The Big Tell is a regional filmmaking program offering grants for the production of 5-minute short documentaries that feature stories from California’s great Central Valley.
This year, Community Media Access Collaborative will award 26 grants of $8,000 each for the creation of short films about the amazing people, places, and activities that make the Central Valley so remarkable.
Winners will have three months to complete their short film and will receive one-on-one mentorship from Emmy-nominated documentarian Sascha Brown Rice.
The Big Tell 2023 is presented by the James B. McClatchy Foundation, the Central Valley Community Foundation, and the KDA Creative Corps.
What is The Big Tell?
The Big Tell is a regional filmmaking contest offering grants to filmmakers to produce 5-minute short documentaries that feature stories of California’s six-county Central Valley. Now in its seventh year, The Big Tell is coordinated by the Community Media Access Collaborative (CMAC), an organization committed to empowering voices in our community to share their stories using media.
This year we will be awarding 26 filmmakers grants of $8,000 each. Filmmakers have three months to create their films which then premiere together at The Big Tell Showcase. Each filmmaker will prerecord an interview to introduce their film at the Showcase.
Filmmakers receive one-on-one mentorship from Emmy-nominated documentarian, Sascha Brown Rice. The Big Tell 2023 is presented by the James B. McClatchy Foundation and the Central Valley Community Foundation and made possible thanks to grant funding from Kern Dance Alliance Creative Corps.
Who can apply?
Individuals who live in Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Madera, Merced, or Mariposa counties are eligible to apply. Women, people of color, and people who identify as members of minority or underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Although films are often collaborative, we will only recognize one individual as the filmmaker of record. The person who fills out the application should be the lead filmmaker on the project. Only this person will receive programming information and will be listed on all promotional materials. You may recognize all members of your team on the film credits.
For the 2-minute interview for the showcase, the filmmaker may bring a guest – a member of the film team, the subject of your film, etc. to introduce your film.
Can past applicants and winners apply?
Yes. All past applicants and winners can apply if they meet this year’s eligibility requirements. Please note that requirements may have changed from pervious years.
What is the timeline? What are the important dates?
13 winners will be chosen for our Fall Cohort and 13 winners for our Winter Cohort (26 winners total). Winners must be available to fulfill all the grant requirements in the timeline below.
April 25 Applications Open
May 16 Application Q&A on Zoom (optional)
June 27 Applications due at midnight
July 26 Winners notified
Fall Cohort
Aug 2 Meet & Greet w/ Sascha Rice @ CMAC
Aug – Nov Four check-ins with Sascha Rice (virtual)
Nov 13 Final Cuts due by midnight
Early Nov TBD Filmmaker Interviews
Late Nov TBD The Big Tell Showcase
Winter Cohort
Nov 29 Meet & Greet w/ Sascha Rice @ CMAC
Nov – Mar Four check-ins with Sascha Rice (virtual)
March 11 Final Cuts due by midnight
Mid-March TBD Filmmaker Interviews
Mid-April TBD The Big Tell Showcase
Filmmakers and their teams/partners will participate in one-on-one mentoring sessions with Emmy-nominated documentarian Sascha Rice. Those dates will be determined between the filmmaker and Ms. Rice. These sessions are required for all filmmakers.
Final films must be submitted by the deadline as an MP4 file, must be 1920×1080 resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio, and meet television broadcast requirements for production quality and decency standards. Failure to meet submission requirements, meeting attendance, or deadlines will result in forfeiture or return of grant funds and your film will not air at the Showcase.
How will my application be judged?
Applications are reviewed by a panel of judges who evaluate film concepts on four criteria:
We receive over 100 applications each year and can only accept a set number of films. Every year, we turn away incredible film concepts that score high on those four criteria because we can only fund a set number films. This is a highly competitive program.
The most common reasons applications are not selected are:
“This film will detail the impacts of COVID on our community” vs “This film tells the story of local restauranteur Lynnette Johnson as she fights to keep her business open during a global pandemic. She finds the answer in an unlikely place – her grandmother’s attic.”
Is there a fee to apply? Can I apply more than once?
There is no fee to apply. Applications are due by midnight on June 27, 2023. You may submit as many applications as you like. Each film concept must have its own complete application.
Can I use a film that I already completed?
No.
This grant is for the production of new, non-fiction material. We will not accept completed films or work that has been publicly viewed. You may use footage that you already have on hand, but the film itself must have been completed for The Big Tell this year.
