Grants & Opportunities
A curated list of film and media grants, labs, contests and fellowships - updated weekly
Sundance Institute Grants & Opportunities
Other Grants & Opportunities
PERSPECTIVE FUNDING FOR PROJECTS PROMOTING SOCIAL CHANGE
DEADLINE: Rolling Perspective Fund supports a range of projects and organizations that are dedicated to using storytelling for social change, with a focus on documentary-driven efforts. Our current grantmaking falls in two key areas: 1) Documentaries and 2) Infrastructure. Link to inquiry form: https://airtable.com/shreH2NsvdKmX4Sn2
10th Annual Screencraft Screenwriting Fellowship
DEADLINE: March 1 7 days of intensive professional meetings. 3 months of career consultation. A once in a lifetime opportunity.
Adobe Creative Residency Community Fund Creators Impacted by Ukraine
This year, we have witnessed the unprovoked, violent attacks on Ukraine and the tragic loss of innocent lives. As we see continue to see this tragedy unfold, we believe we have a responsibility to support professional creators during the growing humanitarian crisis and refugee situation in the region. We will now be focusing our Community Fund efforts on providing support to those creators who have been directly impacted by the unjustified invasion of Ukraine.
AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange
Black Public Media (BPM) is committed to bringing to the American public dynamic stories that celebrate the art, culture, history and creativity of people of African descent from the US and around the world.
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation New Media Grants
DEADLINE: Rolling Advance public understanding and engagement with science through the support of innovative projects that use a range of media to reach a broad, cross-cultural audience. Grants support both traditional and web-native media that fall outside the other Public Understanding programs.
Artist Opportunities
The Institute hosts a variety of public programs to amplify original voices, inspire new ideas, and rally our community in support of independent storytelling.
Australian Writers Guild Accelerator Program
DEADLINE: February 2 The Australian Writers’ Guild’s The Creators is a career acceleration program for high-calibre mid-career screenwriters to build toward the creation of their own shows.
Behind the Scenes Grants
DEADLINE: Rolling We will accept applications from anyone who has been hospitalized with Covid-19 and is in financial need. Your major source of income must be from your work in the entertainment technology industry, which includes being directly involved with production.
BLACK ARTISTS GRANT
DEADLINE: Rolling The Black Artists Grant (BAG) offered by Creative Debuts as a no-strings attached financial support to help black artists. Applicants must be based in the UK.
CAAM: Mediamaker Support Opportunities
DEADLINE: Rolling Explore all funding and support opportunities offered by the Center for Asian American Media.
CDP NEXTGEN YOUTH MEDIA GRANTS
DEADLINE: March 1 Documentary Project grant program in support of California’s next generation of documentary mediamakers age 18 and under. CDP NextGen invites applications from California-based nonprofit organizations and public agencies, including schools and libraries, with established track records in youth media programming to provide training and support to emerging mediamakers in the creation of short, insightful nonfiction films and/or podcasts that tell original stories about life in California today. Eligible applicants may apply for funding up to $15,000.
CERF+ Emergency Assistance Fund
DEADLINE: Rolling CERF+’s emergency relief grants provide immediate financial assistance to eligible artists working in craft disciplines (such as woodworkers, fiber artists, metalsmiths, glass artists, potters, and furniture makers) after career threatening emergencies. The emergency grants are available to established artists working in craft disciplines including folk and traditional artists.
CID Fiscal Sponsorship and Collaboration
DEADLINE: Rolling CID has been collaborating with independent producers in the creation of independent documentaries for 35 years.
Creator Fund from Kickstarter, Creative Capital & Skoll
DEADLINE: Rolling $500,000 Creative Capital x Skoll Foundation Fund backing projects by Asian, Black, Indigenous, and Latinx creators on the Kickstarter. Effective immediately, funds will be awarded on an ongoing basis to creators with active projects across all of Kickstarter’s categories.
EFM Startups 2023 Application
DEADLINE: January 13 EFM Startups will present innovative, international entrepreneurs working in the area of production, development and distribution in the film and audio-visual media industries at the EFM 2023.
Elevate Collective
Empowering mid- and upper-level disabled screenwriters with the mentorship, coaching and connections they need to level-up their careers.
