What impact does the cancellation of NEH grants have on documentary filmmakers? How might this decision affect public access to diverse cultural narratives? What could be the long-term implications for the field of humanities? How are filmmakers attempting to adapt to the loss of this funding? What legal actions might be considered in response to these cancellations?
One by one the emails hit inboxes, on letterhead of the National Endowment for the Humanities: that grant we gave you to make your documentary? It’s cancelled.
Last week, the Trump administration summarily terminated funding for 85 percent of NEH grants, including awards for numerous documentary projects.
“Your grant no longer effectuates the agency’s needs and priorities… [T]he NEH is repurposing its funding allocations in a new direction in furtherance of the President’s agenda,” the letter said. “The termination of your grant represents an urgent priority of the administration…” It was signed by Michael McDonald, acting chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, who replaced a Biden administration appointee forced out after Trump took office.
Tracie Holder, who had received a $485,000 production grant for The People’s Will, a film about the deadly 1849 Astor Place Riot in New York, got her form letter from the NEH on April 2.
“It was such a shock when it happened because these are highly competitive grants. They are rigorously vetted,” Holder tells Deadline. “It was so unimaginable that we could lose this funding and to lose it so randomly, without any rationale, any real reasoning as to why. It’s just some vague sense that this no longer aligns with the priorities of this government. What are the priorities of the government? Denying people access to information, knowledge, to data?”
Another filmmaker, who requested anonymity for fear of potential retaliation, received the same form letter cancelling their $75,000 development grant for a film on the American West.
“The language [of the letter] is very surprising and very dramatic, and I had to read it a few times to even gather what it was implying,” the filmmaker tells Deadline. “It is written as if we did something egregiously wrong and inflammatory, and it’s just not the case. It’s not an inflammatory film project and nor are the humanities generally. They’re often historical. They’re very academic. They’re rigorously researched and vetted.”
The Trump administration also canceled funding of state humanities councils, which reportedly receive $65 million a year from the NEH. Filmmakers who received grants through Cal Humanities, for instance, received notices that their awards have been suspended because of the administration’s move.
“The unexpected and illegal termination of our funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities is devastating to the State of California,” Cal Humanities President and CEO Rick Noguchi tells Deadline in a statement. “We are now unable to support $650,000 in previous grant commitments to nonprofits, including documentary film projects. We were also planning to award close to $1 million for FY25. That means fewer opportunities for Californians to connect to ideas and one another to understand our shared heritage and diverse cultures.”
Another documentary filmmaker who requested anonymity for fear of possible reprisals had earned Cal Humanities grants for several projects. “We’ve gotten notice that says Cal Humanities will not be making further payments,” the filmmaker notes. “So now my three film projects I have are suffering from not having the funds that we absolutely need to complete and go further on these films.”
That filmmaker also got word last week that their $150,000 federal NEH grant had been terminated. “To have contracted funding pulled away is a shock, a stab,” the filmmaker says. “I feel very much like it is such a small amount of money in the scheme of things that it is an intentional targeting and immobilizing of intellectual and artistic work in our country, basically.”
The NEH did not respond to Deadline’s request for comment. The Endowment describes itself as “an independent federal agency that supports the humanities in every state and U.S. jurisdiction. Since 1965, NEH has awarded over $6 billion to support museums, historic sites, universities, teachers, libraries, documentary filmmakers, public TV and radio stations, research institutions, scholars, and local humanities programming.”
For documentary filmmakers, the NEH has been a critical institution, providing support to projects not necessarily viewed as commercial by streaming platforms and other distributors, but that contribute to the country’s cultural heritage and its understanding of itself. Among landmark documentary films and series that have received NEH funding are the Civil Rights Movement-themed docuseries Eyes on the Prize, and many projects by perhaps America’s best-known documentarian.
“For 37 years, NEH has been helping Ken Burns make films,” writes Humanities, the magazine of the National Endowment for the Humanities, citing many projects directed or co-directed by the filmmaker, including The Civil War, Jazz, Baseball, The Dust Bowl, Prohibition, and The Vietnam War. Of the latter project, Humanities writes, “Ken Burns and crew traveled a great many air-miles to tell both sides of the story, the American and the Vietnamese.”
Through his publicist, Burns declined to comment on the NEH cuts.
