Los Angeles, California— The Haydenfilms Institute, with offices here and in Reading, Pa., announced that it has been selected to compete for a $250,000 grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project, an ongoing national program giving away millions to fund great ideas.
The non-profit Institute is competing in the project’s current cycle with 1,346 other ideas. People can vote for the Haydenfilms Institute idea by logging on to http://www.refresheverything.com/haydenfilms. Voting for the current cycle ends on May 31, 2010 and voters may VOTE ONCE A DAY THROUGH MAY 31.
Hayden Craddolph, founder and president of the Haydenfilms Institute, said winning the grant would be very significant. “We have supported both student and emerging international filmmakers for the last five years through our annual Haydenfilms Online Film Festival as well as our educational programming. Now, we are asking for everyone’s support! Please vote on our Pepsi Refresh Project,” said Craddolph.
The Haydenfilms Institute would use $100,000 of the grant to establish a special fund to help finance independent film projects in their early stages. The remainder would be used to expand the Haydenfilms Online Film Festival, conduct workshops on the West and East coasts, and underwrite internships.
“In particular,” Craddolph noted, “we want to grow our collaboration with Kutztown University located in Kutztown, Pa., to provide summer film camps for teachers; hold workshops in order to give students and filmmakers practical access to the film industry; and to collaborate on helping Kutztown University expand its film and video majors.”
Founded in 2001 by Craddolph, Haydenfilms began as an independent film production and distribution company with the mission of fostering an online network of independent and student filmmakers and giving them the support and resources necessary for success. In 2005, Craddolph introduced his film festival, one of the first online film festivals and the only one offering a $10,000 grand prize.
Earlier this year, Craddolph was granted approval to establish the non-profit Haydenfilms Institute with offices on the West and East coasts. It is expected that tax deductible contributions and grants will enable Haydenfilms Institute to greatly expand its educational, networking and other programs for independent filmmakers and short films.
“Realizing the power that films have, especially short films, a major focus for us is helping filmmakers not only to realize their own dreams through films, but also to use film to improve our quality of life and to spark interest in pressing social issues. We welcome tax deductible donation to the Institute because they are vital to helping us continue and expand these programs.”
Again, to vote for the Haydenfilms Institute project, check out http://www.refresheverything.com/haydenfilms.
For more details on the Haydenfilms Institute, visit http://www.haydenfilmsinstitute.org. Or visit http://www.haydenfilms.com, email ashirk@haydenfilms.com or follow us on Twitter @Haydenfilms.