The KET Fund for Independent Production
In addition to our own full slate of productions, KET supports Kentucky programs through grants to local independent filmmakers. Using funds specially allocated by the General Assembly, the KET Fund for Independent Production has been awarding grants to Kentucky-based film and video makers each biennium since 1990.
The KFIP has helped fund projects ranging from documentaries and dramatic features to animated shorts. In return, KET viewers get the first chance to see the completed works.
The newest KFIP film is Call to War by Dorian Walker of Bowling Green. It tells the true stories of two young Kentuckians in the Civil War. William Horsfall left his Newport home at the age of 12 and went on to become the youngest Congressional Medal of Honor winner in history at 14. By contrast, 15-year-old Asa Lewis from Barren County left the army to go home and harvest crops to feed his starving family, only to be court-martialed upon his return and then executed. • Sunday, May 18 at 4:30/3:30 pm CT on KET2 and Saturday, May 24 at 3:00/2:00 pm CT on KET1
Though made primarily for regional audiences, several KFIP-supported films have gone on to air nationwide. They include Robby Henson’s Pharaoh’s Army (pictured at left), Eren McGinnis and Ari Palos’ The Spirituals and Beyond the Border, Tobacco Blues by McGinnis and Christine Fugate, Heather Lyons’ M&M Smith: For Posterity’s Sake, Walter Brock’s LAND (and how it gets that way) and If I Can’t Do It, Andy Garrison’s Wilgus Stories, and Louis Guida’s You Ain’t Seen Nothin’: Tales from the Kentucky Derby. Browse our list of KFIP-funded programs, and you’ll probably see several other familiar titles.
Kentucky was the first state to establish such a fund to support local filmmakers. Through the KFIP and other production partnerships, KET is a leader among public television stations in working with regional independents. And several individual filmmakers have gotten national recognition for their KET-supported work. But the ultimate winners, of course, are Kentucky viewers!
For Producers: KET will next take applications for KFIP grants in the fall of 2008, with grants to be awarded in early 2009. You can read more about the requirements and print or download an application form on our application guidelines page. If you would like to be notified when it’s time to apply, e-mail a request to . Please include your full postal address.
