Program areas at First Look Institute
Intercept is an independent news organization delivering unflinching investigative journalism that unearths injustices and holds the powerful accountable. Beholden only to the public, never to corporate influence, The Intercept is committed to defending its First Amendment right to report information that the public deserves to know. Its in-depth investigations focus on politics, war, surveillance, corruption, criminal justice, the environment, immigration, the media, technology and more. Intercept Brasil is Intercept's news agency based in Rio de Janeiro that produces investigative articles focused on Brazil for an international audience. Intercept gives its journalists in the US and Brazil the editorial freedom and legal support they need to expose corruption and injustice where they find it.
The Press Freedom Defense Fund gives direct financial support to news organizations, reporters, and whistleblowers to pay for legal expenses, along with providing technical assistance and professional guidance, so information that is critical to our democracy can be brought to light without fear of retribution. Through grants (often paid directly to expert legal counsel who agree to provide representation at reduced/capped fees) and educational outreach to support established and non-traditional journalists and news organizations, the Fund opposes official actions that restrict press freedoms and seek source information or journalistic materials. It is one of the few programs that supports whistleblowers and other journalistic sources.
Prioritizing artistic approach, creative innovation, and integrated mentorship, Field of Vision commissions and produces nonfiction films that empower filmmakers to tell the vital stories of our world. By exploring contemporary global issues through a cinematic lens, creators are able to push boundaries, perspectives, and narratives in storytelling. With comprehensive multidisciplinary support for filmmakers, journalists, and artists, Field of Vision advocates for greater equity, inclusion, and sustainability, with an unwavering commitment to supporting filmmakers and their development.FOV's work includes individual short and feature-length films, episodic series, thematic approaches to a single topic by multiple filmmakers, deep-dive investigations pairing filmmakers with journalists, rapid-response assignments, and collaborations with artists across mediums. FOV's commitment to short-form documentary films allows filmmakers to respond quickly, take creative risks, explore new ways of storytelling, and make new films with a faster production cycle. FOVs films are distributed through a variety of outlets, including news organizations, film festivals, online platforms, broadcast, streaming and cable. Through fellowships and production support and agreements, FOV provides filmmakers the necessary support and resources to create their films.