The Academy Foundation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Thursday 37 recipients of its FilmCraft and FilmWatch grants programs.

FilmCraft grants support high-quality educational programs that identify and empower future filmmakers from nontraditional backgrounds.

FilmWatch grants support curated screening programs at North America-based film festivals, film societies and other film-related organizations. A total of $500,000 was awarded in these two categories for the 2016–17 grants year.

In addition, the Academy’s Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting program has partnered with Sundance Institute for the organization’s June Screenwriters Lab.

It is a five-day writer’s workshop that gives independent screenwriters the opportunity to work intensively on their feature film scripts with the support of established writers, in an environment that encourages innovation, creative risk-taking and original storytelling.

With a $20,000 grant from the Academy, the Institute will be able to fund two spots for writers from underrepresented groups.

The Academy Grants program, relaunched in October 2015, provides financial support to qualifying film festivals, educational institutions and film scholars.

Photo courtesy: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences