The Athena Film Festival (AFF) and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation have partnered to support the development and dissemination of inspiring films about women in STEM. The program will support talented female filmmakers and screenwriters to develop a rich pipeline of gifted women filmmakers who can bring their voices and visions to the film industry. Together, AFF and the Sloan Foundation hope to disrupt the status quo, and inspire new generations with the often untold stories of female leaders in STEM fields.
The partnership helps to fund a number of programs at the Athena Film Festival, specifically their Parity Pipeline Program, to provide support for women filmmakers at all stages of development by offering workshops and masterclasses for younger, less experienced women as well as those who are more accomplished.
The partnership supports: two Alfred P. Sloan Fellowships that will enable women screenwriters with STEM-related scripts to attend the Athena Screenwriting Labs; the Alfred P. Sloan Athena List Award that provides a $20,000 development grant to an Athena List Finalist or Winner with a STEM-themed script; a STEM Showcase at the Festival; the screening of a science-themed documentary featuring female scientists or technologists at the Festival; and a panel discussion at the Festival.