"As we, at The Bigger Screen, strive to connect people and cultures, this is where our focus is. Each year, we will be selecting ten countries and grant filmmakers from those areas the ability to submit their work free of charge to partner festivals all over the world. This opens the door of film exposure to those who may not otherwise be able to enter. As we support inclusivity and shareable films, this program exemplifies our mission."
The Bigger Screen's country selections are far from random. Their committee chooses locations based on humanitarian aspects, cultural needs and the financial situation of that specific region. They strive to provide support to filmmakers in these countries and allow them opportunities to share their art. They believe this program will have an annual financial support of at least $10,000 and allow thousands of filmmakers the opportunity to submit and share their work.
Filmmakers based in the selected countries are entitled to enter their work free of charge by using the “The Bigger Screen Connecting Cultures Program” section on the FilmFreeway film submission page.
From February 2021 until February 2022 included, The Bigger Screen Connecting Cultures Program has chosen to support filmmakers based in the following 10 countries: Burundi, Eritrea, Yemen, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Nepal, Myanmar and Iran.
Seventeen partner film festivals will be implementing the “Connecting Cultures Program” on their FilmFreeway submission pages . Find out which festivals here.
The Bigger Screen aims to make film as an art form more accessible and more inclusive. "We don’t want to see important pieces tucked away in the dark. And at The Bigger Screen, we work on both sides of the screen. We are behind the screen encouraging and supporting filmmakers in their quest to spread their work through grants and opportunity. We stand in front of the screen by welcoming audiences to enjoy this art form, no matter what their social or financial status is."
