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The Big Tell
Short Films. Big Stories.

The Big Tell (TBT) is the only annual film festival in the region which exclusively features Central Valley filmmakers and their stories. Led by the Community Media Access Collaborative CMAC and supported by the Foundation with generous financial support from the James B. McClatchy Foundation, TBT offers grants to local filmmakers for the production of mini-documentaries that feature Central Valley stories.

The Foundation was the founder of The Big Tell and developed the program for the first five years before drafting CMAC to take over as project lead. CVCF remains a financial supporter, collaborator and, in general, leads the cheering section for the filmmakers and their powerful stories each year.

Foundation’s Role

Geographic Focus

Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kings, Merced, and Mariposa Counties

Launched in 2017 by the Central Valley Community Foundation and now managed by CMAC, ten grants of $5,000 each are awarded to area filmmakers for the creation of short films about the people, places, history, and future of the Central Valley. Winners have 3 months to complete their short films and receive one-on-one mentorship from Emmy-nominated documentarian Sascha Brown Rice. The ten films are showcased at the annual The Big Tell film premiere.

The Big Tell Partners

  • James B. McClatchy Foundation

  • Community Media Access Collaborative

  • Sascha Brown Rice

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