SRCF supports New York City-born, based, and inspired independent filmmakers through grants, fellowships, and community-building.

SRCF honors the life and continues the legacy of Shawn Regruto — a passionate filmmaker, mentor, and community builder who dedicated his life to storytelling and the people behind it — celebrating the transformative power of cinema to foster connection and advance artistic growth.  From his acclaimed feature film debut at the Tribeca Film Festival to his creation of Writer's Group New York — a screenwriting community he began in 2010 that continues to thrive — to his 15-year DJ residency for Cinetic Media at the Sundance Film Festival, Shawn’s New York “indie spirit" left an indelible light on the artistic community that continues to grow.

Through targeted grants, an annual fellowship, and plans for a flagship residency, SRCF encourages filmmakers to tell authentic, boundary-pushing stories, to use the power of cinema to enrich the human experience, and to harness the strength of community to help further their own individual growth.