(1) Since September 11, 2001, a distorted per-
ception of the United States has grown abroad, even 
as many Americans struggle to understand the in-
creasingly complex world beyond the borders of the 
United States. 
(2) This public diplomacy crisis poses an ongo-
ing threat to United States security, diplomatic rela-
tions, commerce, and citizen-to-citizen relationships 
between the United States and other countries. 
(3) Independently produced documentary films 
have proven to be an effective means of commu-
nicating United States ideas and values to popu-
lations of other countries. 
(4) It is in the interest of the United States to 
provide assistance to United States nongovernmental 
organizations that produce and distribute independ-
ently produced documentary films. 
SEC. 3. GRANTS FOR INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY EX-
CHANGE PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE BETTER 
UNDERSTANDING OF THE UNITED STATES 
ABROAD AND BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF 
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES AND OTHER COUN-
TRIES IN THE UNITED STATES. 
(a) ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary of State is author-
ized to make grants, on such terms and conditions as the 
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Secretary may determine, to United States nongovern-
mental organizations that use independently produced 
documentary films to promote better understanding of the 
United States abroad and better understanding of global 
perspectives and other countries in the United States. 
(b) ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED.—Grants provided under 
subsection (a) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, 
be used to carry out the following activities: 
(1) Fund, distribute, and promote accessible, 
compelling, and credible documentary films that con-
vey a diversity of views about life in the United 
States to foreign audiences and bring insightful for-
eign perspectives to United States audiences. 
(2) Support documentaries described in para-
graph (1) that are made by independent foreign and 
domestic producers, selected through a peer review 
process. 
(3) Develop a network of overseas partners to 
produce, distribute, and broadcast such documen-
taries. 
(c) SPECIAL FACTORS.—In making the grants de-
scribed in subsection (a), the Secretary shall give pref-
erence to nongovernmental organizations that— 
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(1) provide at least 35 percent of the total 
project cost in matching funds from non-Federal 
sources; and 
(2) have prior experience supporting independ-
ently produced documentary films that have been 
broadcast on public television in the United States. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than two years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
to Congress a report that contains a detailed description 
of the implementation of this section for the prior year. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of State $5,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2014 to carry 
out this section. 
(2) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts appropriated pur-
suant to the authorization of appropriations under 
paragraph (1) are authorized to remain available 
until expended. 
Æ 
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