Entertainment Community Fund: Social Services and Emergency Financial Assistance
DEADLINE: Rolling Our free and confidential social service programs address a wide array of challenges faced by people in performing arts and entertainment. Our professional social workers offer support, counseling and practical help. If you would like to speak with a social worker, please complete our application or contact an office nearest to you.
Erik Barnouw Award For television or or documentary film
DEADLINE: January 7 One or two awards are given annually by the Organization of American Historians in recognition of outstanding programming on television, or in documentary film, concerned with American history, the study of American history, and/or the promotion of American history.
Film Independent Documentary Lab
DEADLINE: January 27 / February 10 for members If you've got a feature documentary at the rough cut stage (or in early post-production in a few exceptional cases), why not apply to Film Independent's mentorship program that includes exposure to industry professionals and year-round mentorship?
Film Independent Episodic Lab 2023
DEADLINE: February 10 Designed to support writers with original long-form episodic projects, Film Independent’s Episodic Lab will accept a diverse group of 6–8 writers or writing teams and provide them with critical support and mentorship. Through personalized feedback from experienced showrunners, creative producers and executives, Fellows will gain the tools to revise and refine their pilots and navigate a changing industry landscape.
Film Independent Fiscal Sponsorship
DEADLINE: Rolling Fiscal sponsorship is an arrangement between an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and an individual or entity lacking the legal status needed to receive grants from foundations, individual donors and government agencies.
Film Independent Sloan Distribution Grant
DEADLINE: Rolling The Sloan Distribution Grant is a $50,000 grant awarded by Film Independent to a film that is entering its distribution phase. Eligible films must depict themes, stories and characters grounded in real science, technology or economics.
Florida Emerging Filmmakers Fund
DEADLINE: Rolling The Florida Emerging Filmmakers Fund provides cash in the amount of $1,000 – $2,000 per project to deserving filmmakers needing help for their film projects. In addition to cash, projects selected for the Emerging Filmmakers Fund will receive mentorship from an industry professional throughout the project.
Ford Foundation Just Film
Rolling Deadline We support artist-driven film and new media storytelling projects that explore aspects of inequality, as well as the organizations and networks that support these projects.
Francis D. Lyon Fellowship
DEADLINE: May 23 The Francis D. Lyon Graduate Fellowship is awarded annually to a graduate student in the field of film making or a closely related field such as theatre/drama, writing or entertainment. Only graduate students are eligible to apply. Membership in Phi Delta Theta is not a requirement. The student is required to be enrolled in a college or university in the United States or Canada. Students of film making will be given first priority for the Lyon Fellowship. Other areas of consideration reflect on talent, academic excellence, and financial need. All applicants must submit a completed application, a work sample and a transcript (student copy will suffice). For more information, or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website.
Funds for Writers: List of Grants
List of filmmaker grants, fellowships, and other opportunities.
Ghetto Film School Fellow Program
DEADLINE: Rolling A free, multi-year visual storytelling course for young artists in New York, Los Angeles, and London.
HBO® and American Black Film Festival Short Film Award
DEADLINE: February 28 The HBO® Short Film Award is regarded as one of the most prestigious short film showcases in the world. Five filmmakers are selected as finalists, one grand prize winner will be presented with the HBO Short Film Award.
Hot Docs: Blue Ice Docs Fund
DEADLINE: November 30 (Must hold citizenship, or have legal permanent residency, and primarily live and work in Africa) Up to five funded projects will be invited to participate in a year-long mentorship program guided by international mentors. Due to the current global health crisis, the 2022 iteration will be a hybrid model consisting of a private digital filmmaker lab, year-round mentorship from seasoned doc professionals, and participation at Hot Docs and Durban FilmMart/Durban International Film Festival.
Hurricane Disaster Relief Available
DEADLINE: Rolling The SAG-AFTRA Foundation has activated its disaster relief program for eligible SAG-AFTRA members impacted by Hurricane Ian or Hurricane Fiona.
IDFA Bertha Documentary Funds
DEADLINE: Multiple Applications to the IDFA Bertha Fund can be made in a variety of different funding categories. In all categories, the Fund is looking for films that use strong visual treatments to tell compelling stories and have the potential to reach a global audience.
