (www.principlepictures.com/beyondbelief)
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| STILL WAITING: LIFE AFTER KATRINA This documentary feature tells the story of three related African American women from the bayou, their extended family and their community as they survive Hurricane Katrina and struggle against emotional, social, economic and political obstacles to recover form their losses and rebuild their lives. www.stillwaiting.colostate.edu
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 | PRAYING WITH LIOR This documentary feature explores how a child with mental retardation grows up after his mother dies young. |
| FREEHELD Lt. Laurel Hester has three months left to live and all she wants is for her pension benefits to go to her life partner, Stacie. Laurel is told "no"; they are not married, and Stacie is entitled to nothing. This documentary short follows Laurel's passionate battle against this injustice. (www.freeheld.com) |
 | TEA AND JUSTICE This documentary feature, three petite Asion immigrant women help to change the face of the N.Y.P.D. and transform its soul. (www.teaandjustice.com) |
| HOLLER BACK Voters and activists are interviewed in this documentary feature, to explore what motivates people to become involved (or not) in U.S. elections. Based on these interviews and other research, the documentary presents ideas for changes in the election process that could stimulate greater voter participation. (www.hollerbackfilm.com)
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 | RACING DAYLIGHT This narrative feature asks the question - what happens when time collides? The answer is: Sadie believes she is going insane, Edmund is sure he is being haunted and Henry...well, Henry's racing daylight. (www.racingdaylightthemovie.com) |
 | THE BREAST CANCER DIARIES This documentary feature intimately chronicles Ann Murray Paige, a TV news reporter diagnosed with breast cancer as she begins a series of video diaries. Ann confronts her disease and far larger issues - from "drive-through mastectomies" to how beauty is defined. (www.thebreastcancerdiaries.com) |
