Library and The Better Angels Society Open Submissions for Seventh Annual Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film
Annual Prize, Supported by The Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation and The Better Angels Society, Recognizes Exemplary U.S. History Documentaries;
$2.25 Million Has Been Awarded Since 2019
The Library of Congress, The Better Angels Society, Ken Burns, and the Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation today announced the open call for entries for the seventh annual Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film, which provides critical recognition and resources to filmmakers who produce exemplary documentary films that tell compelling stories about American history.
The Prize for Film was established in 2019 by the Library of Congress and The Better Angels Society, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to engaging Americans with their history through documentary film. This award is bestowed annually by the Librarian of Congress in partnership with The Better Angels Society and provides a cash prize of $200,000 to one winner, a secondary prize of $50,000 to one runner-up, and $25,000 to each of four other finalists. Core underwriting for this prize is provided by a generous gift from Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine through the Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation.
“I continue to be inspired by the submissions we receive each year for the Prize for Film,” said Ken Burns. “I’ve been amazed by the range of topics that past films have explored – many of which seemingly could have been lost in time if not for the vital work of these production teams. The mission of this prize remains as critical as ever, and I encourage filmmakers who are in late-stage production on historical documentaries to apply.”
“Through historical documentaries, we learn more fully that the past is prologue,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. “From the very first Prize recipient in 2019, ‘Flannery,’ to those winners and finalists who have followed, these films and filmmakers have shed light on the often-untold stories that have been woven into the fabric of the American experience. We are excited to see what this year’s film submissions have in store for us.”
“We’re thrilled to launch formally the seventh year of the Prize for Film,” said Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine. “We believe strongly in the purpose of this prize and in the talented filmmakers that it supports. We look forward to recognizing these impactful films later this year.”
To date, members of the 2025 National Jury include filmmakers Julianna Brannum and Yoruba Richen, and film executive Jacqueline Glover. Additional members will be announced soon.
The Prize for Film is also supported by an Honorary Committee of acclaimed thought leaders drawn from different corners of the media and cultural landscape, united by a common interest in supporting work that highlights our country’s history through documentary film. This committee will be announced soon.
In 2021, thanks to additional support from the Lavines, The Better Angels Lavine Fellowship was also established. Five fellows are selected from promising submissions to the Prize for Film that tell lesser-known stories about American history. Fellows then receive customized mentorship and a $5,000 prize to help advance their project and seek distribution.
“The Prize for Film has also created a remarkable community of established and emerging filmmakers and the people who support and appreciate their work,” said Katherine Malone-France, president & CEO of The Better Angels Society. “It is an honor to engage and continue to expand this community in the seventh year of the Prize for Film.”
Since 2019, when the Prize for Film started, $2.25 million has been distributed among filmmakers. Winning films have included “Flannery” (directed by Elizabeth Coffman and Mark Bosco, S.J.); “Hold Your Fire” (directed by Stefan Forbes); “Gradually, Then Suddenly: The Bankruptcy of Detroit” (directed by Sam Katz and James McGovern); “Bella!” (directed by Jeff L. Lieberman); “Philly on Fire” (directed by Ross Hockrow and Tommy Walker); “Drop Dead City – New York on the Brink in 1975” (directed by Peter Yost and Michael Rohatyn); and “Cartooning America” (directed by Asaf Galay). These – and other finalist films – have been distributed through theatrical releases, film festivals and major streaming platforms.
Through 2023, 87% of Prize for Film winners and finalists have been broadcast across PBS, Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video and more. Many of the films have played major festivals, including Sundance Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, SXSW and DOC NYC. Past recipients have also been nominated for or won major awards, including The Peabody Awards, NAACP Image Award, The Emmy Awards and the IDA Awards.
To be eligible for the prize, films must be submitted by May 1, 2025, and meet several criteria. Most notably the film must focus on an American historical subject, issue or person within a time frame occurring at least twenty years prior to submission and present a variety of perspectives grounded in extensive and thorough research. The majority of the film must be historically focused to qualify. For more information about the submission guidelines, visit https://www.thebetterangelssociety.org/home/library-of-congress-lavine-ken-burns-prize-for-film/.
About Ken Burns
Ken Burns has been making documentary films for almost fifty years. Since the Academy Award nominated “Brooklyn Bridge” in 1981, Ken has gone on to direct and produce some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made, including “The Civil War;” “Baseball;” “Jazz;” “The War;” “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea;” “Prohibition;” “The Roosevelts: An Intimate History;” “The Vietnam War;” “Country Music;” “The U.S. and the Holocaust;” “The American Buffalo;” and, most recently, “Leonardo da Vinci.” Future film projects include “The American Revolution,” “Emancipation to Exodus,” and “LBJ & the Great Society,” among others. Ken’s films have been honored with dozens of major awards, including seventeen Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards and two Oscar nominations. In September of 2008, at the News & Documentary Emmy Awards, Ken was honored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In November of 2022, Ken was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
About The Better Angels Society
The Better Angels Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating Americans about their history through documentary film. They are the pre-eminent organization supporting American history documentary filmmakers in ways that advance education and civic engagement. The Society works to ensure that films about American history by emerging and established filmmakers are completed, broadcast, promoted, and shared with wide audiences. The organization raises funds to support individual films in partnership with public media and provides recognition and mentoring to student filmmakers through programs like the Next Generation Angels Awards in partnership with National History Day® and the Latest Generation Film Contest in partnership with the Lincoln Presidential Foundation.
About The Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation
Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine established the Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation to focus a significant portion of their philanthropic efforts toward leveling the playing field for individuals and families. The Foundation works to address pressing social challenges in education, community and public service, health and welfare, discrimination, and poverty. The Foundation supports the multi-disciplinary efforts of organizations that serve to strengthen society through research, innovation, public policy, direct service, and advocacy.
About the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States – and extensive materials from around the world – both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services, and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.
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Media Contact: Deb Fiscella, dfiscella@loc.gov
PR 25-015
02-26-25
ISSN 0731-3527