If/Then Shorts Documentary Programs
DEADLINE: Multiple If/Then Shorts is a new filmmaking initiative that awards monetary grants and provides year-round distribution mentorship to filmmakers creating short documentaries.
Impact Partners Development Fund
DEADLINE: Rolling Impact Partners is now accepting applications on a rolling basis for its seven-figure development equity fund. Between 4-8 documentary features, series, or projects will be selected a year and given $10,000-$100,000 per project.
Inevitable Foundation: Mid-Career Screenwriting Fellowship
DEADLINE: Rolling The Screenwriting Fellowship gives professional disabled screenwriters $25,000 in unrestricted funding, bespoke mentorship and access to in-depth workshops to advance their careers and projects.
INTERMISSION SHORT FILM FINISHING FUND for UK Based Filmmakers
DEADLINE: Rolling The Finishing Fund is a rolling fund that is open year round. Filmmakers will be able to apply for a full in-kind post package, provided by the creative team here at Intermission.
INTERMISSION SHORT FILM PRODUCTION FUND for UK Based Filmmakers
DEADLINE: December 20 The Production Fund is a fund supporting filmmakers who are looking to shoot their film. The fund is open once a year, with 2 filmmakers being awarded £10k alongside development and editorial support from the Intermission team.
MacDowell Fellowship
DEADLINE: February 10 MacDowell encourages artists from all backgrounds and all countries in the following disciplines to apply: architecture, film/video arts, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theater, and visual arts. The sole criterion for acceptance is artistic excellence.
Made In NY: PA Training Program
DEADLINE: Rolling The “Made in NY” Production Assistant Training Program is here to help you access your potential in the film and television industry.
Moving Picture Institute Internship Placements
DEADLINE: Rolling Since 2006, we have awarded over 200 paid internships. Our interns regularly receive offers of full-time employment from their host companies and go on to work in Hollywood full-time.
Moving Picture Institute Rising Filmmaker Program
DEADLINE: Rolling The Moving Picture Institute's Rising Filmmaker Program supports filmmakers who are committed to developing and producing marketable projects about human freedom.
Moving Picture Institute Screenwriting Workshops
DEADLINE: Rolling In these ten-week virtual workshops, participants develop original concepts under the guidance of award-winning screenwriters and develop them into compelling, pro-freedom scripts for short or feature length films. There is an opportunity for scripts developed in these workshops to be acquired for production as an MPI Original Film.
MUSLIM CENTERED ARTIST SUPPORT
Artist Support creates a cycle of support for ISF film alumni by developing programming that supports their journey as a whole. We operate from a “Muslim Centered” space which is an evolving framework that creates space for Muslim artists to restore, define, and center their narratives.
Osmosis Films: Open Call for Submissions
DEADLINE: Rolling Osmosis Films is seeking submissions from filmmakers for projects in development or the early-stages of production for consideration for development funding. Osmosis partners with selected films to assist with creative development, provides production services, and takes projects to market to secure further financing and distribution.
Panavision: New Filmmaker Program
DEADLINE: Rolling Grants for equipment and post services
Parity Pipeline
Through the Parity Pipeline Initiative, Film Fatales connects underrepresented directors with production companies, funding organizations, agencies and other industry programs looking to expand their talent pool. We also reach out directly to grantors and film festival programmers to introduce them to new projects as well as negotiate submission waivers and discounts.
PBS Ignite Mentorship for Diverse Voices
DEADLINE February 20 The PBS/Firelight William Greaves Production Fund resources documentary productions by mid-career filmmakers from diverse communities that are intended for distribution on PBS through finishing funds or co-production funding. The PBS Open Call provides funding support for long and short form documentaries by diverse/BIPOC content creators.
Pop Culture Collaborative Grants
DEADLINE: Rolling Pop Culture Collaborative grants are awarded to organizations, companies and individuals working to drive mass audience experiences, cultural transformation, narrative shifts, and personal revelations through the power of modern media and entertainment.
Reel South PBS Documentary Submissions
DEADINE: Rolling REEL SOUTH reveals the South's proud yet complicated heritage, as told by a diversity of voices and perspectives, through the commission, curation, and distribution of feature-length and short documentaries. Reel South is a PBS documentary series and a platform for and a service to non-fiction filmmakers in the American South working within the region’s tradition of storytelling.
