grants, fellowships and scholarships
Texas Based Grants
Austin Film society grants
Annual awards are provided emerging film and video artists in Texas whose work shows promise, skill and creativity. Grant recipients have shown their films at renowned festivals like Sundance, Berlin, Cannes, Toronto, Tribeca, Venice, Rotterdam and SXSW and have been nominated for Gotham Awards, won Independent Spirit Awards and Student Academy Awards. In addition to grants for production, post-production and distribution, the Austin Film Society provide cash stipends to Texas filmmakers traveling to prestigious film festivals through its AFS Travel Grant program.
Website: https://www.austinfilm.org/afs-grants/afs-grants-overview/
city of Austin creative content incentive program
The City of Austin offers incentives to qualifying film, television, video game, and visual effects projects equal to 0.50% of wages paid to local workers. Projects produced by an Austin-based company or which significantly promote Austin may be eligible for an additional 0.25% incentive for a total incentive of 0.75%.
el paso museums & cultural affairs department (mcad) local filmmaker grant
MCAD will begin accepting applications for the new Local Filmmaker Program. This new funding program for local filmmakers to create development opportunities for locally directed and produced films. The LFP will become part of MCAD’s Cultural Funding Program.Local filmmakers interested in applying for funding through this program will be required to attend a mandatory orientation session in order to apply.
Sam Houston Southwest Film Investment Fund Development Financing
This fund looks for films that have a final script prepared and are looking to move closer to pre- production. The films must have a “named director” and “named actor/actress” to indicate its marketability. It focuses on producers.
Website: http://samhoustonswfilmfund.com/development-financing
Supplemental San Antonio Film Incentive Program
Established to assist in the attraction of film and television production to San Antonio. A potential 7.5% rebate on eligible Texas spending will be given back to productions filmed in San Antonio.
San Antonio Local Filmmaker Grant
Aimed at supporting filmmakers local to San Antonio, this is a competitive, matching funds grant that awards a total of $25,000 to local filmmakers for their projects. The goal of the grant is to help cultivate the work and professional development of San Antonio residents in the film industry – in turn elevating and promoting the film culture of San Antonio. The Local Filmmaker Grant is an annual program that awards $5,000 matching funds grants to five local artists who show talent and promise in the field of film.
Texas Commission on the Arts: Young Masters Program
This program awards grants to talented young artists, Texas 8th to 11th grade students (or homeschooled students who have achieved a comparable status towards high school graduation) who are legal US and Texas residents, to further their studies in their chosen field. This grant is not a college scholarship. The most talented young artists will receive the title of Young Master and will be awarded grants of $5,000 per year (up to two years) to further their studies in their chosen arts disciplines.
Website: http://www.arts.texas.gov/initiatives/young-masters/
Women in Film Dallas 2020 SUZANNE DOOLEY SCHOLARSHIP
The WIFD Suzanne Dooley College Tuition Scholarship is awarded to a full time woman college student studying film, television or a digital media program at a College/University. The WIFD Board of Directors (BOD) makes the final selection of the recipient. The Scholarship will be paid directly to the recipient’s College/University. The award amount is determined by the WIFD BOD presiding over the scholarship’s cycle calendar year. Only one (Qty. 1) application per applicant per calendar year is permitted. Announcement of the recipient will take place during the WIFD Film Festival, or another WIFD event — as determined by the WIFD Board. The recipient is expected to be present. Deadline is July 1st, 2020.
national Grants- Narrative (film & TV)
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: Film Watch
FilmWatch grants support curated screening programs at North America-based film festivals, film societies and other film-related organizations. Targeted programs include those that create culturally diverse viewing experiences, promote motion pictures as an art form, provide a platform for underrepresented artists, and cultivate new and dedicated audiences for theatrical film.
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: Film Craft
FilmCraft grants support high-quality educational programs that identify and empower future filmmakers from nontraditional backgrounds. Targeted programs include those that encourage an appreciation of film as both a vocation and an art form, and those that provide direct, hands-on opportunities for participants to gain the filmmaking skills they need to tell their stories.
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: Academy Film Scholars
Academy Film Scholars grants are awarded to scholars (both academically affiliated and non-affiliated) to support significant new works of film scholarship.
