Every season we comb the internet to find the latest and greatest filmmaking grants with upcoming or rolling deadlines. This list includes over 95 grants, organized by categories: Documentary, Narrative, Screenwriting, Underrepresented Filmmakers, and Virtual Reality & Edge Tech.
If you’re looking for photography grants, check out Summer 2018 Photography Grants and Fellowships. Want to fund your film without a grant? Check out our guide– How to Fund Your Movie: a Beginner’s Guide to Film Finance –for some some industry tips.
Of course, once you win that grant, KitSplit will make your money go even farther. Many of the thousands of KitSplit owners offer amazing deals –often 30-50% better rates than what you’d find elsewhere.
Without further ado—check out our grants list below!
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Documentary Grants
ITVS Open Call
Deadline: 2/15/2019
“We’re looking for exceptional storytelling that’s in line with our mission: stories that take risks, tackle important issues, and are seldom seen in public media. We know how hard you’ve worked on your project, and we’ll partner with you to help you finish it, then distribute it on public television.”
The Jerome Foundation’s Film and Video Grant Program
Deadline: 2/17/2019
“The Jerome Foundation’s Film and Video Grant Program is a production grant program for individual film and video artists who work in the genres of experimental, narrative, animation, and documentary production.”
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Visions Sud Est Fund
Deadline: 2/27/2019
“The fund supports film productions from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe, aims at making them visible worldwide and guarantees their distribution in Switzerland.”
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World Cinema Fund Production Grant
Deadline: 3/2/2019
“Together with the Federal Foundation for Culture and in cooperation with the Goethe Institute, the Foreign Ministry and German producers, the World Cinema Fund works to develop and support cinema in regions with a weak film infrastructure, while fostering cultural diversity in German cinemas.”
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The Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Foundation For Documentary Photography & Film
Deadline: 3/21/2019
“Mirroring the mission of our foundation and themes covered in our still photography grants, we invite documentary film makers around the globe to share their human interest stories and submit their “Short-Short” documentary film projects highlighting human unrest, forgotten communities, over-exploited people and environments impacted by war, poverty, famine, disease, exploitation and global distress.”
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American Documentary Film Fund
Deadline: 3/30/2019
“In addition to our annual 5-day film festival, we are proud to share the American Documentary Film Fund with independent American filmmakers who will participate and compete for financing for new projects as well as works in progress. An amount up to $50,000 may be awarded or distributed in any given year.”
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IDFA International Co-Production Support
Deadline: 4/1/2019
“The IDFA Bertha Fund supports international co-productions between documentary filmmakers in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Middle East and parts of Eastern Europe and European co-producers.”
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HotDocs Ted Rogers Fund
Deadline: Rolling
“Over the coming 10 years, production grants will be distributed to Canadian documentary filmmakers. Up to $35,000 will be granted to three or four projects each year.”
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Sundance Documentary Fund
Deadline: Rolling
“The Sundance Documentary Film Program supports non-fiction filmmakers worldwide in the production of cinematic documentaries on contemporary themes. The Program is a vibrant global resource for independent non-fiction storytelling.”
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The Fledgling Fund
Deadline: Rolling
“We support audience engagement planning and implementation. Support for planning is for building the strategy for outreach and engagement and can be used before a project is complete to prepare for its launch. Grants are NOT available to support production or post-production.”
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The Bertha BRITDOC Documentary Journalism Fund
Deadline: Rolling
“The fund supports projects at the intersection of film and investigative journalism that break the important stories of our time, expose injustice, and bring attention to unreported issues.”
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The Filmmaker Fund
Deadline: Rolling
“To be selected as a project of the Filmmaker Fund is to have a partner in the entirety of the journey. That includes grants of up to $75K as well as access to low cost DCP services. It also includes invitation to Sonoma retreats, festival navigation and distribution strategy.”
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The Scottish Documentary Institute Consultancies
Deadline: Rolling
“Scottish Documentary Institute is offering year-round submissions of Scottish documentary projects in development (shorts and features) to our Docscene project pool. The projects will then be steered towards forthcoming training programmes or other funding opportunities, depending on theme and scope: Seed Funding, Interdoc, the Edinburgh Pitch and prepared for other submissions to funders, meet markets or pitching forums. The aim is to improve quality of project development and increase the talent pool.”
