Grant and Scholarship

We are thrilled to announce a significant enhancement to the annual Vision Grant – Now $10K!

Thanks to our Friends at Oregon Film and the Oregon Made Creative Fund, our annual Vision Grant is now $10,000!

The Vision Grant, now in its 11th year, has been a cornerstone of Women in
Film PDX’s mission to foster creativity, innovation, and inclusivity within the
film community. The grant is designed to provide financial support to
emerging female and nonbinary filmmakers in the Portland Metro area,
enabling them to bring their unique visions to the screen and contribute their
diverse voices to the world of cinema.

The Vision Grant provides financial support ($10,000) to women and non-binary media creators in Oregon and SW Washington (Clark County). This project-based grant aids in a current production while fostering the artist’s professional and personal development.

Finalists will be asked to participate in a pitch session to determine the grant recipient. One grant awardee will be selected to receive $10,000 and the opportunity for mentoring.

ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY:

– WIF-PDX active membership

– 50% women and non-binary crew

– Current resident of Oregon or SW Washington

– Production and post-production takes place primarily in Oregon

Deadline to apply is 11:59pm on October 6th, 2023

Finalists will be notified in November 2023

If you have any questions about the application process, please email: grants@wifpdx.org

We also encourage you to join us at the Fundraising For Your Indie Film event on 8/31

WOMEN IN FILM PDX
AWARD $5,000 VISION GRANT
TO LOCAL EMERGING TALENT
ROBERTA CUMBIANCHERA

Roberta Cumbianchera is the recipient of their $5,000 Vision Grant, a signature program of the organization that supports production of a film by a local female or nonbinary storyteller annually. Over 2 dozen filmmakers applied for the Vision Grant, which was narrowed to three compelling finalists. The finalists gave in-person pitches to WIF-PDX board members and local leaders in the community, Courtney Hermann and Annie Tonsiengsom, after which Cumbianchera’s short film, Navidad de Reserva, was announced as the winner at the WIF-PDX Annual Year-End Party.
 
“We are so grateful to be the grantees of WIF Visions 2022,” Cumbianchera said, “Our film has been shot thanks to the collective effort of our cast and crew and this grant is the last push that we needed to finish post production. The costs of sound mixing and editing can be high and we want to make sure that anyone that works on the team of Navidad de Reserva is paid fairly, because we are all working class. The film had been on standby due to the lack of funds and now we are finally going to see it come to fruition! Thank you so much, Women in Film – Portland Chapter!”
 
“The stark truth and beauty in Roberta’s project doesn’t fit the stereotypical plots formed around the migrant experience. It’s a story that needs to be seen and it resonates clearly with the mission of WIF-PDX, to elevate underrepresented voices in filmmaking. We couldn’t be prouder to support it,” said WIF PDX president, Lisa Miyamoto, “All three finalists moved us with their passion and vision for their stories, and we are energized to find more ways to support and uplift the talent in this dynamic community.”
 
Cumbianchera’s winning project, Navidad de Reserva, follows Florencia, a South American immigrant on Christmas Eve, as she faces challenges and isolation during what’s supposed be the most wonderful time of year. It was written from Cumbianchera’s personal experience as an immigrant, to capture the loss of ever feeling at home and “nostalgia for things you don’t quite remember but can’t let go of.”
 
Karina Lomelin Ripper and Rachel Ward were the WIF-PDX Vision Grant 2022 finalists. Ripper’s project, Chispa, is a horror, dance, short film about female strength and transformation (more at karinaripper.com). And Ward’s feature documentary, Love Me, Bait Me, explores Hollywood’s tenuous relationship with authentic portrayal of diverse LGBTQ+ experiences (see lovemebaitmefilm.com).

WIF-PDX Women’s Vision Grant – APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

The 2022 Women’s Vision Grant provides financial support ($5,000) to women and non-binary media creators in Oregon and SW Washington (Clark County.) This project-based grant aids in current production while fostering the artist’s professional and personal development.

The grant is offered annually through Women in Film Portland, a nonprofit, 501(c) 3 organization dedicated to elevating women in film, communications, and media through education, outreach, and professional development.

Only WIF-PDX members are eligible to apply. Join Women in Film Portland now at www.wifpdx.org

After all grant applications have been received, the WIF-PDX board of directors will evaluate candidates and decide on the final four candidates. The final candidates will participate in a pitch session with professionals.

One grant awardee will be selected to receive $5,000 and the opportunity for mentoring.

Applications are currently being reviewed, and finalists will be notified this week.