What kind of films are you looking for?
Films must be authentic, original, non-fiction, short documentaries, not less than four minutes and not more than five minutes in length, including opening and credits. The stylistic or artistic approach and techniques are at the discretion of the filmmaker.
Applicants are strongly advised to look at films from previous years.If your idea is similar to a film from a previous year, it is unlikely to be selected. Films from previous years can be found on this web page.
What constitutes the "Central Valley"?
For the purposes of this program, applicants must be a resident of Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Madera, Merced, or Mariposa counties. Further, your story must be about a person, place, event, or activity in at least one of those counties.
What is required of the grant winners?
The grant winners are required to:
How will the winning films be presented to the public?
The films will premiere at The Big Tell Showcase – which will consist of a theatrical presentation and a broadcast television presentation. There will be a showcase for the Fall Cohort in November 2023 (dates TBA) and for the Winter Cohort in April 2024 (dates TBA).
Keep in mind, films cannot be publicly screened prior to these events. After the events, you are welcome to share your film as you like.
I’m a filmmaker and I am looking for stories to tell. Can you help?
We can not consult with you on story development. However, we encourage you to consider stories in the following topic areas:
• Social justice and community engagement
• Civic engagement, including election participation
• Water and energy conservation, climate mitigation
• Emergency preparedness, relief, and recovery
• Public health
I’m not a filmmaker, but I have a story to tell. Can I apply?
This program is only open to filmmakers and each application must be submitted by the lead filmmaker on the project. However, amateur and student filmmakers are encouraged to apply.
Do I need to have my own filmmaking equipment?
No. CMAC offers access to training and tools including production studio, private editing suites, meeting rooms, classroom space, and a computer lab, along with a variety of portable production gear.
All winners will receive a one-year membership to CMAC. Use of CMAC equipment is not required for participation in The Big Tell but is encouraged for filmmakers who can benefit from it.
What about rights, ownership, and permissions for my film?
The film becomes shared property between the filmmaker and CMAC and cannot have prior ownership. Additionally, your project cannot be publicly available or viewed publicly or commercially before The Big Tell Showcase in November 2023 or April 2024. Our broadcast partner will also have rights to broadcast your film for The Big Tell Showcase, a 90-minute television special.
CMAC reserves the right to unlimited and non-exclusive broadcast or sharing of your film for purposes that include but are not limited to marketing, promotions, fundraising, or coalition-building. Filmmakers will sign a contract with CMAC that further outlines the terms of the agreement.
Filmmakers assume liability for the short documentary’s content and are expected to take all steps necessary to secure proper permissions for copyright, as well as location and talent releases and permits.
When do I get the grant money and what can I use it for?
You will sign a contract with CMAC and then submit an invoice for $8,000 for payment processing. Funds will be made available within one month of contract signing. There is no restriction on the use of the funds, but be advised that no additional funds will be administered for any reason.
Anything else I need to know?
Failure to submit a completed film by this date will result in forfeiture of grant funds and the applicant will be expected to return the full grant to CMAC. No exceptions.
Failure to participate in mentorship activities, or public events can result in similar sanctions, at the discretion of CMAC.
Failure to adhere to the film’s time limit (not less than four minutes and not more than five minutes), will result in forfeiture of grant funds and your film will not be screened at the Showcase. This means a hard stop at 5 minutes, including title card and credits.
We require that all films recognize CMAC and other sponsors in the credits, and recognize Sascha Rice as “Consulting Producer” on official credits (e.g. IMDB). Guidelines for credit recognition will be provided to filmmakers.
Mi Elotero (My Corn Man)
by Carolina De La Torre
Community support is imperative as Latino street vendors face a rise in violence against them.
Kaweah Kweens
by Zach Green
From the foothills to Capitol Hill—middle school girls help pass national legislation combating climate change.
Not Just any Restaurant
by Matt Mealer
A mother and daughter draw on 130 years of Central Valley heritage as they breathe new life into an iconic Basque restaurant in Los Banos.
Stan Bitters: Ceramics Wizard
by Ed Goto
A documentary focusing on the impact this local internationally-known ceramics artist had on the 1960’s Organic Modernist Craft Movement
Hope in a Basket
by Chad Saechao
Asian strawberry farmers in Visalia share the roots of their business and what it takes to own one of the busiest strawberry stands in town.