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IFP Fiscal Sponsorship
Deadline: Rolling
“IFP Fiscal Sponsorship is exclusively for creative, artistic and/or educational film, video and transmedia projects, giving filmmakers the benefit of our focused experience and reputation in the field.”
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The Film Collaborative Fiscal Sponsorship
Deadline: Rolling
“The Film Collaborative Fiscal Sponsorship is used primarily when a non-profit film or film-related project or event wants to secure funding from individual, foundation, government or corporate sources that give only to nonprofit organizations with IRS tax-exempt status. To be considered exempt, an organization must hold a current 501(c)(3) certificate from the IRS.”
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Catapult Film Fund
Deadline: Rolling
“Catapult Film Fund provides development funding to documentary filmmakers who have a compelling story to tell, have secured access to their story and are ready to shoot and edit a piece for production fundraising purposes. Our mission is to enable filmmakers to develop their film projects to the next level at a moment where funding is hard to find. We support powerful stories, and moving storytelling, across a broad spectrum of issues and perspectives.”_
_ Narrative Grants
Creative Capital
Deadline: 2/28/2019
“Creative Capital provides each funded project with up to $50,000 in direct funding and career development services valued at $45,000, for a total commitment of up to $95,000 per project.”
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SFFILM Documentary Film Fund
Applications Open: 3/2019
“The SFFILM Documentary Film Fund (DFF) supports engaging documentaries in post-production which exhibit compelling stories, intriguing characters and an innovative visual approach.”
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The David Ross Fetzer Foundation for Emerging Artists
Deadline: 3/14/2019
“The film award consists of a grant of $5,000 to a U.S filmmaker 35 or under at the time of application for the production of a short film that will be shown as a private screening with the filmmaker in attendance at the annual foundation event in Salt Lake City the year the grant is awarded.”
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Movies that Matter
Deadline: 4/16/2019
“Movies that Matter supports small-scale projects that have a total budget of less than € 20,000. Film screenings will contribute to discussion about human rights in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Middle East or Eastern Europe. Movies that Matter values films with high cinematic quality.”
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The Film Fund
Deadline: 4/22/2019
“Starting out as an independent filmmaker not based in Los Angeles or New York, I found myself struggling to raise financing and find resources for my film projects, and it appeared that many contests were dominated by those who already had industry experience or access to better resources and crew. The Film Fund is designed to level the funding field, as no advantage is given to entrants based on industry experience. Effective storytellers should be able to succinctly convey the vision they have for their projects, and that is the basis of the contest.”
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Roy W. Dean Grant
Deadline: 4/30/2019
“The Roy W. Dean Film Grants funds independent feature films, documentaries, web series, and short films that are unique and make a contribution to society that, without its help, might otherwise never get made.
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Sundance Creative Distribution Fellowship
Deadline: Rolling
“Sundance Institute’s Creative Distribution Initiative is committed to helping independent storytellers build audiences and sustain careers through innovations in marketing, distribution, and data transparency. We imagine a world without barriers between artists and audiences.Formerly named Artist Services, our department has supported the release of 200+ films into the market through partnerships with leading digital retailers; notable films include pioneering self-releases First Girl I Loved, BURN, Upstream Color, and Detropia. We have also supported nearly 400 crowdfunding campaigns – over $20M raised – by consulting with filmmakers on audience building techniques. We’ve been on the front lines of creative distribution for nearly seven years – and with our Creative Distribution Fellowship, we’re expanding our efforts.”
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Big Vision Empty Wallet Incubator Fellowship
Deadline: Rolling
“We choose talented fellows with compelling POVs to develop work with and the projects that move forward through our incubator feed into Big Vision Creative, our NY-based, but palm-tree-loving production company.
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Cinereach Film Grant
Deadline: Rolling
“Cinereach develops, produces, finances, and supports feature-length fiction, nonfiction and hybrid films crafted for the big screen. We look for projects (at any stage) that create deep and lasting impressions through story, character, or cinematic approach. We seek to work with both unknown and established filmmakers who may face creative, financial or systemic obstacles to realizing ambitious visions. Our films range widely in content and style.”
