Ellis-Beauregard Foundation and Points North Institute Introduce New Award for Documentary Filmmakers
New Documentary Award Announced by Ellis-Beauregard Foundation and Points North Institute
The Ellis-Beauregard Foundation has partnered with Points North Institute, the organization behind the Camden International Film Festival, to introduce a new documentary award aimed at supporting innovative filmmakers. The annual Ellis-Beauregard Foundation Documentary Film Award will offer a $50,000 unrestricted grant to a feature-length documentary currently in post-production. This initiative is designed to encourage artist-driven work that challenges conventional storytelling and enhances the language of nonfiction cinema.
Applications for the award will be accepted from March 1 to March 31, with a preference for projects slated for completion by summer 2027. A panel composed of industry leaders will evaluate the finalists based on criteria such as artistic excellence, originality, vision clarity, and creative potential.
Founded in 2009, the Ellis-Beauregard Foundation aims to provide resources and support for artists while engaging with the community to honor the legacy of its co-founders, Joan Beauregard and David Ellis.
“This Award reflects our belief in documentary as both a living art form and a vital act of truth-telling,” said Donna McNeil, executive director of the Ellis-Beauregard Foundation. “In an era when truth is contested and clarity is urgently needed, we are proud to support filmmakers who are taking creative risks and advancing their work at a pivotal moment in post-production.”
In addition to the grant, the award includes a creative retreat hosted by Points North Institute, scheduled to coincide with the 2026 Camden International Film Festival. The film’s director and editor will participate in a retreat focused on craft, collaboration, and creativity.
During the retreat, the filmmaking team will share a work-in-progress cut in a supportive environment with leading documentary editors, producers, and creative advisers. The aim is to foster meaningful dialogue, rigorous feedback, and space for reflection on the challenges of post-production.
Elise McCave, executive director of Points North Institute, emphasized the mission of creating a supportive community for filmmakers. “By pairing substantial unrestricted funding with a retreat rooted in trust and craft, we hope to support films at a moment when focused attention can help unlock their full creative potential,” she stated.
Camden, Maine harbor
The 22nd edition of the Camden International Film Festival is scheduled for September 17-20, 2026, at various venues in Camden, Rockport, and Rockland, Maine. The Ellis-Beauregard Foundation is based in Rockland, where the founding artists spent their later years.
In addition to the new documentary film award, the Ellis-Beauregard Foundation also supports several initiatives, including a choreography grant, five grants for Maine artists, and a separate $50,000 grant for a U.S.-based visual artist. A quote from founding artist Joan Beauregard encapsulates the foundation’s mission, encouraging individuals to explore their creative potential across various artistic disciplines.
“For me, Art and Life are one,” Beauregard remarked. “Whatever I might say about what I am doing today may not be true tomorrow. And every attempt is a wholly new start… Finding a way to make a beautiful work seems impossible, but sometimes when I give up and then just go ahead anyway, putting one foot in front of the other on the road, I find the way.”
