Film Grants

A $10,000 grant from the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) for emerging Latinx filmmakers whose work contributes to cultural understanding and social justice.

Grants for Arab fiction and experimental filmmakers, with up to $50,000 for feature production and up to $10,000 for development, administered by the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture.

Grants for Arab documentary filmmakers at all stages, with up to $50,000 for feature production and up to $25,000 for post-production, administered by the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture.

Grants up to $25,000 for individuals and $35,000 for institutions supporting Arab theater, dance, and performance, administered by the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture.

Public media documentary series from Black Public Media, licensing completed films about the African diaspora for PBS broadcast and YouTube distribution.

Annual cash grants from the Austin Film Society for Texas-based filmmakers, awarding up to $20,000 for feature films and $2,500 for student shorts.

Sundance Institute partnership grants totaling $84,000 annually for filmmakers developing science and technology-themed narrative features, episodic projects, and screenplays.

Multi-partner funding ecosystem awarding grants from $13,500 to $50,000 for narrative and documentary features exploring science, technology, and mathematics.

Grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 for interactive, digital, and emerging media projects that engage public audiences with science and technology.

Grants supporting television productions - primarily documentaries and docudramas - in which science, technology, or mathematics is central to the narrative.

Grants supporting playwrights and theater companies developing new plays in which science, technology, or mathematics is a central dramatic subject.

A short-film competition launched by Amazon Prime Video in 2019 for US filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds, with a $25,000 grand prize and $10,000 runner-up awards.

A global non-profit initiative by inDrive supporting impact-driven filmmakers from the Global South through a nomadic film festival with $120,000 in awards, free educational labs, and impact distribution programs.

NBCUniversal's directing pipeline for unscripted television, now part of NBCU LAUNCH, placing underrepresented directors on alternative series.

Competitive pitch competition for US documentary and animation filmmakers at startup and finishing stages, with up to $50,000 in cash and post-production prizes.

Annual pitch competition granting up to $50,000 to US documentary filmmakers, tied to AmDocs festival in Palm Springs and Jihlava in the Czech Republic.

Fiscal sponsorship from Allied Media Projects for social justice media and film projects, providing 501(c)(3) umbrella for tax-deductible fundraising.

Philadelphia-based grants from the Leeway Foundation for women, trans, and gender nonconforming artists making art for social change. ACG: $5,000 project grants. LTA: $15,000 career awards.

The first federally registered national apprenticeship program in media arts and creative technology, placing aspiring media professionals in paid, mentored apprenticeships at participating organizations.

A multi-track grant program by the Busan International Film Festival funding Asian documentary, post-production, and script development projects.

A $1.2 million film production prize awarded annually at the Tribeca Festival to a diverse filmmaking team pitching an original feature scripted project, with a guaranteed premiere at the following year's festival.

A 10-month documentary development fellowship from BAVC Media providing $10,000 in unrestricted funding, mentorship, and industry access to filmmakers directing their first or second feature-length social-issue documentary. ~10% acceptance rate.

A joint initiative between the BBC World Service and Sundance Institute supporting nonfiction audio storytellers with funding, mentorship, and broadcast distribution on BBC World Service's global platform.

National Lottery-funded grants supporting UK documentary and immersive nonfiction projects, administered by Doc Society as BFI's delegate partner, with dedicated strands for emerging and established filmmakers.

An inclusion-focused incubator and production company that develops film and TV projects from underrepresented creators through mentorship, resource access, and co-production.

Three-month development program from Black Public Media preparing Black filmmakers to pitch for up to $150,000 in production funding at PitchBLACK.

An Atlanta-based nonprofit providing scholarships, screenings, workshops, and an annual summit for women of color pursuing careers in film, television, and digital media.

Humanities-focused grants from California Humanities for documentary film, audio, and digital media productions exploring California's culture, history, and communities.

A California Humanities grant track for youth media organizations training emerging documentary makers age 18 and under to produce nonfiction media about California.

Canada's primary federal audiovisual funding body, providing production investment for Canadian television and digital media content through the POV Program, Broadcaster Envelope, and other streams.

A scholarship-supported training program from Casting Society Cares that teaches the fundamentals of casting through 12 virtual modules taught by working casting directors.

