Fiscal Sponsorship Update: Three Fiscally Sponsored Films Make Good
With all the great films the Film Independent’s Fiscal Sponsorship program supports, we can’t help to brag about all the awesome work in the program from time to time. That’s exactly what we do in our Fiscal Sponsorship Update columns.
This month, we’re featuring a trio of films that have leveled up in one way or another. We have a feature that got an announcement in Variety, one that will have its world premiere at this year’s Slamdance, and one that nabbed a nomination at this year’s NAACP Image awards. Congrats to all the filmmakers! Read more to see what all the excitement is about!
ZUGZWANG
Project Type: Fiction Feature
Project Status: Development
Filmmaker: Bridget Stokes
Synopsis: A private detective takes a job, hoping for redemption, and finds herself in the midst of an ever-expanding world of corruption.
Update: Christina Elmore (Insecure) is attached to star and the film was announced in Variety, which said “Stokes, Owens and Levenfeld will also visit Park City to meet with potential distributors and partners as “Zugzwang” moves into its next phase of development.”
CIRILO, A LEGACY UNTOLD
Project Type: Nonfiction Short
Project Status: Complete
Filmmaker: Justin O. Cooper
Synopsis: Born into poverty in Panama, Cirilo McSween defies the systemic racism of Jim Crow America to pursue the American Dream. As an entrepreneur and civil rights activist, he battles prejudice and inequality to become a transformative figure in the histories of Panama and Chicago, inspiring generations across the Americas.
Update: Now complete, Cirilo, A Legacy Untold has had a successful festival run including winning Best Documentary Short at the San Antonio Black International Film Festival. Recently the film was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Short Form Documentary (Film). You can watch a trailer for the film here:
THREE COLORS: PAN-AFRICAN
Project Type: Fiction Feature
Project Status: Complete
Filmmaker: Elijah Davis, Allison A. Waite, Tyler Ocasio Holmes
Synopsis: An anthology feature film that uses the Pan-African flag as its thematic reference point, featuring three chapters correlated to the colors of the flag: In RED, collegiate football star Ahmari Rose scrambles to save his career after a devastating injury fractures his sense of self worth. In BLACK, a Ghanaian single mother, Joana Mensa, faces deportation after being fired from her job, prompting an unlikely group of heroes to rally around her. In GREEN, Jontavious “John” Rodgers, the up-and-coming star of a struggling Black sitcom, questions his role as the network forces the show into an unexpected direction to boost ratings.
Update: Three Colors: Pan-African will make its world premiere at this year’s Slamdance Film Festival
Through Fiscal Sponsorship, independent filmmakers and media artists gain access to nonprofit funding, helping bring their unique visions to life. These projects embrace diversity, push creative boundaries, and showcase the power of independent storytelling. Want to explore the full lineup of sponsored projects? Head over to our Sponsored Projects page and take a look!
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