Rideback Rise
Opens September 1 The Rideback Rise program identifies an annual cohort of Fellows who are supported financially and creatively to make mainstream film, television, digital and audio content and other innovative projects that advance racial equity through technology and content. Fellows are established writers, filmmakers and creative entrepreneurs from throughout the industry
Roadmap Writers: Diversity Initiative Competition
DEADLINE: 25th of each month A monthly competition for diverse screenwriters with at least one completed original Feature or TV Pilot who are ready to tackle the marketing aspect of their career. Open to BIPOC, AAPI, LGBTQIA+, womxn over 45, writers with disabilities, and more.
Roy W. Dean Film Grants
DEADLINE: Rolling NEXT DEADLINE: October 31 To be eligible for the grant, the project submitted must be budgeted for under $500,000.
Sandbox Fund Sundance
DEADLINE: February 13 This program is for producers who are attached to a feature project with a fully developed and written script (fiction) or treatment and footage example (documentary), and that is ready for financing. Producers must have previously produced and completed a short or feature film.
Shore Scripts SHORT FILM FUND | SPRING
DEADLINE May 2 The Short Film Fund is for screenwriters and filmmakers who want to see their short film scripts produced. Shore Scripts will be commissioning two new short films in 2023. Each season offers a Grand Prize of $15,000 + free ARRI Rental production equipment + support through to release & marketing. Screenplays must be written in English however films can be shot in any country. We accept short film scripts, web series pilots, animations, and proof of concept shorts for TV series and features. We also accept short film projects in production seeking Finishing Funds.
Southeast Asian Documentary Grant
DEADLINE: January 31 The grant award’s $10000 to the selected recipient filmmaker to produce their proposed project which will premiere at VIMFF the following calendar year.
Southeast Asian Short Film Grant
DEADLINE: January 31 The SGIFF Southeast Asian-Short Film (SEA-SHORTS) Grant aims to be a launchpad for the brightest upcoming names in filmmaking from the region. The grant supports four short films annually, each with a cash amount of S$4,000 and post-production support worth S$4,000.
STAGE 32 2ND ANNUAL FEMALE DRIVEN SCREENWRITING CONTEST
DEADLINE: March 22 - Be flown to LA for meetings - Work with Stage 32 to develop your winning script’s pitch deck for the market - Have your professional biography sent to an exclusive roster of over 30 agents and managers
Stochastic Labs Residency
DEADLINE: Rolling Stochastic Labs awards fully sponsored residencies to exceptional engineers, artists, scientists, and entrepreneurs from around the world.
Streetlights Production Assistant Training Program
DEADLINE: Rolling Streetlights is a non-profit job training, job placement and career advancement program founded to assist economically and/or socially disadvantaged young minority men and women to create ethnic diversity in commercial, feature and television production.
Telefilm Canada Marketing Program
DEADLINE: Rolling The Marketing Program supports the marketing, promotion and distribution of Canadian feature films.
Telefilm Canadian Production Program
DEADLINE: Rolling The Production Program finances Canadian feature films at the production or post-production stage.
The Barbara Hammer Lesbian Experimental Filmmaking Grant
DEADLINE: February 15 The Barbara Hammer Lesbian Experimental Filmmaking Grant is an annual grant that will be awarded to self-identified lesbians for making visionary moving-image art.
The Barbara Hammer Lesbian Experimental Filmmaking Grant
Deadline February 15 The Barbara Hammer Lesbian Experimental Filmmaking Grant is an annual grant that will be awarded to self-identified lesbians for making visionary moving-image art.
The California Documentary Project Grants Program
DEADLINE: Multiple The California Documentary Project (CDP) is a competitive grant program that supports the research and development and production stages of film, audio, and digital media projects that seek to document California in all its complexity.
The Filmmaker Assistance Program
The Filmmaker Assistance Program (FAP) is designed to help developing independent Canadian filmmakers complete their films/videos by providing technical services and support.
