In 1986, the Chanticleer Films’ Discovery Program was founded by producers Jana Sue Memel and Jonathan Sanger to give film industry professionals in other areas of the business an opportunity to direct their first 35mm short film. “Ray’s Male Heterosexual Dance Hall” (1987), the very first film produced by Chanticleer, won an Academy Award in the Live Action Short Film category. Directed by the likes of Griffin Dunne, Christine Lahti, and Jeff Goldblum, 10 more nominations resulting in two more Academy Awards followed. In 1995 alone, four of the five films nominated in the Live Action Short Film category were Chanticleer Films productions. In April 2011, the Chanticleer Films Discovery and Directed By Shorts Collection, consisting of 35mm prints and elements for more than 60 short films, was deposited at the Academy Film Archive by Memel and Sanger.