Website: http://www.oscars.org/education-grants/academy-film-scholars
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES SHORT Grants
The Short Documentaries program supports the production and distribution of documentary films up to 30 minutes that engage audiences with humanities ideas in appealing ways. The program aims to extend the humanities to new audiences through the medium of short documentary films. Films must be grounded in humanities scholarship in disciplines such as history, art history, literature, religious studies, philosophy, or anthropology. The Short Documentaries program supports production of single films or a series of thematically-related short films addressing significant figures, events, or ideas. Programs should be intended for regional or national distribution, via broadcast, festivals, and/or online distribution. The subject of the film(s) must be related to “A More Perfect Union”: NEH Special Initiative Advancing Civic Education and Commemorating the Nation’s 250th Anniversary."
Website: https://www.neh.gov/grants/listing/short-documentaries
Website: https://www.neh.gov/grants/public/media-projects-production-grants
Website: https://www.neh.gov/grants/public/media-projects-development-grants
CineMart Eurimages Co-Production Development Award
The Eurimages Co-Production Development Award is an annual award and a prize of €20,000 given to one of the selected CineMart projects that is, or will be a European co-production.
Website: https://iffr.com/en/professionals/about-iffr/awards/eurimages-award
CineMart Arte International Prize
The ARTE International Prize (€6,000) is an award given to the producer of the best CineMart project, to support its financial development. With this award, ARTE France Cinéma and CineMart hope to contribute to the development and production of independent filmmaking.
Website: https://iffr.com/en/professionals/about-iffr/awards/arte-international-prize
CineMart Wouter Barendrecht Award
A prize of €5,000 is awarded by CineMart in conjunction with the Wouter Barendrecht Film Foundation. Eligible for the Wouter Barendrecht Award are directors under 35 with a project selected for CineMart, and who so far have directed three films or less.
Website: https://iffr.com/en/professionals/about-iffr/awards/wouter-barendrecht-award
Creative Capital
Creative Capital helps artists realize specific projects while building their capacity to sustain their careers for the long-term. An artist must be a U.S. citizen, at least 25 years of age, at least 5 years of professional experience, and not a full-time student. CC provides financial and advisory support to artists in the disciplines of emerging fields, film/video, literature, performing arts, and visual arts. This program works in a seven year cycle.
Website: www.creative-capital.org/apply
The David Ross Fetzer Foundation for Emerging Artists
Designed for U.S. filmmakers of 35 or under, the Foundation will be awarding 3 narrative film grants and 1 theatre grant in partnership with SLAC. The film grants consist of either dollar grants ($5000), or gear grants (valued at $10,000) donated by Film Xchange. Grantees also receive mentorship from experienced filmmakers, including in past years Sundance film festival participants Dustin Guy Defa (Person to Person) and Kenny Riches (The Strongest Man). See the website’s Film Grant page for more information.
Dean Film and Video Grants
The Roy W. Dean Grants support film and video projects that are unique and benefit society. The grants primarily provide goods and services donated by companies in the film and video industry. These grants are available for shorts and low budget independents as well as documentary filmmakers. The program also sponsors nonprofit projects to help filmmaker find tax-deductible donations.
Website: http://fromtheheartproductions.com/roy-w-dean-film-grants-and-awards/
Digital Bolex Grant for Women Cinematographers
The Digital Bolex awards a loan of $10,000 worth of gear and accessories for short films, music videos, or features with a woman works as the DP.
Website: http://www.digitalbolex.com/grant/
Film Independent Grants and awards
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Film Independent Grants & Awards allow filmmakers to advance their current projects and help recognize professional accomplishments in independent film
Website: https://www.filmindependent.org/programs/grants-and-awards/
Film Independent Sloan Distribution Grant
This $50,000 grant is awarded to a nearly completed (or finished) narrative film with a leading character that is a scientist, engineer or a mathematician.
Website: https://www.filmindependent.org/programs/grants-and-awards/sloan-distribution-grant/
The Fledgling Fund for Documentary Film Outreach and Engagement
The Fledgling Fund will support outreach and audience engagement strategies for an average $10,000 to $25,000 if your film has the potential to make a difference when it comes to an important issue.
Ford Foundation’s JustFilms Grant Program
JustFilms focuses on film, video and digital works that highlight social justice issues. Initiative funds will be distributed through two distinct paths, Content and Field Leadership. The Content Grant is given to artist-driven film and new media projects that highlight social justice issues, while the Field Leadership Grant will be given to projects that will strengthen and provide new resources in the field.