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Panavision New Filmmaker Program
Deadline: Rolling
“The New Filmmaker Program loans film or digital camera packages (based on availability) to filmmakers for student thesis films, “low-budget” independent features, showcase reels, Public Service Announcements, or any other type of short not-for-profit project. The New Filmmaker Program has served hundreds of aspiring filmmakers, many of them eventually becoming regular Panavision customers.”
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World Cinema Fund: Distribution
Deadline: Rolling
“The World Cinema Fund supports films in distribution, that could not be made without additional funding: films that stand out with an unconventional aesthetic approach, that tell powerful stories and transmit an authentic image of their cultural roots.”
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The Green Room Filmmaker Fund
Deadline: Rolling
“The Green Room Filmmaker Fund is open to all filmmakers, cast, crew and creatives from around the world. We encourage as much as possible diversity of creativity, talent and content.”
_Screenwriting Grants
NEA ART WORKS Grants
Deadline: 2/14/2019
“The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to support activities that reflect the dynamic, diverse, and evolving nature of the media arts field. Applicants may apply in this Art Works category for media arts projects that support creation, exhibition, education, and distribution of historic and contemporary artworks in all genres and forms that use electronic media, film and technology (analog & digital; old and new) as an artistic medium or a medium to broaden arts appreciation and awareness (of any discipline). All genres are welcome to apply; all phases of project support are eligible.”
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Scriptapalooza Screenwriting Competition
Deadline: 3/4/2019
“From choosing our judges to creating opportunities, our top priority has always been the writer. We surround ourselves with reputable and successful companies, including the many producers, literary agents, and managers who read your scripts.”
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Showtime Tony Cox Screenplay Competitions
Deadline: 3/15/2019
“Showtime Tony Cox Screenplay Competitions recognize emerging writers in four unique categories as the best from the pool of submissions each year. Finalists in each competition are read by prestigious juries, receive top industry recognition, and participate in a Festival focused specifically on screenwriting that includes cash prizes for all competitions and a Mentors Brunch with a prominent screenwriter.”
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Screencraft Film Fund
Deadline: 3/31/2019
“Every 6 months, up to two filmmakers will be awarded this production grant of up to $30,000 in production funds. We announce the winner(s) 6 weeks after each final deadline.”
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_Women & Underrepresented Filmmaker Grants
Women In Film Finishing Fund
Deadline: 6/30/2019
“The Women In Film Finishing Fund gives grants to filmmakers working in both short and long formats, in all genres — narrative, documentary, animated and experimental.”
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Glassbreaker Films Catalyst Grant
Deadline: Rolling
“Catalyst Grants allow a diverse group of young filmmakers to conceive of a short, innovative and original non-fiction digital project to receive funding and mentorship to bring it to life and kickstart their career.
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Cinereach Grants
Deadline: Rolling
“Cinereach develops, produces, finances, and supports feature-length fiction, nonfiction and hybrid films crafted for the big screen. We look for projects (at any stage) that create deep and lasting impressions through story, character, or cinematic approach.”
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Women Make Movies: Fiscal Sponsorship
Deadline: Rolling
“Fiscal Sponsorship is the largest component of the Production Assistance Program. Fiscal Sponsorship is designed for women filmmakers who are actively fundraising for their film or video project and need 501(c)(3) non-profit tax-exempt status.”
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Filmmakers Without Borders Grants
Deadline: Rolling
“FILMMAKERS WITHOUT BORDERS (FWB) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that is dedicated to empowering the next generation of digital storytellers. FWB filmmaking grants provide funding and support for independent filmmakers to share their stories. Funds are available for narrative, documentary, experimental, and new media projects in various stages of production. FWB encourages both novice and experienced filmmakers from around the world to apply for grant funding.”
