> One thing I noticed is that both this and another incredible film this year, Sirāt, were, at least in part, funded by a grants and state institutions.

Aren't almost all films partially funded by grants and state institutions?

For example the MPAA publishes guides like [1], and if you watch the credits of most films at the end you'll see "thanks to XYZ" where it was filmed.

Even if you film in Hollywood itself you are eligible for tax rebates[1]

[1] https://www.motionpictures.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Ol...

[2] https://www.ep.com/blog/california-expands-film-tax-incentiv...