Building Bridges Documentary Fund

The Building Bridges Documentary Fund is a grant initiative facilitated by the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) and funded through the Building Bridges Program of the Doris Duke Foundation. This fund seeks to amplify underrepresented voices by supporting independent documentary filmmakers exploring the Muslim experience in the United States. It aims to enrich public understanding and contribute to a broader and more nuanced spectrum of narratives related to Muslim communities. The initiative reflects CAAM’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and representation in media, aligning with its long-standing role in advancing multicultural storytelling. Eligible applicants include filmmakers at various stages of their careers, including emerging, mid-career, and established professionals. The fund accepts a variety of project formats, including feature-length documentaries (60 minutes or more), short films, and episodic series. Notably, it offers financial support across three distinct production phases: research and development, production, and post-production. Funding ranges from $10,000 to $25,000 for research and development, and from $50,000 to $100,000 for both production and post-production phases. This tiered structure ensures that projects at varying stages can receive tailored financial support appropriate to their needs. The application cycle for the Building Bridges Documentary Fund is currently closed and will reopen in Spring 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to subscribe to the CAAM Connect newsletter for updates. When open, the application process does not involve a pre-application such as a letter of intent, and applicants can reach out to the fund administrators via email at [email protected] for inquiries not covered in the FAQs. The selection criteria are not detailed in the current source, but given CAAM’s mission, it is reasonable to infer that cultural relevance, storytelling strength, and alignment with the fund’s thematic focus are key considerations. The Fund is part of a larger collaborative initiative alongside partner organizations such as the Islamic Scholarship Fund (ISF), the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) Hollywood Bureau, and the Sundance Institute. These collaborations enhance the reach and impact of the program while fostering a supportive ecosystem for Muslim filmmakers. CAAM's inclusion in this program represents a multi-year commitment to cultural bridge-building through media, reinforcing the fund's strategic importance in shaping inclusive narratives in public media. Though the fund’s website does not currently list prior recipients, CAAM's long track record of supporting multicultural media projects suggests a strong precedent of impactful funding. No PDF or downloadable application materials were found linked on the site. The fund emphasizes accessibility and encourages applicants to reach out with any questions, including those related to accessibility accommodations. Overall, the Building Bridges Documentary Fund represents a strategic investment in diverse media storytelling, focused on elevating the Muslim experience in the U.S. through robust documentary filmmaking. The next anticipated application window will be in Spring 2026, and internal re-evaluation or updates to the program should occur around March 1, 2026.