The Russo Brothers Italian
American Film Forum Grant

The Russo Brothers

Successful Italian American filmmakers, Anthony and Joseph Russo, have a cinematic repertoire that reaches from the highest grossing Marvel films, to Emmy’s for their prime-time projects. As active members of the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), they’ve partnered with NIAF and ISDA to develop The Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum.

Overview

The Forum provides an incredible opportunity for inspired and creative artists to craft films that explore the Italian American experience. Joe and Anthony invite you to explore the present, past, and future of this unique and important cultural expression and identity.

A select number of applicants will be awarded a $8,000 grant that serves as a production budget for the story they’d like to develop and create for the screen. Documentary, narrative, fiction, and nonfiction are all acceptable formats. There are few rules to the content of your film, only that it illuminates some aspect of the Italian American experience.

Eligibility

These grants are open to people of all nationalities and backgrounds, as the Italian American culture has touched so many of us in profound and resonant ways.

Grants will be awarded based solely on the promise of a film’s premise, how it relates to the Italian American experience, and the creative potential of the filmmakers.

The timeline below highlights all of the key dates to be aware of throughout the program’s entirety. If you’re selected for our grant, your acceptance means an obligation to deliver a film within the bounds of what you outline in the following application pages and by the due date listed below. Failure to complete a film by the final due date or delivery of a film unrelated or outside its immediate description written within the application will result in a full revocation of funds and complete disqualification.

NIAF and ISDA will display the films on their respective websites and reserve the right to screen the films at NIAF and ISDA events as well as not-for-profit events.

We couldn’t be more excited to offer a platform for voices worldwide to tell original Italian American stories.

Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum Now Open

Now in its sixth year, the program annually awards multiple $8,000 grants to ambitious filmmakers around the world to create documentary, fiction or non-fiction narrative films that explore the Italian American experience for the benefit of future generations.

(Washington, D.C. – February 2, 2022) – The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), in conjunction with Directors Anthony and Joe Russo and their company AGBO and the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), are very pleased to announce that the applications are now open for The Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum.

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Now in its sixth year, the program annually awards multiple $8,000 grants to ambitious filmmakers around the world to create documentary, fiction or non-fiction narrative films that explore the Italian American experience for the benefit of future generations. Grants are open to people of all nationalities and backgrounds. The grants will be awarded based solely on the promise of a film’s premise, how it relates to the Italian American experience and the creative potential of the filmmakers.

Anthony and Joe Russo are among Hollywood’s most acclaimed and successful directors having helmed TV sensations “Community” and “Arrested Development,” as well as global blockbusters: Cherry (2021), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016) and Avengers: Infinity War (2018). Their film, Avengers: Endgame (2019) became the highest-grossing film in the history of filmmaking.  Their company AGBO has been responsible for record breaking films such as Extraction with Chris Hemsworth and will be releasing the highly-anticipated The Gray Man starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans this summer.

Deadline to submit grant applications is March 1, 2022, 11:59 p.m. PT. For full timeline of all relevant dates, instructions, and the application, please visit www.niaf.org/filmforum.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL ITALIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to preserving, promoting and protecting the Italian American heritage and culture. Based in Washington, D.C., it is the major advocate for nearly 25 million Italian Americans, the nation’s fifth largest ethnic group. To learn more about the Foundation and to become a member, visit www.niaf.org.

ABOUT THE ITALIAN SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA
For 88 years, the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) has kept a strong sense of community alive and thriving to become one of the largest and most financially successful Italian American organizations in the country. The ISDA unites Italian Americans across states nationwide to celebrate our culture and preserve the traditions our ancestors brought with them from Italy. To learn more about the ISDA and become a member, visit www.orderisda.org.

ABOUT AGBO
Founded by award-winning, record-breaking directors Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO is an artist-led entertainment company focused on creating content borne of innovative story universes across film, television, and digital platforms. Headquartered in downtown Los Angeles, AGBO was founded in 2017. For more info, visit, www.agbo.com.

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Timeline

(DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Application opens: January 17, 2022
Application deadline: March 1, 2022, 11:59 p.m. PT
All applicants notified: April 1, 2022
Deadline for completed film submission: September 1, 2022, 11:59 p.m. PT
All applicants who submitted films notified. Three finalists chosen and invited to NIAF Gala Weekend in Washington, D.C. September 30, 2022
In-Person Screening of films during the NIAF Gala Weekend: October 29, 2022
Announcement of winning film at the NIAF Gala Dinner: October 29, 2022


For questions, visit our FAQs page. Still need help? Contact Gabriella Mileti at gmileti@niaf.org

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2019 Winning
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2017 Winning
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