Jewish Story Partners (JSP), a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles dedicated to funding films, has recently unveiled its latest round of grants, supporting 19 documentary film projects. This significant announcement from Jewish Story Partners highlights their ongoing commitment to amplifying a wide spectrum of Jewish narratives within the film industry. Launched in April 2021 with the backing of Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg’s Righteous Persons Foundation, Jewish Story Partners is making substantial strides in fostering Jewish culture through cinematic arts. The organization is allocating $490,000 to these independent films, each poised to explore the rich and varied landscape of Jewish storytelling. This announcement arrives during Jewish American Heritage Month, underscoring the timely importance of initiatives that promote understanding and awareness of Jewish American heritage, aligning with the Biden administration’s commitment to combating antisemitism and enriching cultural understanding.
Since its inception, Jewish Story Partners has played a pivotal role in the film world, distributing $2 million across 72 documentaries, each contributing to the tapestry of diverse Jewish stories. Building on the success of JSP-funded films that have previously premiered at prestigious events like Sundance Film Festival—including critically acclaimed works such as Paula Eiselt’s “Under G-d,” Luke Lorentzen’s “A Still Small Voice,” and Ondi Timoner’s Oscar-shortlisted “Last Flight Home”—the newest cohort of grantees represents an eclectic mix of artists and thematic explorations. Jewish Story Partners not only champions new projects but also strengthens its commitment to past recipients through the Reprise Program, designed to deepen investment in previously supported filmmakers. Looking ahead, Jewish Story Partners has announced its call for entries for the upcoming granting cycle in 2024, signaling continued support for Jewish documentary filmmaking.
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The diverse range of projects selected by Jewish Story Partners for the 2023 grants includes: “Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round” (directed and produced by Ilana Trachtman), which promises a unique perspective; “Alliance of Shame” (directed and produced by Jeremy Borison), tackling potentially sensitive and important issues; “Angels of Amsterdam” (directed by Eric J. Adams, with notable executive producers Mitch Albom, Ulrika Grünwald Citron, and Eric Leemon), suggesting a compelling narrative with broad appeal; “At the Barricades” (directed and produced by David France, produced by Paul McGuire, and executive produced by Soledad O’Brien), hinting at a film with strong journalistic and investigative roots; “Carlebach Project Untitled” (directed by Simon Mendes, produced by Heidi Reinberg), likely exploring cultural or musical heritage; “Earth Camp One” (directed and produced by Jennie Livingston), which could delve into environmental themes through a Jewish lens; “GPS vs. The Knowledge” (directed and produced by David Shapiro), an intriguing title suggesting a contemporary social commentary; “Jews by Choice” (directed by Tomer Slutzky and Justyna Gawelko, produced by Dan Shadur, Michał Szymanowicz, and Abraham Troen), directly addressing identity and belonging; “Mother India, Father Israel” (directed by Avi Dabach, co-produced by Ram Devineni), promising a cross-cultural exploration; “Our Home Is Not of This World” (directed by Russ Finkelstein, produced by Phil Pinto and Manuel F. Contreras), a title that evokes themes of spirituality and displacement; “Plunderer” (directed by Hugo Macgregor, produced by John S. Friedman), suggesting a historical or investigative documentary; “A Pocketful of Miracles: A Tale of Two Siblings” (directed and produced by Aviva Kempner), likely a personal and heartwarming story; “The Trouble With Betty” (directed and produced by Elizabeth Wolff, produced by Holly Meehl Chapman), hinting at a biographical or character-driven narrative; and “Yair” (directed by Deem Banton, produced by Stephen Tedeschi), which remains enigmatic but adds to the diverse portfolio.
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The selection process for these spring 2023 grants was guided by a distinguished jury, including Senain Kheshgi, director-producer and founder of Majority; Jenny Raskin, executive director of Impact Partners; and Josh Siegel, curator of film at the Museum of Modern Art. In a joint statement, the jurors emphasized the inherent Jewish tradition of questioning, mirrored in documentary filmmaking itself. They noted, “Encompassing a diversity of artistic approaches, contexts, perspectives and communities, the films we selected demonstrate that there is no singular Jewish experience. Each, instead, reminds us of our individual and collective struggle to find our common humanity.” This statement encapsulates the core mission of Jewish Story Partners – to showcase the multifaceted nature of Jewish identity and experience through film.
Roberta Grossman and Caroline Libresco, co-executive directors of Jewish Story Partners, described the organization as “a dream come true.” They further elaborated on the challenges of film funding, especially for independent and diverse Jewish documentary films, stating, “From this challenging reality was born the now realized vision of creating a source of support for a wide array of fiercely independent Jewish documentary films. We couldn’t be prouder of the excellent films that have come to life with the support of JSP.” Stephanie DeVaan, a new donor to Jewish Story Partners, articulated her reasons for investing in the organization: “I invest in JSP because films have the power to distill stereotypes or completely upend them. By supporting projects which depict nuanced and diverse Jewish experiences, JSP invites audiences into all kinds of stories and worlds, building understanding across our perceived divisions. In this tumultuous world, our only path to survival is an understanding of each other. The defining trait of Jewish experience? No two are the same. I am so very proud to support an organization that is broadening the Jewish stories we see on screen.”
Jewish Story Partners receives support from a consortium of significant donors, including the Maimonides Fund, the Jim Joseph Foundation, Adam Irving, The Klarman Family Foundation, Koret Foundation, Lynn and Jules Kroll Fund for Jewish Documentary Films, Kronhill Pletka Foundation, Julie Platt, Mara Burros Sandler, Be Forward Productions, Chara Schreyer, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, and Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan. These partnerships underscore the broad recognition and support for Jewish Story Partners’ mission in promoting Jewish storytelling and cultural heritage through film. For those seeking more information or interested in the upcoming call for entries, the official Jewish Story Partners website is jewishstorypartners.org, a valuable resource for filmmakers and supporters alike.
This initiative by Jewish Story Partners not only provides crucial financial support but also elevates the profile of Jewish stories in the broader cultural landscape, ensuring these diverse narratives are seen and heard. The impact of Jewish Story Partners extends beyond mere funding; it is about fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Jewish culture and identity through the powerful medium of film.
