Cinema Tropical, the New York-based non-profit 501 (c)(3) media arts organization and leading presenter of Latin American cinema in the United States, has been announced as one of the 96 recipients of this year’s FilmWatch and FilmCraft grants, including recipients of the emergency grant funds announced last month in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
All of the grants awarded to the 96 North American organizations— including also the Latinx organizations Chicago Latin Film Festival, the Ambulante documentary film festival, Cine Qua Non Lab, GALA Theatre, and the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP)— were based on current needs to fund organizations that support filmmakers and reach audiences from underserved communities.
“The Academy’s first priority remains to help those in our film community most impacted by the current global crisis. Our contribution of $2 million in emergency funds to the Academy Foundation, along with the grants we bestow on an annual basis, will surely benefit struggling organizations so they may continue to encourage diverse storytelling and enrich cinema and its artists,” said Academy governor and Education Committee chair Nancy Utley in a press release.
“The Academy’s Grants committee is honored to continue to provide much-needed support to these 96 worthy organizations – their impact on the world of film is truly immeasurable,” said Marcus Hu, chair of the Grants committee.
The Academy’s FilmCraft and FilmWatch grants were established to identify and empower future filmmakers from nontraditional backgrounds, cultivate new and diverse talent, promote motion pictures as an art form, and provide a platform for underrepresented artists.
Cinema Tropical will be using grants received from The Academy Foundation to continue its mission of promoting, programming, and distributing Latin American cinema in the U.S. The organization is also preparing to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2021.
