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| PRESS KIT: Independent Initiative |
In 1999, KQED launched the Independent Initiative-demonstrating its commitment to helping bring independent work to public television and collaborating with the local independent film and video community. The initiative is a response to the public's thirst for new film; to the needs of local independent film producers of independent films; and to KQED's determination to provide exciting, compelling programming. Over the past year, KQED has broadcast over 20 independent films per month, totaling over 250 hours of work.
To help guide this effort, KQED created the Independent Advisory Panel, made up of local filmmakers and media-arts organizations. The panel has had a tremendous impact on KQED's support of independent film, and it continues to work with KQED to foster further collaboration.
Some of the results of the initiative include ImageMakers, a new 20-part series of 60 minute programs made upf of shorts and documentaries by tomorrow's filmmakers today; Intensity TV, a series of acquired independent narratives and shorts, produced by KQED; Independent View, a weekly series on the independent film scene, produced by KQED; KQED sponsorship of more than 10 local film festivals; and a huge increase in KQED's already robust acquisition of work by independents. The Independent Initiative also is integral to stocking KQED's program schedule during celebrations of Black History; Women's History; Asian Pacific American Heritage; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride; Latino Heritage; and American Indian Heritage months.
KQED's Independent Initiative has financially supports new filmmakers, establishing several awards and grants. Recent recipients include Andy Abrahams Wilson for Alfredo's Fire (Innovative Spirit Award); Nancy Kates for American Socrates (Working Assets Filmmaking for Change Award); Anita Chang for She Wants to Talk to You (Peter J. Owens Emerging Filmmaker Award); Patricia Flynn for Discovering Dominga (Peter J. Owens Independent Vision Award); and Maurice Jacobsen for Jersusalam: A Living History (Peter J. Owens Digital Media Award).
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