Early-stage development and research grants for documentary filmmakers, providing seed funding when projects are hardest to finance. Development grants up to $25,000; research grants $10,000.

Documentary production and completion grants from CAAM for Asian American films intended for public television. Awards $10,000 to $50,000. Also operates the Building Bridges Documentary Fund for films about US Muslim experiences.

A year-round accelerator program from Creative Cypher for underrepresented and BIPOC filmmakers, combining grant funding, mentorship, equipment access, and distribution pipelines. Prize packages valued up to $50,000.

Grants and fellowships for women and gender-expansive nonfiction filmmakers. Programs include the R&D Grant ($10,000 to $20,000), (Egg)celerator Lab ($40,000), and Chicken & Egg Award ($75,000). Over $15 million awarded to 500+ filmmakers since 2005.

A year-long fellowship providing $40,000 grants, mentorship, and professional development to women and gender-expansive filmmakers on their first or second feature documentary.

Grants of $5,000 to $50,000 for feature-length fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid films. Currently not accepting unsolicited proposals as the organization undergoes restructuring under new leadership.

An Indigenous-led film collective providing $10,000 grants to Indigenous artists expanding the form of film through experimental, hybrid, and avant-garde work. Founded in 2018, supported by Ford Foundation JustFilms and MacArthur Foundation.

Unrestricted project grants of $15,000 to $50,000 for individual US artists creating new work across film, visual arts, performing arts, and literature. 2026 cycle awarded $2.9 million to 109 artists.

The European Union's flagship funding programme for the audiovisual sector, supporting development, distribution, and promotion of European films and series across 41 participating countries.

A Hot Docs documentary fund that supported Canadian filmmakers from historically underrepresented communities with grants of $10,000-$50,000 CAD. Now a legacy program following Netflix's withdrawal in 2024.

Annual short film festival in Salt Lake City screening Davey Foundation grant films alongside standout shorts from Utah, the US, and internationally. Davey Foundation grants provide $5,000 cash plus mentorship to emerging narrative short filmmakers.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit using blockchain-based community voting to fund independent filmmakers. Has awarded over $1M to creators globally through TALNT token-powered financing awards.

Short-form documentary and nonfiction funding through ITVS and PBS public media programs. Grants range from $10,000 to $36,000 for digital shorts, vertical content, and web series.

A California mental health film contest for youth ages 12-25, with cash prizes from $250 to $1,000 across six categories and a March 1 annual deadline.

The East African Documentary Film Fund, providing grants of $8,000 for short films and $20,000 for feature-length documentaries to filmmakers from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, and DRC.

The IDF's online platform and industry hub connecting Central and Eastern European documentary filmmakers with funds, festivals, markets, and co-production opportunities. Hosts the East Doc Platform annually in Prague.

Film Independent's suite of artist development labs and fellowships for emerging filmmakers, offering mentorship, industry access, and over $1 million in annual grants.

PEN America's five-month virtual mentorship fellowship for early-career writers from underrepresented communities, offering a $1,500 stipend and one-on-one mentorship from established authors.

The world's longest-running competition showcase of new horror, sci-fi, fantasy, action, and thriller short films directed by women, with streaming distribution on Shudder.

An intensive 8-month international training program for mid-career documentary producers, with three residential sessions across Europe and a network of 1,800+ alumni from 75 countries.

NBCU LAUNCH's scripted directing program for women directors, guaranteeing each participant at least one credited episodic directing assignment on an NBCUniversal series.

Labs, fellowships, and grants from Film Independent. Over $1 million awarded annually. Programs include Screenwriting Lab, Producing Labs, Documentary Labs, Episodic Lab, Fast Track market, Amplifier Fellowship ($30,000), and Imaginar Residency ($50,000).

A five-week intensive lab for directors prepping independent narrative feature films. Currently on hiatus. Provides scene workshops with professional actors and feedback from established creative advisors.

Two nonfiction lab tracks from Film Independent: the Documentary Story Lab for directors in late production/early post (1 week, spring) and the Documentary Producing Lab for producers at any stage (1 week, fall). 6 projects selected per lab. Cayton-Goldrich Fellowship provides $10,000.