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Unitarian Universalist Funding Program
Deadline: Rolling
“The Fund will consider funding films, publications, or curricula only if they are an integral part of a strategy of collective action for social change. Grants: up to $15,000; most from $6,000-$8,000”–
_Virtual Reality & Interactive Grants
Merge AR VR Developer Fund
Deadline: Rolling
“We’re committed to supporting your vision and want to invest in you! Whether you’re building an educational game, a digital toy, or another innovative AR/VR experience, we want to help make your ideas a reality.”
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Kaleidoscope Fund
Deadline: Rolling
“At Kaleidoscope our mission is to give independent VR creators and studios the resources they need to do great work. An invite-only community, Kaleidoscope helps secure financing, distribution and exposure for premium VR content.”
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OSVR Developer Fund
Deadline: Rolling
“OSVR knows that VR content developers can’t afford to be limited by walled gardens and closed ecosystems. By supporting OSVR, developers can not only remain focused on creating the best VR experience without any limitations, but instantly gain audience as new VR platforms get released. This fund is open to all developers, indie or major, to apply. For every successful applicant, OSVR funding partners will purchase copies of their content in exchange for OSVR integration.
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Ford Foundation: JustFilms
Deadline: Rolling
“The Ford Foundation seeks to reduce inequality in all of its forms, and artist-driven documentary and emerging media projects are a crucial to this effort. As part of the Creativity and Free Expression program, JustFilms funds social justice storytelling and the 21st century arts infrastructure that supports it. The projects and people we support inspire imaginations, disrupt stereotypes, and help transform the conditions that perpetuate injustice and inequality.”
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Alfred P. Sloan Foundation New Media Grants
Deadline: Rolling
“Supported media types include opera, dance, music, museum exhibits, interactive games, smartphone apps, ebooks, web-native video, conferences, art and science festivals, and other cultural events. Grantmaking focuses on taking advantage of unique opportunities to incorporate scientific content or themes into public programs and extending the reach of science-themed content to new audiences and demographics.”
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The Virtual Reality Venture Capital Alliance
Deadline: Rolling
“We invest in Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Mixed reality startups of any size from anywhere around the world. We meet six times a year with our base of operations out of Beijing and San Francisco. Our network spans the entire globe, so it doesn’t matter where you are, as long as you are doing something game-changing, we want to help you realize your dream. We are not searching for the next technology revolution because it is already here. We are searching for the next entrepreneur to lead it.”
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Expired 2018 Grants
Documentary
Screen Australia: Documentary Development
Deadline: August 17, 2018
“Some participants attending the workshops will come from the documentary departments of the broadcasters or from institutions defending, promoting and funding documentary productions. This will fulfill a long-lasting objective, that of decompartmentalisation of relations between producers, broadcasters and funding partners. These participants greatly contribute to the work of the group. Being in contact with their future partners, understanding their points of view and constraints can be very enlightening to the producers.
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California Documentary Project Grant
Deadline: October 15, 2018
“The California Documentary Project (CDP) is a competitive grant program of California Humanities that supports documentary film, radio, and new media productions that enhance our understanding of California and its cultures, peoples, and histories. Projects should use the humanities to provide context, depth, and perspective and be suitable for California and national audiences through broadcast and/or distribution. CDP grants support documentary projects at the research and development and production stages and grant amounts range from $10,000 to $50,000. A cash or in-kind match is required. California residency is not a requirement for eligibility.”
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Pacific Pioneer Fund
Deadline: December 1, 2018
“To support emerging documentary filmmakers. The term “emerging” is intended to denote a person committed to the craft of making documentaries, who has demonstrated that commitment by several years—but no more than ten—of practical film or video experience.”
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Film Independent Documentary Lab
Deadline: December 3, 2018
“Through a series of meetings and workshops, the Documentary Lab provides creative feedback and story notes to participating filmmakers, while helping them to strategize for the completion, distribution, and marketing of their films.”
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MountainFilm Commitment Grant
Deadline: July 20, 2018
“Mountainfilm is committed to help creative individuals tell stories that support our mission. Each year, we award a total of $30,000 in grants to filmmakers, photographers, artists and adventurers whose projects are intended to inspire audiences to create a better world. Interested parties should apply if they’re creating a work that can be presented in a theater, gallery or on television and online. ”
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POV: Call for Entries
Deadline: July 15, 2018
“POV, public television’s premier showcase for independent, nonfiction film seeks programs from all perspectives to showcase in its annual PBS series. All subjects, aesthetic approaches and lengths are welcomed.”
