Grace Kelly played many iconic roles in her short but illustrious Hollywood career, and as Princess of Monaco, she was a humanitarian and patron of the arts. In 1982, Prince Rainier III of Monaco, along with Kelly’s friends and family in the U.S. and donors from around the world, mobilized to establish the Princess Grace Foundation-USA as a public charity in her honor.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, the Film Society is proud to present a selection of award-winning short films from the Princess Grace Awards, given each year to emerging artists. The filmmakers presented here are at varying stages of their careers, from new directors to those who have successfully segued to the next level of their careers. The films to be screened include Lintscape by Caitlin Craggs (PGA 2008), Swinging in the Painter’s Room by Greg Mottola (PGA 1989, director of The Daytrippers, Superbad and episodes of the award-winning television series Arrested Development and The Newsroom), The Dance Lesson by Chinonye Chukwu (PGA 2009) and Bricks by David Riker (PGA 1995, Statue Award 2001, director of the feature films The City and The Girl). Many filmmakers will be with us for a post-screening conversation about the importance of support early in an artist’s career.

The Princess Grace Awards began in 1984 to recognize outstanding emerging artists in theater, dance, and film. The Film Scholarships began in 1989, to help students, both graduate and undergraduate, complete their thesis films. The Princess Grace Awards logo can be found in the credits of many short films in festivals around the world, and many recipients have gone on to make exciting feature-length work. The Foundation and its trustees are committed to helping Princess Grace Award winners in their artistic endeavors. This year, the Foundation established a partnership with the Ford Foundation’s JustFilms program to launch a Princess Grace JustFilms Documentary Award, which supports social justice documentary filmmaking with an emphasis on underrepresented communities by, from, or about South and Southeast Asia. In all, the Foundation has awarded more than 200 filmmakers; in all disciplines, the Foundation has awarded over $9.5 million in grants since 1984.

Lintscape
Caitlin Craggs | 2008 | USA | 4m

While doing laundry, a middle aged woman is attacked by a piece of lint lurking in the dryer; said lint will stop at nothing short of world domination.

Swinging in the Painter’s Room
Greg Mottola | 1989 | USA | 11m

A comedy shot in black & white about young New Yorkers who are inordinately preoccupied by narcissism, infidelity, kleptomania and a large portrait of Frank Sinatra.

The Dance Lesson
Chinonye Chukwu | 2010 | USA | 14m

Against the backdrop of gentrified Philadelphia neighborhood, a young economically disadvantaged girl yearns to be a ballerina.

Bricks
David Riker | 1995 | USA | 15m
In one of New York City’s poorer neighborhoods, Latin American immigrants, many of whom barely speak English, live at the mercy of exploitative employers and inflexible institutions.

Hyper
Michael Canzoniero | 2002 | USA | 5m

Ace Bivone has been fighting a battle every waking hour, minute, and second of his life. The enemy? Time. With Ace Bivone's Timesavers you'll learn all his trademark methods, such as How to Multi-Task Each Moment, Economize Your Actions and Create Your Own Shortcuts. If there's a way to save a second, Mr. Bivone will teach you how.

The Princess Grace Awards began in 1984 to recognize outstanding emerging artists in theater, dance, and film. The Film Scholarships began in 1989, to help students, both graduate and undergraduate, complete their thesis films. The Princess Grace Foundation logo can be found in the credits of many short films in festivals around the world, and many recipients have gone on to make exciting feature-length work. The Foundation and its trustees are committed to helping Princess Grace Award winners in their artistic endeavors. This year, the Foundation established a partnership with the Ford Foundation’s JustFilms program to launch a Princess Grace JustFilms Documentary Award, which supports social justice documentary filmmaking with an emphasis on underrepresented communities by, from, or about South and Southeast Asia. In all, the Foundation has awarded more than 200 filmmakers; in all disciplines, the Foundation has awarded over $9.5 million in grants since 1984.