Website: http://www.fordfoundation.org/work/our-grants/justfilms/justfilms-inquiry/
Frameline’s Film Completion Fund
The program provides financial contributions to filmmakers to secure funding to complete their works. Submissions are being accepted for documentary, educational, narrative, animated or experimental projects about LGBTQ people and their communities. Films dealing with LGBTQ themes are eligible for​
up to $5,000 worth of grants.
Website: https://www.frameline.org/year-round/filmmaker-support/completion-fund
Game Changer Films
Provide production financing for narrative features directed by women.
Website: http://gamechanger-films.com/
The Hubert Bals Fund
An initiative from the prestigious International Film Festival Rotterdam dedicated to funding work by filmmakers from developing countries. The Hubert Bals Fund is designed to help remarkable or urgent feature films by innovative and talented filmmakers from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Eastern Europe at all stages of completion, including early project development to post production.
ITVS Open Call Funding
Open Call provides completion funds for single nonfiction public television programs on any subject from any viewpoint. Projects must have begun production and is only available to independent producers who are citizens or legal residents of the United States.
Website: http://itvs.org/funding/open-call/how
Japan Foundation New York Grant for Arts and Culture
This grant accepts applications for projects from non-profit organizations that take place within the 37 states east of Rocky Mountains to support projects that will further understanding of Japanese arts and culture. Priority will be given to those projects that have secured additional funding from sources other than the Japan Foundation. Successful project can receive up to $5,000.
Website: https://www.jfny.org/grants/grants/
New York women in film & television fund for women filmmakers
This grant for $7,500 will be awarded to a woman filmmaker for a film on physical or developmental disability issues. Directors and producers are eligible to apply.
Website: https://www.nywift.org/fund-for-women-filmmakers/
Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation’s (“MAAF”) On Screen/In Person program provides opportunities for independent filmmakers to tour throughout the mid-Atlantic region with their recent films and foster greater understanding and appreciation of their work through direct audience engagement. Animation, experimental, documentary, and narrative films on any subject are accepted for consideration.
MountainFilm Commitment Grant
The MountainFilm Commitment grant will support up to five filmmakers a year with $5,000. To qualify for this grant you must be a working on a documentary that touches on mountain culture or the environment.
Website: https://www.mountainfilm.org/initiatives/commitment-grants
National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts, has grants to support the development, production, and/or distribution of innovated projects to show media as art or media about the arts. Media arts includes screen-based and print projects presented via film, television, radio, audio, video, the Internet, interactive and mobile technologies, video game consoles, and transmedia storytelling, as well as media- related print.
Oppenheimer New Filmmaker Equipment Grant
This grant is designed to support new filmmakers in producing their first serious film project. It provides filmmakers with a camera package for their 16mm projects. Proposed projects may be of any non- commercial nature: dramatic, narrative, documentary, or experimental.
Website: www.oppenheimercinerental.com/grant.html
Panavision’s New Filmmaker Program
Panavision’s New Filmmaker Program is an ongoing grant program that loans filmmakers working on low budget productions with equipment at little or no charge.
Website: www.panavision.com/new-filmmaker-program
PIC (Pacific Islanders in Communication): Public Media Content Fund
The mission of Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC) is to support, advance and develop media content that results in a deeper understanding of Pacific Island history, culture and society. In keeping with the mission, PIC provides funding in various ways for content intended for public media distribution that brings new audiences to public media, advance issues and represents diverse voices and points of view not seen anywhere else.
Website: www.piccom.org/pages/get-funded
POV: Call for Entries
POV, the public television’s premier showcase for independent, nonfiction film, is looking for programs of all perspectives to showcase in its annual PBS series. They welcome all subjects, styles, methods, and lengths. They are offering a competitive sum for broadcast destitution of films each season.
Website: http://cfe.pov.org/index.php
Points North Institute Artist programs
Our Artist Programs are designed to bring together filmmakers, artists, industry leaders and local audiences, forming a creative community on the coast of Maine that nurtures the careers of diverse nonfiction storytellers and helps them develop a stronger artistic voice.
Rooftop Filmmakers Fund
Funding for any filmmaker who has ever screened a film at Rooftop Films in NY. Three grants are available each year that range from cash awards and mentorships for short films. For feature films, six grants are available for equipment, post production, and production
ASF has partnered with Rooftop Films to support the artistic achievements of female actors, writers and directors and provided a $3,000 grant to one female director for their short film work.
