Building Bridges Documentary Fund

The Building Bridges Documentary Fund is an initiative supported by the Building Bridges Program of the Doris Duke Foundation and administered by the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM). This fund aims to empower filmmakers to develop documentaries that authentically portray the Muslim experience in the United States. As part of CAAM’s broader mission—spanning over four decades—of amplifying diverse Asian American voices, this program seeks to enrich public understanding through storytelling that reflects the multifaceted narratives of Muslim communities in the U.S. Eligible applicants for the fund include independent filmmakers at any career stage, whether emerging, mid-career, or established. The fund is open to a wide range of documentary formats including feature-length films (60 minutes or more), shorts (40 minutes or less), and episodic series. This inclusive structure ensures a diverse range of stories and artistic approaches are considered. Applicants may apply for support during one of three phases of production: Research & Development (grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000), Production (grants between $50,000 and $100,000), and Post-production (also between $50,000 and $100,000). These phase-based allocations enable flexibility and responsiveness to a project's stage and scope. The submission process is designed to be accessible and supportive. Applications for the current open call are accepted from March 16, 2026, through April 26, 2026, closing at 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time. Applicants may reach out to [email protected] for assistance with the application process, including accessibility support or clarification not covered in the provided FAQs. While detailed submission components or evaluation criteria are not provided in the source, the open and recurring nature of the call suggests a commitment to sustained support and community engagement. The Building Bridges Documentary Fund emphasizes the importance of cultural representation, supporting creative works that combat stereotypes and offer a nuanced understanding of Muslim life in the United States. The initiative is also part of a wider cohort within the Doris Duke Foundation’s Building Bridges Program, which includes partner organizations like the Islamic Scholarship Fund, the Muslim Public Affairs Council Hollywood Bureau, and the Sundance Institute, further grounding the fund within a robust network of advocacy and media impact. While detailed evaluation criteria and specific performance timelines post-award are not provided in the source, the recurring structure of the fund—reflected in references to the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 cohorts—indicates a multi-year commitment to funding documentary storytelling. The fund’s transparency around its cycles and amounts, along with its partnership with well-known cultural institutions, establishes it as a credible and robust funding opportunity for U.S.-based documentarians focused on underrepresented narratives. The fund’s emphasis on inclusion, cultural engagement, and storytelling that challenges dominant narratives reinforces CAAM and the Doris Duke Foundation’s broader goal: to use media as a bridge for understanding and dialogue across diverse communities. This fund not only provides monetary support but also aims to nurture long-term impacts through representation and visibility in public media.