MacArthur, a supporter of independently produced film and video for more than three decades, announced 15 grants totaling more than $2 million for documentary film projects.

The documentaries address a range of important issues, including the public health perils of digital devices, the work of citizen journalists in Liberia, the safety of America’s nuclear weapons and nuclear power industry, and the ways in which the U.S. criminal justice system handles the shooting deaths of unarmed black youth.

“Documentaries play an increasingly important role in informing the American public,” said Elspeth Revere, MacArthur’s Vice President of Media, Culture, and Special Initiatives. “This year’s films examine serious, timely issues all over the world in creative, engaging ways.”

The Foundation received nearly 400 proposals in response to its most recent open call for independent documentary film proposals.

“We are always impressed by the creative energy, considered approach, and commitment to illuminating important issues that filmmakers demonstrate during our call for proposals,” said Kathy Im, Director of Media, Culture, and Special Initiatives at MacArthur.

NALIPster and former board member, Ruiz' doc, follows a group of forensic anthropology investigators from Latin America who challenge the official story of repressive and violent regimes in countries across the globe. Dubbed “unlikely forensic sleuths” in the late 1980s, a group of Latin American students helps to transform the nascent field of forensic anthropology, giving birth to an international team that has challenged the official cover ups and denials of repressive and violent regimes in countries across the globe. By tracing their story, the film also connects the dots between some of the key conflicts in Central and Latin America over the past three decades.

See more at: www.macfound.org