The NEH cuts are also affecting film festivals. “On April 2, late in the evening, we learned that our funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) was unexpectedly and illegally terminated,” Christina Marouda, founder of the Indian Film Festival Los Angeles, wrote on Facebook. “We were told that the ‘NEH is repurposing its funding allocations in a new direction in furtherance of the President’s agenda.’”
Last October, on the UN’s International Day of the Girl, the NEH crowed on Instagram that it was supporting Nancy Drew: The Case of the American Icon, “an upcoming documentary, on the OG #girlboss.” That grant of $600,000 to filmmaker Cathleen O’Connell is among those reportedly chopped.
Nonprofit organizations like the Center for Independent Documentary and the International Documentary Association (IDA) typically assist NEH grantees by offering logistical support on projects. In exchange, they take a percentage of grants.
“Eliminating NEH funding (as with IMLS [Institute of Museum and Library Services] funding and other public support) is an abuse of power that attempts to suppress both freedom of expression and access to knowledge,” Dominic Asmall Willsdon, executive director of International Documentary Association, tells Deadline. “For the sake of documentary — and all truth-seeking art and inquiry — we need to stand up to this corrupt action.”
A number of filmmakers and institutions are questioning the legality of NEH grant cancellations, pointing out that the funding was originally authorized by Congress.
“It’s shocking to me that it seems like Congress is shirking its responsibility as an equal branch of government,” says a filmmaker whose grant was terminated. “It’s totally outrageous,” says another of the filmmakers who requested anonymity. “This is an executed contract from years ago whose terms are still active; it’s the funding from Congress that is being allocated and granted to me, and the reasons given in the [termination] letter are completely ridiculous.”
“These [grants] were authorized by Congress,” echoes Tracie Holder, the director of The People’s Will project. “Congress seems to have completely reneged on its own responsibilities and has ceded all of its power to the executive branch.”
Short of action by Congress or intervention by the courts, it’s unclear what filmmakers can do to try to get grants restored. The fate of the NEH itself remains uncertain. According to a New York Times report, “the Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk’s government restructuring effort, have made several visits to the N.E.H. office… [M]anagers told staff members that DOGE had recommended reductions in staff of as much as 70 to 80 percent…”
Filmmakers who have sought NEH grants tell Deadline the application process takes immense effort. Proposals may run upward of 100 pages or more and require the input and validation of academic experts. Directors liken it to writing a dissertation. “That is exactly what it is,” says Holder, whose films include the 2013 award-winning documentary Joe Papp in Five Acts. “It’s so sad to me, the idea that these stories won’t be available going forward, and that we don’t appreciate our own history. That’s so ironic to me about the administration. They talk about patriotism, and yet here, so many of these films are about American history.”
“Think all of the money that the government has invested in these projects that now will not result in benefit the public,” Holder adds. “It’s totally just throwing money out the window in my own case.”
Some filmmakers tell Deadline the loss of the NEH grant will kill their project. Others are thinking about workarounds.
“It’s unclear at this particular moment what exactly is possible,” says one director. “I think some filmmakers will find other ways of raising the money. Most people will agree that it will probably take longer than they anticipated to finish their films, but for us, we’re going to find a way to finish it. We’ll get it done.”
The NEH grant cancellations come at a particularly difficult time for documentary filmmakers struggling to complete projects and obtain distribution for anything that falls outside the obvious genres of true crime and celebrity docs.
“I’m not sure what field is going to do. I wish I could say that we are incredibly creative and determined people. We have to be, to make documentary films already,” says a filmmaker. “This is a group of people that will find ways. At the same time, this is a lifeline that’s being cut, that’s being severed. And there’s so few that we’re so reliant on them. It’s a huge, huge hit.”
Trump Cancellation of Humanities Grants Sends Doc Filmmakers Reeling
In the arts and culture landscape of America, few events have stirred as much controversy and despair as the 2017 decision by the Trump administration to eliminate federal funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). This move, part of a broader strategy to cut government spending, specifically targeted programs that supported various educational and cultural initiatives. Among the many beneficiaries of NEH grants were documentary filmmakers, a community now caught in the crosshairs of political policy that profoundly impacts the creation and dissemination of knowledge through film.
For decades, the NEH has been a vital source of funding for projects that push the boundaries of understanding and interpretation within the human experience. With grants supporting everything from academic research to community outreach initiatives, the NEH has provided essential support to documentary filmmakers exploring complex themes ranging from social justice to historical narratives. The elimination of these funds has not only disrupted current projects but has also cast a shadow over the future of humanities filmmaking in America.