Mammoths in Madera?!
by Eddie Garcia
A paleontologist uncovers Madera’s Ice Age history after an intact mammoth tusk led to the discovery of a trove of fossils in a Madera landfill.
Good Fire
by Erica Tom
For thousands of years the North Fork Mono Tribe has used fire to restore Central Valley land. A look at this practice amidst a time of drought, megafires, and climate change.
Little Big Gym
by Rigoberto Moran
A small gym in Farmersville is a free outlet for kids to play and learn—and a source of inspiration for the community.
Beyond the Basket
by Jennifer Robin
A look at the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation’s traditional basket making and medicine gathering. Elder basket weavers share why cultivating medicine is important to the tribe.
The Arts, The Gift That Keeps on Giving
by Jeremy Miller
Local legend Deborah McCoy shares what fuels her passion for dance, the role it has served in her life and how she uses her talent to serve others.
Famously Unknown
by RaShan McClarty
Ceasar “C-Flo” Johnson is a rapper, recording artist, entrepreneur, coach, and mentor. His influential words have touched the lives of countless people and he continues to motivate during these difficult times.
On the Edge
by Shira D. Gordon
Clipped to the rock hundreds of feet in the air, female climbers embark on a journey that is about so much more than the long and difficult climb.
Lemoore, CA – Home of the Perfect Wave
by Michael Price
A dream to create the perfect wave forever changes a small Central Valley town into a premier surfing destination.
Pintor Diego
by Rigoberto Moran
An artist born and raised in the Central Valley becomes an art professor. Inspired by his grandfather early in life, he encourages his students to accomplish their dreams and follow their passion.
Our Daily Bread – The Last Panadero
by Adán Ávalos
A poetic documentary about family unity, love for community and the last neighborhood delivery breadman.
#BlackGirlMagic
by Jamillah Finley
Breakbox Thought Collective documents its transformative program, the Fresno Black Girl Magic Project, uniting young Black girls from unique backgrounds as they transition into adulthood.
The Steam
by Matthew Mealer
In the shadow of Yosemite National Park, the oldest and youngest crew members of a historic steam railroad ponder the future of their trade in a post-pandemic world.
Liminal
by Chihiro Wimbush
A former lifer now brings two recent parolees who did time together, out of the uncertainty of their urban environments and into the refuge of nature.
BEEware
by Jenny Toste
Heath, the little beekeeper, doesn’t do it for the honey; he does it for the bees. If we’re not careful, they could disappear, taking 80% of our food and our Valley’s $22 billion ag production along with them.
Love in Anxiety
by Jason Duong & Julease Graham
Julease Graham speaks with activists, artists, academics, and faith leaders on the anxiety of living, surviving, and thriving amid racism and violence while the future for the Black community seems so uncertain.
Capital G
by Regina Simmons
Fresno’s Green Team and Youth Ambassadors are on a mission to promote sustainable practices including innovative water recycling processes and air quality monitoring.
El espíritu de las danzas (The Spirit of Dances)
by Adán Ávalos
A lyrical documentary of the celebratory power of dance and music to keep history, tradition, and community alive for Central Valley Oaxacan families.
Family Rx
by Christopher Velazquez
Pharmacist Rafael Velazquez has owned and operated Merced Drug for over 20 years, living the American dream while helping countless families in the community.
Mariposa is Music
by Karen Dusek
Mariposa is a small town with a big soul, and nothing reflects that more than the music of the Mariposa Symphony Orchestra, founded in 2002 by Les Marsden.
100 Years of Suffrage
by Orlando J. Gomez
2020 marks the 100th anniversary of national women’s suffrage. Learn about the women behind the movement in Fresno, and how local women today are honoring the sacrifices of the past.
NSD
by Chad Saechao
A hip-hop record label is an unexpected outlet for artistic expression and community connections in Visalia.
Peacock: Exeter, The Anti-Filipino Riot
by Glenn Philip Martinez Aquino
Exploring the anti-Filipino riot that occurred on October 24, 1929, in Exeter, and the attitudes that are echoed today, 90 years later.
Professional AND Skater
by Carlos Burgos
Dedicated high school teacher by day and talented skateboarder by night, Ronald Taglireni combines his values and passions to make his community a better place.
Remembering Trevor
by Joshua A. Krause
In the wake of tragedy, a grieving Clovis mother takes steps to promote suicide awareness and prevention.
Story Queens
by Haley White
Drag Story Time in Fresno is part of a national movement to promote love, acceptance, fun, and reading for children and adults alike.
