New York, U.S.A. – The Adrienne Shelly Foundation (ASF) announced on July 31, 2012 that in continuing its mission of supporting women filmmakers it has awarded five new production grants.

ASF is a non-profit organization named in honor of the late actor, writer and director Adrienne Shelly, whose life was tragically cut short on November 1, 2006.

The five grants, awarded in conjunction with ASF partners Columbia University, Boston University, Tribeca All Access, Women in Film Finishing Fund and American Film Institute, are presented each year to talented women filmmakers to help support their artistic achievements and aid in the advancement of their careers, while remembering the legacy that Adrienne left behind.

The five new 2012 grant honorees are:

• Natasha Johns-Messenger – awarded the Adrienne Shelly Foundation Best Female Director Award through Columbia University for her film ‘Blackwood’.
• Anika Poitier – awarded the Adrienne Shelly Foundation Production Grant through the American Film Institute for her film ‘Black Irish’. Poitier is the daughter of famed actor, writer and director Sir Sidney Poitier.
• Kim Rideout – awarded the Adrienne Shelly Foundation Production Grant through Boston University for her film ‘The Dog House’.
• Rose Troche – awarded the Adrienne Shelly Foundation Filmmaker Grant through Tribeca All Access for her film ‘Xanadu’.
• Christina Eliopoulos – awarded the Adrienne Shelly Foundation Grant through the Women in Film Finishing Fund for her film ‘Demon on Wheels’.

“Each year we set out to find talented, committed women filmmakers who possess a similar passion, spirit and vision for which Adrienne was known.

This year’s recipients perfectly embody the values and vision of ASF and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a spotlight on the exceptional work that they’ve done,” said ASF founder and executive director Andy Ostroy.

“We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to partner with some of the industry’s finest academic and filmmaking institutions and help these talented women pursue their filmmaking dreams.”

About The Adrienne Shelly Foundation

Formed in January 2007, the Adrienne Shelly Foundation supports the artistic achievements of female filmmakers through a series of scholarships and grants, distributed through partnerships with Women in Film, IFP, Nantucket Film Festival, Sundance Institute, Tribeca Film Institute, Columbia University, Boston University, American Film Institute and Rooftop Films. Since its inception, it has awarded over thirty grants to female filmmakers all over the world.

For more information, please visit www.adrienneshellyfoundation.org.

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