Durham, N.C. – Jan. 24, 2024 – Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) is pleased to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts Projects award of $30,000. This grant will support the SDF Mentorship Program, which helps to provide information, resources, and access to documentary filmmakers in the American South who are often underrepresented and underserved by major documentary hubs. These funds will allow SDF to expand their reach and accessibility by offering virtual and in-person services through partnerships with regional film festivals, community organizations, and industry professionals. In total, the NEA will award 958 Grants for Arts Projects awards totaling more than $27.1 million that were announced as part of its first round of fiscal year 2024 grants. 

“The NEA is delighted to announce this grant to Southern Documentary Fund, which is helping contribute to the strength and well-being of the arts sector and local community,” said National Endowment for the Arts Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “We are pleased to be able to support this community and help create an environment where all people have the opportunity to live artful lives.”

“We are grateful for the NEA’s continued support of this vital mentorship program, said Clint Jukkala, Executive Director of SDF. This funding will provide Southern documentary makers with essential resources and feedback as they share their stories and realize their creative work.”

For more information on other projects included in the NEA’s grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.