Avenal, Oasis in the Sun
by Antony V. López
Avenal may be a small community, but it has a rich history from oil boomtown to pistachio capital. This film explores the past through the stories of 89-year-old resident Betty Weaver.
Valley of Murals
by Carissa Garcia & Sam Contreras
A look at the Central Valley’s thriving community of young muralists interwoven with stories from muralists who led the Chicana/o muralism movement of the 60s and 70s.
Ichi Ni San She (How to Throw Like a Girl)
by Hans Steele
A team of women Judoka (judo players) inherit a generational Judo dojo and their efforts to grow their club and share the wisdom of past Senseis with a new generation of Judoka.
One Step at a Time
by Jes Therkelsen
The story of three men who hit rock bottom and their ensuing struggle to regain control of their lives. FIlmed in the style of observational cinema, or cinéma vérité, the film shows each man in his personal journey of recovery and rehabilitation.
Just Stuff
by Karen Dusek
In July 2017 the Detweiler Fire destroyed 80,000 acres in Mariposa including the home of 70-year-old artist Dennis Bright. This is the story of his efforts to rebuild and the community that stepped in to help.
Needle and Thread
by Orlando J. Gomez
The story of Dr. Fitzalbert M. Marius, a 96-year-old African American WWII Veteran, who got his start as a tailor and went on to perform the very first open heart surgery in Fresno in 1958.
SEVA
by Rippin Sindher
Centered around the Sikh-American community, this film delves into the importance of selfless service known as seva, and the National Day of Seva, which emerged after the massacre at a Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin in August 2012.
Raisins Made with Love
by Sarah Linder Gonzales
Every August in Madera, over 10,000 volunteers gather to pick grapes from an 80-acre vineyard that is solely devoted to producing raisins used for humanitarian aid.
Transformation in the Central Valley
by Floyd Sanchez
This film shows how cutting-edge technology is used throughout the region as the Central Valley leads the nation in green building and transportation innovations.
Preying on Innocents
by Zachary Green
The compelling story behind Operation Baby Face in Tulare County, a collaborative undercover effort in the ongoing battle to catch child sex predators and human traffickers.
On The Banks of El Canal
by Martha Yesenia Juarez
A young Chicana uncovers the history of the land she grew up on. She discovers the beauty of this land and the richness of life of the migrant families that work the land.
Road to Hope
by Hashim Hassan
The struggle and resilience of one Syrian family in Fresno who are among 10,000 Syrian refugees accepted in the United States since the war began.
Joaquin Murrieta: Tradition and Culture
by Armando Valdez
Arte Americas will capture the history and tradition behind the annual horse ride in late July of the Association de Charros to commemorate the mythical legend of Joaquin Murrieta, a controversial symbol in California’s early history.
The Promise
by Jose Munoz
A love story of Mr. and Mrs. Medina and the promise they made to give back to their community, thus leading to the creation of the Kings Cultural Center in Armona.
Forgotten Veterans of the Vietnam War
by Paula Yang
Three Hmong veterans serve the United States during the Vietnam War in Laos. This film showcases their life stories, their experiences during the war, and transition to American civilian life after their service.
The Blessing and the Curse
by David Kennedy
The surprising and inspiring story of local folk, Americana and rockabilly musician Lance Canales, who rose from humble Central Valley farmworker beginnings to prominence in the international music scene.
Literacy Empowers
by Karen Dusek
Literacy empowers, as two volunteer tutors and learners in the Mariposa Library’s adult literacy program reveal in their inspirational stories about the experiences that brought them together. Learn how their efforts translate to a more sustainable, hopeful community.
59 Days of Code
by Rebecca Miller and Troy Ruff
Technology is a tool people can use to change the world, for better or worse. Three students from Avenal, who care so much about the Valley where they grew up and the industries here, are competing in 59DaysOfCode’s annual competition.
Unbound
by Haley White
Amy Querin used dance to heal her own emotional wounds, and now she helps others do the same. From her own dance company to the work she does with the prisoners at Central California Women’s Facility through the Prison Arts Project.
A Library for London
by Johnny Soto
There may not be paved roads in the small town of London, CA, but that won’t stop one man from bringing to his hometown something he didn’t have growing up; a library. Follow his journey as he fights to bring accessible books and media to London, sparking interest and inspiring education and imagination in the hearts and minds of its youth.
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