SAN FRANCISCO—The Berkeley Film Foundation, a 501(c)(3) grant and educational program for independent filmmakers, is the result of a public-private partnership of Wareham Development, the city of Berkeley and the Saul Zaentz Company. These initial founders remain dedicated to the foundation's mission to nurture, sustain and preserve the thriving local film community while attracting the next generation of filmmakers.

Since 2009, the foundation has awarded $1.1 million to local filmmakers for projects in the production, post production and distribution stages, including $90,000 to local student filmmakers. Many Berkeley Film Foundation grant winners have gone on to screen at US and international film festivals, be recognized with prestigious awards, receive television broadcasts and are making a difference around the world.

East Bay filmmakers and supporters of independent filmmaking gathered at the Saul Zaentz Center earlier this month to celebrate the latest round of film grants handed out by the Berkeley Film Foundation. The largest award granted is the $25,000 Saul Zaentz Award, given each year to honor the filmmaker's legacy. An award of $20,000 is given in honor of social justice advocate and Berkeley Film Foundation founding member, Al Bendich.

“Through a passionate private and public partnership, the Berkeley Film Foundation has grown over the last few years to become the significant patron of a vibrant, diverse and tremendously important filmmaking cluster in the Eastshore,” Rich Robbins, president, Wareham Development and a founding board member of Berkeley Film Foundation tells GlobeSt.com. “We're privileged to play a part in supporting independent filmmaking and the documentarians who shine a vital light on our society and values.”

These annual grants support a wide range of filmmakers and documentarians who live or work in Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Emeryville, Oakland and Richmond, CA.

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