Website: http://www.rooftopfilms.com/filmmaker/#filmfund
Rooftop Films/ Adrienne Shelly Foundation Short Film Grant for Women
ASF has partnered with Rooftop Films to support the artistic achievements of female actors, writers and directors and provided a $3,000 grant to one female director for their short film work.
Website: http://adrienneshellyfoundation.org/how-to-apply/
ScreenCraft Film Fund Grant Program
If your aspirations are solely to become a produced screenwriter, you can rely on ScreenCraft and BondIt to package the winning script with a talented director and in-house production resources with up to $30,000 in cash financing, judged on a case-by-case basis, depending on each project’s budget and needs as determined by our internal jury of industry professionals. In partnership with BondIt Media Capital, a film & media fund based in Beverly Hills, 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. Grant amounts will vary from $10,000 to $30,000 depending on the scale and merit of each project. This program includes creative development from the ScreenCraft team and production guidance and resources from BondIt Media Capital and Buffalo 8 Productions.
Website: https://screencraft.org/fund/
Sloan Research Grants
Throughout the year, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation provides grants for filmmakers on a case-by-case basis. The foundation will determine if a project qualifies for the funding as projects about the creative or performing arts are not eligible unless related to educating the public about science, technology, or economics. To see if a project qualifies, a letter of inquiry must be submitted to the director of the Public Understanding of Science, Technology & Economics. After they are contacted by the director, a grant proposal must be submitted.
Sundance Documentary Fund
The Sundance Institute Documentary Fund supports the work of nonfiction filmmakers from around the globe. In a changing media landscape, the fund has been a stable, progressive force in supporting work that has expressed the world in creative, complex, beautiful, and provocative ways, and has created real cultural and social impact around some of the most pressing issues of our time. We accept feature-length (52 minutes or more) nonfiction projects. The fund is open to projects and film teams from around the world.
Website: http://www.sundance.org/programs/documentary-film/#grants
Sundance Preservation Fund
The Sundance Preservation Fund was established to help protect and preserve independent stories, which are vital to both the history of independent storytelling and the heritage of Sundance Institute. The Fund provides grants to support preservation and restoration efforts of Sundance-supported projects and empower independent storytellers with resources to develop a sustainable long-term preservation strategy. Preference is given to projects at risk of loss with urgent preservation needs as well as artistic, historical, cultural, or educational significance.
Women in Film Finishing Fund
The Women in Film Foundation’s Film Finishing Fund (WIFF FFF) supports films by, for or about women by providing cash grants of up to $15,000 and in-kind services. To qualify a film must have 90% of its principal photography completed and have a finished rough cut.
Website: http://womeninfilm.org/film-finishing-fund/
World Cinema Fund
The World Cinema Fund supports films which 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. The support is focused on the following regions: Latin America, Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, Southeast Asia and the Caucasus. Production and distribution grants are available.
Website: http://www.berlinale.de/en/branche/world_cinema_fund/wcf_profil/index.html
national Grants- documentary (film & TV)
CAAM Documentary Fund
The CAAM Documentary Fund provides production funding to independent producers who make engaging Asian American works for public television. Documentaries are eligible for production or post-production funding and must be intended for public television broadcast. Awards typically range between $15,000 and $50,000.
Website: http://caamedia.org/for-mediamakers/funding/
Catapult Film Fund
The 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 from production fundraising purposes. CFF’s mission is to enable filmmakers to develop their film projects to the next level. Grants range from $5,000-$20,000.
Website: catapultfilmfund.org/
Derek Freese Documentary Fund
Derek Freese Documentary Fund (DFDF) provides production support for feature-length documentary films that have both a strong narrative and compelling story across a broad spectrum of subject matters. This award is given biennially (every other year) to an independent filmmaker and provides up to $35,000 in finishing funds.
Website: https://www.derekfreesefilm.org/
Dorothea Lange-Paul Taylor Prize
The Lange-Taylor Prize is intended to support artists, working alone or in teams, who are engaged in extended, ongoing fieldwork projects that fully exploit the relationship of words and images in the powerful, persuasive representation of a subject. The prize is not awarded for completed projects or to support the production of a book, exhibit, website, or other outcomes. The winner receives $10,000, features in Center for Documentary Studies’ digital publications, and inclusion in the Archive of Documentary Arts at Rubenstein Library, Duke University.
