BENT Film Festival Grant
Founded in 1993, BENT Sacramento LGBTQ+ Film Festival (formerly the Sacramento International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival) had a rich, queer history and ran for 30 years. It was the longest-running film festival in Sacramento and the only festival dedicated to highlighting LGBTQ+ artists and their films, showcasing stories that sometimes do not get told.
The goal of BENT was always to change the world through the power of queer cinema, create safe and inclusive spaces for self-expression, inspire an authentic sense of activism in the continued fight for equality, and celebrate the unique heritage and diverse cultures of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
Following the close of the festival, BENT's leaders created this grant opportunity through the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, continuing BENT’s mission of supporting LGBTQ+ filmmakers and artists from across the greater Sacramento region.
This grant opportunity is closed.
Please note that the requirements articulated below were developed for a previous round of the grant opportunity. Details for future rounds may differ.
Details & Eligibility
One or more awards of $500 to $1,200 will be awarded through the BENT Film Festival Grant in 2023 to support projects that showcase some aspect of the LGBTQ+ experience or bring attention to queer stories or history.
The review committee will prioritize projects that reach the following audiences:
- College and high school LGBTQ+ groups
- Filmmaking and art classes/instructions
- LGBTQ+ art galleries
Applicants to the grant must:
- Self-identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community.
- Be in Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer, Sutter, Yolo, or Yuba counties
- Be working on a specific film or art project which they intend to make visible to the community. (We will consider applications from projects that will be shown at an event requiring an admittance fee.)
Preference will be given to students and creators early into their careers.
Timeline
| Activity | Date |
| Grant Launch | September 25, 2023 |
| Grant Deadline | October 20, 2023 |
| Award Notifications | November 13, 2023 (tentative) |
How to Apply
Proposals will only be accepted through our online application. Because this grant caters to individual applicants, it is hosted on a platform separate from our typical grants portal. Consequently, you may need to create a new account when applying. No email or paper applications will be accepted.
For questions about the grant or for technical assistance, contact grants@sacregcf.org.