The Rogovy Foundation has selected four documentary films as winners of the Miller / Packan Documentary Film Fund Winter 2017 award.  The Fund awards grants totaling $150,000 to between six and ten film projects annually through its Summer and Winter open calls.

The Fund’s four selections represent a cross section of interests that the Foundation supports. The award winners for this Winter period are:

The Quiet Zone — In the radio-silent town of Green Bank, West Virginia — the only town in America with no cell phones or WiFi — astronomers search for life beyond our planet as local residents struggle to live, love, grow up, relocate and evolve on earth. Director: Katie Dellamaggiore.

The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin — Interviews and stories follow the renowned author’s journey from intolerant conservative to beloved writer known for his outrageous wit and open heart. Director: Jennifer Kroot.

The Guardians — An investigative documentary that examines the complicated history of court-appointed guardians in Nevada. Director: Billie Mintz.

In the Closed Room — Each year several American suspects confess to a crime they did not commit. Experts say that trained interrogators can get anybody to confess to anything. Defense lawyer Jane is determined to make this insanity stop. Director: Katrine Philp.

During the Winter open call, nearly 200 documentary film projects were submitted to the Miller / Packan Film Fund. “We’re moved by the quantity, quality and scope of the projects submitted,” says Hugh Rogovy, Foundation Founder. “There’s an army of non-fiction filmmakers out there,” added Asher Rogovy, Foundation Vice-President, “working tirelessly to make a difference.”

Applications are now being accepted for the Summer 2017 open call, which ends May 15th.