Website: https://documentarystudies.duke.edu/awards/lange-taylor
Gucci Tribeca Films Documentary Fund
Grants finishing funds for documentaries that highlight human issues from around the world. Intended for films in production or post product production and are eligible for funds from $10,000-$25,000. Funded films will be driven by thoughtful and in-depth storytelling, bolstered by a compelling visual approach.
Website: https://www.tfiny.org/programs/detail/gucci_tribeca_documentary_fund
IDFA Bertha Fund
The IDFA Bertha Fund is the only fund in the world dedicated solely to stimulating and empowering the creative documentary sector in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Eastern Europe. The fund is looking for new creative documentary projects which can be submitted in project development, production, and post production.
Independent Lens
When selecting programs, Independent Lens considers a range of factors, including the quality of the filmmaking, the timeliness of the story, and audience appeal. Programs should offer a fresh perspective, especially if the topic has been explored on other PBS series. Independent Lens seeks to present the U.S. television broadcast premiere, however we will consider a work of special merit that has had very limited television exposure. Independent Lens does not accept instructional films, performance pieces, docudramas, reenactments, and programs with content better suited for another PBS series.
Website: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/about/submissions/
ITVS Diversity Development Fund
The DDF funds are used for research and development funding to producers of color to develop single documentary programs for public television. ITVS is looking for single public television programs on any subject, viewpoint or style. Funded activities, of $15,000, may include travel, research, script development, preliminary production for fundraising/work-in-progress reels, or other early phase activities. DDF will not accept projects solely looking distribution for theatrical release only.
Website: www.itvs.org/funding/ddf
Jerome Foundation Artist Fellowship
The Jerome Foundation is pleased to announce the first round of a new Artist Fellowship program that offers flexible, two-year grants to support the creative development of early-career generative artists in the state of Minnesota and the five boroughs of New York City. Artists may apply individually or together with other members of ongoing collectives or ensembles.
Website: https://www.jeromefdn.org/jerome-hill-artist-fellowships
Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund
The Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund will provide annual production grants totaling $195,000 for the creation of original, independent documentary films that illuminate pressing issues in the United States. Projects should compelling story and focus on one of Pare Lorentz’s central concerns—the appropriate use of the natural environment, justice for all or the illumination of pressing social problems. The fund supports full-length documentary films exhibiting objective research, artful storytelling, strong visual style, and high production values, as well as skillful direction, camerawork and editing. Projects must have completed research and development and be moving onto production or post.
Publishing Historical Records in Documentary Editions
Supports projects that promote the preservation and use of America's documentary heritage essential to understanding our democracy, history, and culture. Its goal is to provide access to historical documents that can be used to tell an American story. Projects may highlight one person of historical significance in American history or about a movement in politics, military, business, social reform, the arts, and other aspects of the national experience.
Website: https://www.archives.gov/nhprc/announcement/editions.html
The Rogovy Foundation: Miller/Packan Documentary Funding
Awarded bi-annually, the Fund awards grants totaling $200,000 to between six and twelve documentary film projects per year. The Foundation funds projects that are transformational, with enlightening narratives and inspiring characters. It supports documentary film as an instrument for change, delivering greater knowledge, compassion and awareness. The Miller / Packan Film Fund provides grants to feature-length non-fiction projects that address social issues and inspire others. The Fund supports filmmaking in advanced development (up to $10,000), production and post-production stages (up to $25,000).
Website: https://www.filmdaily.tv/grants/miller-packan-documentary-film-fund
MountainFilm Commitment Grants
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 and artists whose projects are intended to inspire audiences to create a better world. We seek projects that will have positive and tangible effects on specific and vital issues. The overarching goal of our granting program is to help ensure that important stories are both told and heard.
Website: https://www.mountainfilm.org/initiatives/commitment-grants
SFFILM Funding
SFFILM Makers offers a wide range of funding and artist development services for fiction and documentary filmmakers all over the world.
Website: https://sffilm.org/artist-development/fund-your-film/
Public Media Content Fund
Vision Maker Media invites proposals for programs intended for Public Television that represent the experiences, values, and cultures of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Projects should be intended for public broadcast but be able to reach a broad audience. Projects can be at any stage to qualify and has the opportunity to receive distribution through Vision Maker Media.
Website: https://www.visionmakermedia.org/fund-your-film/2020-public-media-project-fund