Championing Diverse Voices: "Chicken & Egg" Film Fund For Documentary Filmmakers

Chicken & Egg Films is a U.S.-based organization dedicated to supporting women and gender-expansive documentary filmmakers worldwide. Established in 2005 by Julie Parker Benello, Judith Helfand, and Wendy Ettinger, the organization offers funding, mentorship, and access to resources, empowering filmmakers to create impactful stories that drive social change.

The organization offers several key programs:

• Chicken & Egg Award: This program honors filmmakers at advanced stages in their careers, providing support to help them reach new creative and impact milestones.

• (Egg)celerator Lab: Targeted at filmmakers working on their first or second feature-length documentary, this initiative offers mentorship and funding to nurture emerging talent.

• Project: Hatched: This program assists filmmakers in developing and executing strategic plans for the impact and engagement of their completed films.

• Research & Development Grant: This grant supports filmmakers in the early stages of their projects, aiding in research and development efforts.

Chicken & Egg Films has been instrumental in producing notable documentaries such as “The Oath” (2010), “The Invisible War” (2012), “The Square” (2013), “Whose Streets?” (2017), “The Feeling of Being Watched” (2018), “One Child Nation” (2019), “Coded Bias” (2020), and “Ascension” (2021).

By fostering a supportive community and providing essential resources, Chicken & Egg Films continues to champion diverse voices in documentary filmmaking, ensuring that compelling stories with the potential to ignite change are brought to the forefront.

Chicken & Egg Films has supported a diverse array of filmmakers whose work has garnered critical acclaim and prestigious awards. Notable filmmakers include:

• Julia Reichert: Co-directed “American Factory,” which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2020.

• Nanfu Wang: Directed “One Child Nation,” an award-winning documentary exploring China’s one-child policy.

• Laura Poitras: Known for “Citizenfour,” which received the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2015.

• Yance Ford: Directed “Strong Island,” a personal documentary that was nominated for an Academy Award.

• Kirsten Johnson: Created “Cameraperson,” a critically acclaimed documentary reflecting on her career as a cinematographer.

These filmmakers exemplify the impactful storytelling that Chicken & Egg Films champions through its support and mentorship programs.