OVERVIEW 

We believe that documentary media, when properly aligned with coordinated outreach, is one of the most effective methods available to bring important issues to the public’s attention and affect social change. Media and culture have become essentially inseparable. Our strategic approach involves viewing media projects as a suite of inter-related components. We see successful media projects as having three parts:


Film and video are the vehicles that bring issues to the public’s attention. Their primary purpose is to move people to want to know more. It's not what people leave the theater thinking so much as what they leave the theater feeling, because feelings can drive them to take action. A great film is the starting point for a successful outcome.


The Internet has become the primary source of in-depth information about everything. Web sites provide ideal places for individuals to investigate issues and link to organizations working for change. All EMF projects must have a professionally designed, interactive web site that enables social networking features.


Individuals and organizations need specific actions they can take to get involved in a meaningful way so they don’t feel overwhelmed and powerless in the face of global challenges. This might include downloading consumer purchasing guides so they can begin to “vote with their dollars,” offering petitions or letters they can send electronically to their elected representatives, or opportunities to volunteer or otherwise get directly involved in a grassroots activities where they live. Simple action items are essential for every successful social change campaign.

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Please note that EMF is primarily focused on assisting documentary filmmakers creating media (films, video, digital) for broad public distribution (theatrical, semi-theatrical, television, cable, Internet) about significant environmental and related health and social justice issues.  We work with donors and donor advisors, foundations, NGOs, investors and those with or seeking fiscal sponsorship. Please see our Selection Criteria.

We do not assist with other forms of media (print, publishing, musical) or other types of environmental efforts, either for profit or nonprofit, or business startups, inventions, or consumer products, or projects that are strictly commercial in nature (e.g. not primarily charitable, educational or scientific).  We are precluded by law from assisting proposals espousing political or religious points of view.  We are not generally supporters of feature films or other fictional projects unless they have clearly defined public benefits.