Storytelling for Social Change

Supports first- and second-time nonfiction filmmakers through $40,000 in grant funding for feature-length documentary production, year-long mentorship, and creative retreats. In 2025, nine filmmakers received grants through this program.

Provides ongoing support to more than 500 women and gender-expansive documentary filmmakers globally through peer networks, online and in-person learning spaces, small group mentorship, and exclusive resources.

Provides year-long mentorship, one-on-one consultations, tailored industry meetings, and peer-to-peer cohort calls to strengthen the creative and professional infrastructure of documentary filmmakers across multiple programs.

Recognizes women and gender-expansive documentary filmmakers at advanced stages of their careers with a $75,000 award, including $50,000 in unrestricted funding and $25,000 for project-specific support. In 2026, awarded $450,000 in grants to six filmmakers through this program.

Organizes two in-person creative retreats annually for participating filmmakers to foster creative development, peer connection, and engagement with industry leaders. In 2025, these retreats were relocated to Canada to improve international accessibility.

Supports documentary films that have gone on to receive Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, and Peabody Awards, reflecting the program’s impact on high-achieving nonfiction storytelling.

Has provided over $15 million in grants and thousands of hours of creative mentorship to more than 500 documentary filmmakers globally across all programs.

Receives funding from Netflix for the Research & Development Grant program and in-kind support from Baker Hostetler, The Ford Foundation, and Two Trees Cultural Space Subsidy Program to advance filmmaker services.

Supports filmmakers in implementing strategic impact and engagement plans for their completed documentary films, providing resources and guidance to maximize public reach and social impact.

Provides grants of $10,000 for research or $20,000 for development to support women and gender-expansive filmmakers in the early stages of feature documentary projects. In 2025, funded 29 projects with a total of $450,000.

Targets documentary filmmakers who demonstrate collaborative and risk-taking methods and who have unique access to their subjects, integrating this focus across grantmaking and mentorship programs.

Hosted at DOC NYC, this event features documentary films from Chicken & Egg Pictures grantees, providing visibility and industry exposure. In 2025, showcased six international documentary projects.

Provides microgrants of up to $1,000 to support community film screenings, covering licensing fees and hosting expenses to expand audience engagement with social issue documentaries.

Awards grants to support the production and completion of documentary films that highlight urgent social issues, enabling their participation in major film festivals such as Sundance, Tribeca, and DOC NYC. Examples include "March Forth," "Seized," "Lowland Kids," and "Daughters."

Awards grants and matching funds to nonprofit organizations working on social issues highlighted in supported documentaries, such as Gideon's Promise, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and Bishop Accountability. Grants range from $25,000 to $30,000 and include matching donation campaigns during film festivals.

Organizes and participates in public panel discussions and film festival events, such as at the Sundance and DOC NYC film festivals, to raise awareness about documentaries like "Lowland Kids" and "Nuns vs. The Vatican" and mobilize audience support.

Processes donations to partner organizations such as Gideon's Promise, passing through 100% of funds minus credit card processing fees, to support their mission-aligned work.

Funded the establishment of an education fund for girls featured in the film "Daughters" via Girls For A Change and awarded a $20,000 grant to support disaster services and the creation of a Resilience Hub for the Jean Charles Choctaw Nation.