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The Southern Documentary Fund North Carolina Grant
Deadline: July 31, 2018
“Applicants must live in North Carolina, or their story must take place in North Carolina. Grants range from $1000 to $5000.”
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Visions Sud Est Fund
Deadline: July 31, 2018
“The Swiss fund Visions Sud Est was initiated by the Foundation trigon-film Baden and the Fribourg Film Festival, with the collaboration of Nyon’s Visions du Reel and the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. It supports film productions from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe, aims at making them visible worldwide and guarantees their distribution in Switzerland. ”
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Film Independent Directing Lab
Deadline: August 13, 2018
“An intensive eight-week fellowship for directors who are prepping their independent feature films.”
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NEH Media Production Grants
Deadline: August 15, 2018
“The Media Projects program supports film, television, and radio projects that engage general audiences with humanities ideas in creative and appealing ways. All projects must be grounded in humanities scholarship in disciplines such as history, art history, film studies, literature, drama, religious studies, philosophy, or anthropology.”
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NEH Media Development Grants
Deadline: August 15, 2018
“The Media Projects program supports film, television, and radio projects that engage general audiences with humanities ideas in creative and appealing ways. All projects must be grounded in humanities scholarship in disciplines such as history, art history, film studies, literature, drama, religious studies, philosophy, or anthropology.”
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The Alter-Ciné Foundation
Deadline: August 15, 2018
“Every year, the Foundation awards a grant of 10,000 Canadian dollars and a few 5,000 Canadian dollars grants to some filmmakers to assist in the production of a documentary project. The grant is aimed at young video and filmmakers born and living in Africa, Asia or Latin America who want to direct a film in the language of their choice that respects the aims of the Foundation, as explained above.”
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Hot Docs: Blue Ice Group Documentary Development and/or Production Fund
Deadline: August 17, 2018
“The Hot Docs-Blue Ice Group Documentary Fund (HDBI) offers grants in two separate categories Development and Production. Approximately four to 10 projects are awarded each year. All successful applications will be considered for the up to five mentorship program slots, and select applicants will be invited to apply to The New York Times—Op-Docs under the Hot Docs-Blue Ice Group Documentary Fund banner.”
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Independent Television Series Open Call
Deadline: July 31, 2018
“We’re looking for exceptional storytelling that’s in line with our mission: stories that take risks, tackle important issues, and are seldom seen in public media. We know how hard you’ve worked on your project, and we’ll partner with you to help you finish it, then distribute it on public television.”
Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship
Deadline: October 9, 2018
“The Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship was launched in 2013 as a new component of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. It provides opportunities for U.S. citizens to participate in an academic year of overseas travel and digital storytelling in one, two, or three countries on a globally significant theme. This Fellowship is made possible through a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the National Geographic Society.”
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California Documentary Project Grant
Deadline: October 15, 2018
“CDP Research and Development grants are designed to strengthen the humanities content and approach of documentary media productions in their earliest stages. Projects must actively involve at least three humanities advisors to help frame and contextualize subject matter throughout the research and development phase.”
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Screen Australia’s Documentary Development
Deadline: October 26, 2018
“Screen Australia’s Documentary Development program assists documentary makers to achieve planned outcomes for the development of their projects.”
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Frameline Completion Fund
Deadline: October 31, 2018
“This program seeks to provide a much-needed source of financial contributions to artists who often struggle to secure funding to complete their works. Grants up to $5,000 are available for the completion of films that represent and reflect LGBTQ life in all its complexity and richness.”
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EURODOC 2018
Deadline: November 13, 2018
“Some participants attending the workshops will come from the documentary departments of the broadcasters or from institutions defending, promoting and funding documentary productions. This will fulfill a long-lasting objective, that of decompartmentalisation of relations between producers, broadcasters and funding partners. These participants greatly contribute to the work of the group. Being in contact with their future partners, understanding their points of view and constraints can be very enlightening to the producers.
