We love our film + impact community. Our hearts go out to all of us affected by COVID-19: filmmakers, festival employees, students, small businesses, theaters, distributors, service industry workers, and vulnerable populations. It’s a scary time to be in independent film, but there isn’t a more resilient and resourceful community. We are inspired and motivated to help uplift artists and organizers and find new innovative ways to continue what we do best.
Here are some of the initiatives, funds, and resources recently circulated to help support our community:

How to Support the Film Community
Tweet out your support for your favorite upcoming films and directors, lots of folks are looking for what to watch at home. 
Tell your legislators to include arts nonprofits in COVID-19 economic relief and stimulus packages. You can assist in requesting relief for movie theaters and their employees through NATO here and Art House Convergence and Film Festival Alliance have co-authored a letter template here that you can send to your legislators.
Watch the recorded webinar Arts and Culture Sector and the Coronavirus: What we Know and How to Move Forward hosted by Americans for the Arts
Donate to one of the many funds raising money to support artists, theaters, and festival workers:
The TFI Emergency Artist Support Fund will provide rapid relief for TFI alumni who have lost jobs or freelance opportunities
The Cinema Worker Solidarity Fund provides support to cinema workers who are out of work because of the crisis and who are not being otherwise compensated
Celebrate the 2020 Jury and Special Award winners of the cancelled 2020 SXSW Film Festival
Be sure to check out the Social Distancing Festival, an online community celebrating and showcasing work by many artists who have been affected by COVID-19, including festival cancellations.
If you have children and the means to support, Cinemakidz is now offering live digital creative workshops for children ages 7 – 15. 

Resources for Artists
Women & Hollywood is publishing weekly features highlighting crowdfunding campaigns for projects by and/or about women that have been impacted by a coronavirus-related cancellation. They are accepting applications on a rolling basis!
Creative Capital is curating a growing list of resources and support funds for artists
Doc NYC has a list of filmmaker resources.
San Francisco has announced an Arts Relief Program
COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources 

How to Support Vulnerable Communities
Need child care because of COVID-19 school closures? Reach out to a freelancer, service employee, stagehand, or artist, who can’t work.
iFundWomen is collecting donations for New Yorkers that need food assistance.
Communicate with your neighbor and identify who in your building or neighborhood needs help and who is able to help while practicing social distancing by using The Color Code
Learn how to create a  Neighborhood Pod
When stocking up, leave the WIC labeled foods on the shelf and choose an alternative, as these may be the only food items that people with WIC can purchase
If you know a student whose school has been closed, let them know that Spectrum is offering free service to students without internet.

How to Support Healthcare workers:
Sign the  #ThankYouHealthCareWorkers card by TIME’S UP to send a quick thank you and share on your social media platforms. 
Don’t stockpile masks, instead help support healthcare workers on the frontlines who are running low on essential supplies and safety equipment. If you have any supplies — such as medical grade gloves, surgical masks, or hand sanitizer — please call your local healthcare facilities to see if they could use a donation.
Tell congress to increase personal protective equipment distribution to protect our healthcare workers. 

Want to go to the theater without leaving your home?
Check out these platforms that allow you to support smaller arthouse cinemas while watching incredible films:
Kino Marquee – Kino Lorber’s theatrical exhibition initiative
Music Box StreamLocal – Directly support your local cinema and experience the latest in international art house films with online screenings and livestream Q&A discussions with filmmakers
Film Movement’s Virtual Cinema – Watch a film presented by your favorite movie theater
Reel Abilities Film Festival – Watch selected films and conversations from the festival via their interactive online streaming platform
Stay safe.

In solidarity,
Team PicMo

Abigail Disney’s Fork Films Reveals Documentary Grant Recipients | The Hollywood Reporter
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and ‘Roma’ star Yalitza Aparicio unite for domestic workers | The Los Angeles Times
Brand and Storytelling Collaboration Take Center Stage at the Women & Worth Summit | Picture Motion
Chile’s Indigenous Filmmakers Make Their Voices Heard | Variety
How Films and Philanthropy Can Bring About Social Change | Philanthropy.com
MALA’s Partnership with THE CAVE: Social Change via Storytelling | Picture Motion
The Power of the Woman-Identifying Auteur | Picture Motion
TV series explores why girls should see science, technology, engineering and math as the right career moves | Washington Post
Watched a Film in a Virtual Theater: Helping Independent Theaters Survive | Picture Motion / Cinema 4 Culture