Documentary filmmakers often rely on NEH grants to cover significant production costs, allowing them to delve into subjects that may not attract commercial funding but are nonetheless crucial for societal education and awareness. Films about civil rights, historical events, and cultural heritage not only document our past but guide societal conversations and inspire future generations. The loss of NEH grants means that many filmmakers must abandon their projects or seek alternate funding sources, often leading to an increased reliance on commercial interests. This shift can result in a loss of creative freedom and integrity, as filmmakers may feel compelled to alter their narratives to align with the preferences of private donors or corporations.
For independent filmmakers like Sarah Smith, whose work investigates lesser-known aspects of American history, the cancellation of NEH support is both shocking and disheartening. Smith’s latest project, focused on the untold stories of marginalized communities during significant historical events, was partly backed by NEH funding. "Without that support, we are left scrambling," she says. "The NEH has enabled countless projects that contribute to diverse narratives and foster an inclusive understanding of our history. Its absence will inevitably lead to a narrowing of the stories that get told."
Filmmakers in the documentary sphere often face uphill battles when it comes to funding. Unlike mainstream cinema, which can attract large investors for blockbuster potential, documentaries often require a more nuanced approach. They are typically crafted over extended periods, involving in-depth research, interviews, and editing required to present a compelling narrative. The NEH played a crucial role in facilitating this process, allowing filmmakers to focus on the quality and depth of their work rather than financial constraints.
Moreover, the NEH’s commitment to public humanities projects has galvanized community engagement and outreach. Many documentary filmmakers utilize NEH grants to create educational programs that accompany their films, engaging audiences in critical discussions that extend beyond the screen. These initiatives often foster a greater understanding of the issues portrayed in the films, promoting an informed and active citizenry. The loss of funding jeopardizes these invaluable programs, stifling dialogue and reducing access to information that shapes public opinion.
The ripple effects of these cuts extend beyond individual filmmakers and projects. They also impact an ecosystem that relies on the interplay of storytelling, history, and culture. Film festivals, educational institutions, and community organizations all benefit from the humanities grants that allow for collaborative projects and shared experiences. The absence of NEH funding may impede innovation in the documentary form, dampening the energy that comes from diverse voices coming together to challenge and enrich our understanding of humanity.
While some critics of the NEH cancellation celebrate it as a necessary step towards reducing government spending, the broader implications for society are far-reaching. The humanities are essential not just for artistic expression but for cultivating empathy, understanding, and critical thinking among citizens. Documentaries serve as windows into experiences outside our own, and funding those who dedicate their talents to exploring these narratives is paramount.
Advocates for the humanities have rallied to voice their concerns, emphasizing the importance of continued investment in cultural initiatives that reflect the American experience’s complexities. They encourage filmmakers and supporters to seek alternative funding sources, such as crowdfunding platforms and private grants, while also calling on legislators to recognize the value of humanities in shaping a thoughtful, informed society.
In the wake of these funding cuts, the documentary filmmaking community is standing at a crossroads. The challenge ahead is daunting, but with resilience and creativity, there is hope that a new generation of filmmakers will continue to tell the important stories that define us. The fight for the humanities, and by extension, for independent documentary filmmaking, continues, underscoring that these narratives are invaluable to our collective understanding of who we are and where we’re headed.
The recent decision by the Trump administration to cancel humanities grants has had a significant impact on documentary filmmakers. Many in the industry rely on these grants for funding projects that often explore complex social, cultural, and historical topics.
These grants are instrumental in supporting independent filmmakers who might not have access to traditional funding sources. The cancellation has raised concerns about the future of documentary filmmaking, particularly projects that address crucial issues within society.
The loss of funding could lead to fewer documentaries being produced, which ultimately affects public discourse. Filmmakers often serve as important storytellers and culture bearers, using their work to foster understanding and dialogue. Without the financial support of humanities grants, many promising projects may never see the light of day, stifling diversity in storytelling and limiting the range of voices that are heard.
As the industry grapples with these changes, filmmakers may need to seek alternative funding sources, collaborate more, or adapt their approaches to create compelling narratives within budget constraints. The shifting landscape calls for resilience and creativity as artists navigate these challenges.