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The Miller / Packan Film Fund 2019
Deadline: November 15, 2018
“The Miller / Packan Film Fund supports documentaries that Educate, Inspire and Enrich. The Fund is financed through the Rogovy Foundation. We believe in the transformational power that comes from enlightening narratives and inspiring characters.”
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The Film Fund
Deadline: December 2, 2018
“Starting out as an independent filmmaker, I found myself struggling to raise financing and find resources for my film projects. It appeared that those who already had industry experience or access to better resources and crew dominated most contests and funding opportunities.” – Thomas Verdi, Founder and CEO
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Film Independent Documentary Lab
Deadline: December 3, 2018
“Through a series of meetings and workshops, the Documentary Lab provides creative feedback and story notes to participating filmmakers, while helping them to strategize for the completion, distribution, and marketing of their films.
Narrative
Flies Collective Film Grant
Deadline: June 30,2018
“Brooklyn-based production company Flies Collective has opened submissions for its second annual film grant, which aims to support emerging filmmakers telling original stories.The 2018 grant will award $15,000 to emerging filmmakers. Applicants will be chosen based on their storytelling, and submissions are open but not limited to narrative, documentary, experimental, and short films. Submissions will be accepted until June 30, with winners being announced on September 1.”
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Glas Animation Grant Program
Deadline: June 30, 2018
“For the first round of grants there will be two separate $2500 grants to be awarded to two individual filmmakers living and working in the United States to create independent animated short films.”
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World Cinema Fund Production Funding
Deadline: July 6, 2018
“Together with the Federal Foundation for Culture and in cooperation with the Goethe Institute, the Foreign Ministry and German producers, the World Cinema Fund works to develop and support cinema in regions with a weak film infrastructure, while fostering cultural diversity in German cinemas. The World Cinema Fund supports films that could not be made without additional funding: films that stand out with an unconventional aesthetic approach, that tell powerful stories and transmit an authentic image of their cultural roots.”
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The Hubert Bals Fund: Script & Project Development Support
Deadline: August 1, 2018
“A Script and Project Development grant can be used for the further development of a script (e.g. research, writing, translation or hiring a coach or script consultant), but can also be used to present a project to financiers or other potential partners at (international) co-production meetings or film festivals. The maximum contribution for Script and Project Development is €10,000.”
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The Arab Fund for Arts and Culture: Cinema Grant
Deadline August 1, 2018
“As part of its 2018 general grants program, AFAC is pleased to launch the open call for applications in the category of cinema, starting May 1st and until August 1st, 2018. AFAC’s cinema grants are open to all kinds of fiction film projects – shorts, medium- and feature-length, animation, essay, hybrid, experimental and others. AFAC offers funding for the development, production and post-production phases.”
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Film Independent Project Involve
Deadline August 13, 2018
“Project Involve is a free, intensive, nine-month annual program that offers 30 up-and-coming film professionals from under-represented communities the opportunity to hone skills, form creative partnerships, utilize free or low-cost production resources and ultimately gain the industry access necessary to succeed as working artists.”
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Crossroads Co-production Forum
Deadline: August 30, 2018
“CROSSROADS‘ goal is to support the producers of feature-length fiction film projects that contain a link to the Mediterranean and Balkan regions. Qualifying features will be produced or co-produced by a country in this area or are movies that contain story elements based in this region.”
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Moving Image Institute Filmmaker Grants
Deadline: August 24, 2018
“The Moving Picture Institute’s Rising Filmmaker Program awards grants to filmmakers who are committed to developing and producing marketable projects about human freedom. We have supported the careers of over 100 producers, directors, editors, and screenwriters grantees. Participants receive financial support for their work, work closely with mentors, and take part in workshops and masterclasses.”
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The Player’s Network Cannabis Media Grant
Deadline: August 31, 2018
“The Player’s Network Cannabis Media Grant supports the creation of cannabis related content that showcases a forward thinking view in the cannabis industry. The Player’s Network Cannabis Media Grant seeks heartfelt documentaries, short films, features, and web series that reveal how cannabis has benefited and changed people’s lives…From the Heart Productions is able to offer the Player’s Network Cannabis Media Grant thanks to the support and a generous donation from the Player’s Network.”
