The Lynn Shelton ‘Of a Certain Age’ Grant Is Looking for Its Next Recipient

Kate Erbland
·3-min read

More than four years since her passing in 2020, and filmmaker Lynn Shelton continues to leave a characteristically positive mark on the indie filmmaking community. Now in its fifth year, the Lynn Shelton “Of a Certain Age” grant is now seeking applicants for its latest iteration.

The grant awards $25,000 to a U.S.-based woman, non-binary, or transgender filmmaker, age 39 or older, who has yet to direct a narrative feature. Similar to the previous iterations, the grant will be a national open call, and seeks to recognize a film director for their distinct vision, storytelling, and singularity. Previous recipients include Erica Tremblay, who has said the grant was integral to the development of her debut feature, the lauded “Fancy Dance,” and most recent winner, Mirta Desir, who is in active development on her own first feature now.

More from IndieWire

“The Lynn Shelton ‘Of a Certain Age’ Grant is an amazing source of support for women filmmakers whose moment has come due to our life experience, hard work and persistence. With this grant, I’ll be able to bring ‘Angie,’ a story that has lived with me for some time, into reality,” Desir said in an official statement.

The grant was created in 2020 to honor the legacy of beloved filmmaker Lynn Shelton. Spearheaded by Duplass Brothers Productions and stewarded by Seattle’s Northwest Film Forum (NWFF), the grant receives annual support from a number of donors, many with personal ties to Shelton, among them COLOR Creative, Eliza Flug, Lacey Leavitt Gray, and Marc Maron.

“Lynn Shelton left an indelible mark on our local film community, and we are honored to be hosting the ‘Of a Certain Age’ grant in her memory,” said Derek Edamura, executive director of Northwest Film Forum, in his own statement. “We are so excited to continue providing access for female, non-binary, and transgender filmmakers with this grant, and moving toward a vision of a truly thriving and diverse film industry.”

“I’m incredibly proud to have been part of the formation of this grant, which serves a portion of the film community that is often overlooked and under-valued,” added Megan Griffiths, NWFF board member. “I can only imagine Lynn’s joy at seeing the careers of these filmmakers grow and flourish with the grant’s support.”

The Lynn Shelton “Of a Certain Age” Grant was spearheaded by Duplass Brothers Productions, which includes Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass, and Mel Eslyn.

For those looking to give in her honor, donations to the Lynn Shelton “Of a Certain Age” Grant can be made directly to Northwest Film Forum. For full guidelines, application form, and more information about the grant, please visit this website. Notes on eligibility, criteria, and important dates for all interested applicants are as follows:

ELIGIBILITY & CRITERIA

To be eligible for this grant, applicants must:

  • Identify as either a woman, non-binary, intersex, or transgender

  • Be applying as an individual (not a team)

  • Be 39 years or older by application deadline (proof of identification will be required upon grant award)

  • Have “director” credit on at least one short film or feature documentary

  • Be able to receive income in the U.S.

NOTABLE DATES

  • Monday, August 19 – Application opens – APPLY

  • Friday, September 13 – Info Session from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. PST

  • Friday, September  27 – Application closes at 11:59 p.m. PST

  • Monday, November 1 – Finalists’ Notified

  • Wednesday, November 22 – Finalists’ Extended Materials Due

  • Monday, December 16 – Recipient Announced!

Best of IndieWire

Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Latest stories