The American Museum of Natural History’s Margaret Mead Film Festival, held each fall, honors the  anthropologist who pioneered the use of film for fieldwork. The Mead Festival screens documentaries, experimental films, animation, and hybrid works that cast light on the complexity and diversity of peoples and cultures.

In 2010, the Margaret Mead Film Festival inaugurated its Margaret Mead Filmmaker Award to recognize makers of outstanding feature documentaries that provide fresh perspectives on cultures or communities. A jury of industry professionals selects winners from among U.S., North American, or world premieres, and awards cash prizes.

The jury considers non-narrative films and videos– feature-length documentaries, hybrid works, shorts, experimental films, essay films, animation, and new media – that have been completed within the previous three years. Other stipulations and guidelines, and the entry form, are online. The early deadline is April 2 2012, while the final deadline is May 16 2012.