Sundance Youtube New Voices Lab
Deadline: October 10, 2018
“In collaboration with YouTube, the Sundance Institute | YouTube New Voices Lab supports a group of 10 creators (or co-creator teams), developing scripted digital series. The program begins with a four-day Lab, where Fellows participate in creative workshops led by notable Sundance Advisors to develop their storytelling skills. Later, the Fellows participate in a two-day Lab in Los Angeles, where they work with writers, showrunners and producers to hone their projects through one-on-one story meetings, writers rooms, and group conversations about production, post-production, and marketing.”
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Tribeca Film Institute All Access
Deadline: November 19, 2018
“Tribeca All Access® seeks feature-length narrative and documentary submissions from established and emerging filmmakers whose team includes a director, producer or screenwriter from a community that is statistically underrepresented in the film industry. Projects may be in any stage of development, from treatment/screenplay to post-production. Projects of any genre and or budget range are welcome to apply.”
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Tribeca Film Institute Sloan Filmmaker Fund
Deadline: November 6, 2016
“The TFI Sloan Filmmaker Fund provides grants and professional guidance in support of innovative and compelling scripted features or series that offer a fresh take on scientific, mathematic and technological themes. In addition to financial support, grantees will receive professional guidance and mentorship through the Tribeca Film Institute, as dictated by the unique needs and status of the project and the level of experience of the filmmaking team. This ancillary support may include project notes, networking assistance, and exposure to financing and distribution executives.”
Screenwriting
Slamdance Writing Competition
Deadline: (Late) July 23, 2018
“The Slamdance Screenplay Competition is dedicated to discovering emerging writing talent. Since 1995 our organization has established a strong track record for identifying and supporting new screenwriters. We welcome screenplays in every genre, on any topic, from anywhere in the world. We provide basic feedback for every entrant and we also offer in depth coverage services.”
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BAFTA Rocliffe Writing For Children Call
Deadline: July 18, 2018
“A fantastic Industry showcase at BAFTA’s London HQ with professional actors and directors, industry introductions, access to bespoke masterclasses, an in depth script report on your complete screenplay, a featured spot on the Forum List and a tailored career planning and profile building session to provide support in navigating the industry.”
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ScreenCraft Short Film Production Fund
Deadline: August 1, 2018
“ScreenCraft is offering two production grants per year to talented filmmakers for narrative features, short films and TV pilot series scripts and documentaries that display originality, vision & exceptional potential.”
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American Zoetrope Screenplay Contest
Deadline: September 1, 2018
“The mission of the American Zoetrope Screenplay Contest is to find and promote new and innovative voices in cinema. Every script is read closely by a select handful of professional readers, and Francis Ford Coppola selects a grand prize–winner from among the top ten finalists. The grand prize–winner receives a cash prize. The scripts of all top ten finalists are sent by Zoetrope to leading production companies and talent agencies for consideration.”
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BAFTA Rocliffe Film Call
Deadline: September 26, 2018
“The finalists receive a selection of fantastic prizes, including an industry showcase at BAFTA. But unlike other initiatives with thousands of entries, our more personal approach also gets the finalist and Forum List entries directly in front of execs, agents and producers at our selection panels and juries. To be selected as a finalist, your entry has to have been read and recommended at least four times. That’s a lot of eyes on your work and it’s before we even announce the winners!”
The Illinois Arts Council Agency Artist Fellowship Program
Deadline: October 15, 2018
“The intent of the Artist Fellowship Program is to enrich and strengthen the state of Illinois by supporting accomplished Illinois artists who are the foundation of Illinois’ creative environment. The Artist Fellowship Program recognizes exceptional artists who have created a substantial body of work throughout their career by providing awards to support continued artistic growth.
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Screencraft: Action & Thriller Script Contest
Deadline: October 25, 2018
“Our jury is looking for emerging voices in the action movie genre! Whether you have a tense thriller or a big, effects-driven action film, we want to read your screenplay. Professional feedback from studio-trained readers is available on all entries.”
