Hey Chicago Filmmakers -
we want to give you money.
Congratulations Jonah Ocuto & Amaya Benbow!
The long awaited update on the Full STEM Ahead film grant is here! Filmmakers Jonah Ocuto and Amaya Benbow have been chosen to create a short documentary on Blue Tin Production, an apparel manufacturing worker co-operative run by immigrant, refugee, and working-class women of color in Chicago.
Full STEM Ahead Filmmaker’s Initiative
(presented by Lightswitch)
The Full STEM Ahead Filmmaker’s Initiative is a first-year initiative launched by Lightswitch that is designed to not only encourage STEM education and careers in STEM but to also cultivate the careers of the filmmakers of tomorrow in the process. The arts and STEM are often closely linked and we want to give Chicago creators the opportunity to use their passion for the arts to showcase STEM programs that may otherwise go unappreciated.
For additional grants that aren’t affiliated with Lightswitch Video, visit our Grants & Scholarships page.
About the grant:
Our grant recipient will receive a $5,000.00 grant to produce a short-form documentary about a STEM program that they are involved in, knowledgeable of, or want to learn more about and they believe deserves more recognition. That program will then receive a matching $5,000.00 grant, and the final documentary will receive a showing at a local theater including a Q&A with the documentarian.
Our grant recipient will receive free consultations with Lightswitch producers on best production practices and post-production support from our world-class editing team.
What topics are eligible?
STEM encompasses a lot of different clubs, programs, businesses, and activities! It does not exclusively apply to science and math programs — the “T” in STEM stands for technology, which is representative of a variety of other examples. These technology programs can include animation clubs, TV programs, radio stations, etc. After all, technology is integral to their success! If you’re questioning whether the program or topic you want to choose qualifies or not, contact us, and we can help.
Submission Details and Requirements:
Filmmakers ages 15-25 interested in participating must do the following in order to be considered eligible:
Submit a pitch and answer a few questions about what video you’d like to make — and that’s it!
Further information may be requested from applicants if needed to narrow down a recipient
Included for Grant Recipient:
$5,000.00 cash grant to be used for the creation of the film
$5,000.00 donation to STEM organization they’re highlighting in the film
Free consultation(s) with Lightswitch production team on best practices
Post-Production assistance provided by Lightswitch
A screening of the finished film at a local theater in downtown Chicago (specific location pending COVID safety and space availability)
How is the winner selected?
A panel of judges will evaluate submissions (Who are the judges? Read their bios.)
Deadline: 11:59 p.m. CST on January 31, 2022
Meet Our Judges
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Michelle Kennedy
Executive Director, Chicago South Side Film Festival
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Andrew Nuño
Video Producer, Lightswitch Video
Co-Founder/Producer, Diginamic Productions
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![Woman with blonde/brown hair in a blue button down smiles in front of a cement wall]()
Angie Gaffney
Executive Director, IFA Chicago
Film Producer, Black Apple Media
Certified Life Coach, International Coach Federation
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Kevin Koperski
Co-Founder, Amulet Studios
Founder, Streetlamp Media
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Ann Hagner
VP, Creative Director, Walker Sands
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Alex O'Donnell
Senior Video Producer &
Project Manager, Lightswitch Video
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Janelle Dahl
Senior Marketing Communications Specialist,
ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions
Why did we create this grant?
We created this grant for a few reasons. As a company based in Chicago, we want to support the young film community within, well, our community. At the same time, we want to bring attention to an under-recognized STEM related program that serves Chicago’s youth, all while highlighting the connection between STEM and the arts — they aren’t as disconnected as they may appear.
Ultimately, we want to educate on the power of video and documentary to bring positive change.
Our inaugural grant program highlights just one filmmaker, one film, and one STEM program to be showcased at a local theater. In future years we hope to provide further film grants to focus on expanded subjects (ex. Arts, LGBTQ issues, diverse cultural experiences, other career focuses) and film types (narrative, avant garde, foreign language, animated), all produced by the most talented young filmmakers across Chicagoland.
We are starting small to get our feet under us, but have ambitions of supporting and growing the film community in Chicago for years to come. Follow us on social media (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn), sign up for Lightswitch’s newsletter, and check back to this site for future grant opportunities.
About Lightswitch Video
Lightswitch Video is a nationwide video production partner that offers video, photo, html5 and other digital media fulfillment solutions for agencies, publishers, online media companies, digital marketers and more. Based in Chicago, IL, Lightswitch pairs their network of over 5,000 video professionals across the U.S. with in-house production experts to deliver high quality, on message video production in all 50 states. Visit our website for more information.