The Sir Horace Ové Grant for UK crew
DEADLINE: Rolling Sir Horace Ové, the aim of the grant is to help Black and Global Majority people working behind the scenes in film, TV, and cinema in the UK to access opportunity and navigate barriers to career progression. Grants of up to £500 are available and could cover anything from childcare or travel costs to help you access a career opportunity, to courses to support your professional development.
THE VIMFF ADVENTURE FILM GRANT
DEADLINE: January 31 VIMFF and Arc’teryx have partnered to present this filmmaker development grant to further our shared commitment to supporting Canadian adventure film.
The Whickers: Film & TV Funding Award
DEADLINE: January 31 The Film & TV Funding Award is awarded annually to an emerging filmmaker from anywhere in the world with the most promising pitch for a director-led documentary which fulfils the core criteria detailed below. With a main award worth £100,000 and a runner-up contribution of £20,000, The Whickers Film & TV Funding Award is one of the most significant documentary awards in the world.
UK Public Film Funding Opportuties
There are many routes to public film funding in the UK, with tax relief benefits and a wide range of awards and schemes running throughout the year with different agencies.
Untold Stories
DEADLINE: February 7 Untold Stories is a multi-year, multi-tier alliance between AT&T and Tribeca Festival that awards $1 million dollars, mentorship, and comprehensive support to systemically underrepresented filmmakers to produce their films.
Vision Makers Media Funding, Fellowship, and Mentorship Opportunities
Deadline: Rolling Vision Maker Media’s mission is empowering and engaging Native people to share stories.
WIF | THE SUNDANCE INSTITUTE FINANCING INTENSIVE
DEADLINE: February 13 For the last eight years, The Sundance Institute and WIF have been working together to address the most challenging obstacles facing women filmmakers at structural and project-based levels. Accessing capital remains elusive even for seasoned creators, and our research has shown that women continue to deal with particular gendered biases that make it harder to secure financing.
Women in Film Artisan and Crew Fellowship
DEADLINE February 13 The WIF Artisan & Crew Fellowship will have a cohort of 8 women or nonbinary Fellows who are Artisans or Crew (Designers, Editors, VFX, Music Supervisors, Sound Mixers, Cam Ops, Grips, Gaffers, Post Positions, etc.). The cohort will meet within their cohorts for a year of master classes, networking, and community building. Each Fellow will also receive mentoring from professionals with extensive experience in their field. Fellows are expected to have at least six sessions with their Mentors within a twelve-month period.
Women in Film Business Fellowships
DEADLINE February 13 The WIF Business Fellowship will have a cohort of 8 women or nonbinary Fellows who are on an agency, studio, or other business side track. The cohort will meet within their cohorts for a year of master classes, networking, and community building. Each Fellow will also receive mentoring from professionals with extensive experience in their field. Fellows are expected to have at least six sessions with their Mentors within a twelve-month period.
Women In Film Emerging Producers Program
DEADLINE: February 13 This program is for producers who are attached to a feature project with a fully developed and written script (fiction) or treatment and footage example (documentary), and that is ready for financing. Producers must have previously produced and completed a short or feature film.
Women in Film Producers Fellowship
DEADLINE February 13 The WIF Producer Fellowship will have a cohort of 8 Producers who will meet within their cohorts for a year of master classes, networking, and community building. The cohort will also receive mentoring from professionals with extensive experience in their field. Fellows are expected to have at least six sessions with their Mentors within a twelve-month period.
Women Make Movies Fiscal Sponsorship Program
DEADLINE: Rolling Our 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.
World Cinema Production Fund
DEADLINE: March 1 Since 2004, the World Cinema Fund has helped to give shape and visibility to largely unseen cinema – by supporting film production in countries that lack a constructive film industry and by giving talented filmmakers the opportunity to gain or improve their international recognition and reach a global audience. Although German or European producers are always the administrative recipients of our support, they are required to spend the money in the projects’ regions of origin, a very effective way to support production in places where the financial means are most needed.
Worldwide Network of Arts Residencies
Uncover open calls for arts residency applications, and find news, events and residencies
YOUNG FILMMAKERS CONTEST
DEADLINE: June 25 Young Filmmakers Contest submissions, from students in grade 3 up through age 25, are due by midnight, June 25, 2023. All winning films will premiere at a special screening event on September 18, and some will be selected for the One Earth Film Festival in March 2024.