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NBC Universal Writers Program
Deadline: October 31, 2018
“The Universal Writers Program identifies up-and-coming and experienced screenwriters with unique points of view that build upon the Studio’s commitment to telling stories and creating films that reflect the vast diversity of our audiences.”
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Cinequest Screenwriting Competition
Deadline: November 2, 2018
“The Cinequest Screenwriting Competition continues to empower global connectivity between screenwriters, filmmakers, producers, and innovators. Cinequest loves writers, and we welcome you to submit your screenplay or teleplay to our renowned competition. The Top 10 Finalists receive many empowering benefits including: VIP All Access passes to the Cinequest Film Festival and exclusive Writers Celebration, plus exposure to leading industry players and inspiring luminaries.”
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Screencraft: Film Fund Grant Program – Fall 2018
Deadline: December 1, 2018
“Whether you have a simple screenplay or a film that’s already in production, we want to consider it for our grant program. We consider a range of projects, from standalone screenplays, to fully packaged projects seeking finishing funds.”
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Screencraft: Short Story Contest
Deadline: December 16, 2018
“Our jury is looking for short stories (not scripts) with special cinematic potential. Whether you’re writing flash fiction or a novella, we want to read your story! The grand prize winner will receive $1,000 and personal introductions to literary agents, managers, producers and publishers.”
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Screencraft: Family Friendly Scripts
Deadline: December 30, 2018
“Families are the most influential moviegoing audience, yet there’s a surprising lack of high-quality films that appeal to the WHOLE family. This contest avoids the genre-bias of some other contests by seeking exclusively screenplays that are life-affirming stories of faith, courage, hope and love. ”
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Cassian Elwes Independent Screenwriting Fellowship
Deadline: December 30, 2018
“The Cassian Elwes Independent Screenwriting Fellowship is an annual program designed to encourage and identify new talent in the field of independent cinema by awarding one screenwriter each year with an all-expenses paid trip to the Sundance Film Festival and an opportunity to meet with Producer Cassian Elwes (Lee Daniels’ The Butler, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints).”
Women & Underrepresented
Independent Television Service – Diversity Development Fund
Deadline: August 6, 2018
“DDF gives producers of color up to $15,000 in research and development funding so you can develop your documentary for air on public television. Pre-production nonfiction projects only.”
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Black Public Media: 360 Incubator + Fund
Deadline: August 13, 2018
“360 Incubator+ is a Black Public Media (BPM) funding initiative devised to help launch non-fiction broadcast and digital projects about the Black experience. 360 Incubator+Fund features training and support, for producers of color, designed to harvest and pipeline important, engaging stories.”
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Puffin Foundation Grant
Opens September 1, 2018
“The Puffin Foundation Grant hopes to encourage emerging artists whose works, due to their genre and/or social philosophy might have difficulty being aired.”
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Resist General Support Grant
Deadline September 8, 2018
“General Support Grants are available for up to $4,000 to support groups who are building movements for justice and liberation and resisting systemic oppression through grassroots/cultural organizing, art-making and resilience building.”
WIFV: Carolyn’s First Decade Fund
Deadline: November 17, 2016
“Carolyn’s First Decade Fund was established in memory of long-time WIFV member and documentary filmmaker Carolyn Projansky as a way to honor her passion for visual storytelling, commitment to education and dedication to mentoring young filmmakers. Carolyn’s First Decade Fund is designed to help advance the careers of individuals in their first decade of working as media professionals and provide them with access to continuing skills development and to the larger film community.”
Virtual Reality & Interactive
Stereopsia’s Lumiere Awards
Deadline: September 1, 2018
“On behalf of the Advanced Imaging Society based in Hollywood, CA, Stereopsia organizes – for the 7th consecutive year – the competitions for the “Lumiere Awards” for the territory consisting of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). The golden statuettes are awarded to the best 3D contents for 3D cinema, 3DTV, and 3D cinematic VR.”
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In case you want to find even more grants, here are a few great resources we found while compiling this list:
- List of Grants for Women Filmmakers & Screenwriters
- A Massive List of Summer 2018 Grants All Filmmakers Should Know About
- IFP’s Guide to Granting Organizations
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KitSplit Gift Certificates are another great way to help with a film’s budget.