Film Independent's signature diversity program since 1993. 30 filmmakers per cohort, 9 months (January to October), in person in Los Angeles. Free program. Fellows produce 5 to 6 short films. Cash fellowships up to $10,000. Panavision camera package valued at $60,000.

Federal and state arts funding for independent film, video, and digital media production, anchored by the NEA Grants for Arts Projects: Media Arts program.

A micro-grant program from Cucalorus Film Foundation awarding $500 to $3,000 to North Carolina filmmakers for projects with budgets under $1.5 million.

Miami-based film organization offering a Feature Film Fellowship with up to $150,000 in production funding, plus year-round labs, mentorship, and screenings for Florida filmmakers.

A 12-month fellowship from Firelight Media awarding $25,000 to documentary filmmakers of color working on their first or second feature, plus mentorship and professional development.

A legal and financial arrangement allowing independent filmmakers to raise tax-deductible donations and apply for foundation grants through an established nonprofit, typically for a 5 to 8% administrative fee.

A filmmaker-led grant from a Brooklyn production company supporting bold, unconventional narrative, documentary, and experimental shorts and features. Has awarded nearly $50,000 since 2017. Current cycle status unclear.

Grants of $1,000 to $5,000 for completing LGBTQ+ films in any format. Established 1991. Over $717,500 awarded to 203+ projects. Free to apply. International applicants welcome.

Tiered grants from $100 to $5,000 for filmmakers worldwide. Covers development, production, post-production, and festival applications. Programs currently on hold as of 2026.

A fully funded 10 to 12 month teaching fellowship placing experienced filmmakers in underserved classrooms across 15 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

A US-only grant for independent animators making non-commercial short films, awarding $3,000 to $6,000 per project plus a Wacom tablet.

The Gotham Film & Media Institute's lab for first-time fiction feature directors, providing completion support, Gotham Week Project Market access, and distribution mentorship. Currently on hiatus; applications via Gotham Week Project Market.

A now-closed finishing fund (2008 to 2020) that awarded $1.5M+ to 105 feature-length documentaries on social issues. Gucci moved support to the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund in 2021.

A documentary fund for African filmmakers awarding development grants up to $10,000 and production grants up to $40,000, plus a year-long mentorship program.

A short documentary funding and distribution program now run by Field of Vision, offering $5,000 to $30,000 grants through themed partnership cycles with organizations like Hulu, NBCU, and The Redford Center.

Equity financing for feature-length social issue documentaries, investing $30,000 to $1,500,000 per project. Rolling submissions, 8-10 films supported annually.

South Carolina Film Commission and Trident Technical College production grants of $25,000 to $45,000 for narrative short films. 2026-27 cycle deadline August 3, 2026.

Canada's national funding body for Indigenous screen content, distributing $6.3M in 2025-26 across 26 productions. Up to $750,000 per project for features and series.

Post-production grants up to $3,000 CAD for women, non-binary, and trans filmmakers telling 2SLGBTQ+ stories. 2026 cycle opens June 29, closes July 22. $350,000+ distributed since 2018.

Production and post-production grants up to $20,000 for Muslim filmmakers in the United States telling stories about Muslim identity, culture, and experience.

Research and development funding of up to $35,000 for producers of color developing single nonfiction documentary programs intended for public media broadcast. Currently on pause as of 2026.

Co-production funding up to $400,000 for features and $50,000 for shorts from the Independent Television Service, supporting nonfiction documentaries for public media broadcast on PBS.

Finishing funds from the Jewish Film Institute ranging from $5,000 to $35,000 for independent films exploring Jewish history, life, culture, and identity. Open to US and international filmmakers.

Two distinct funding programs from the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival: in-kind post-production grants (visual/sound services valued at 20,000 EUR) and Ji.hlava/JB Films cash co-production support (up to 40,000 EUR per project from a 110,000 EUR pool) for documentary and hybrid films from Central and Eastern Europe.

NBC's multi-day intensive program selecting 5 to 8 comedy writers from diverse backgrounds for mentorship, feedback, and staffing advocacy on NBCUniversal late-night and sketch comedy shows. Founded in 2013.

LPB's PMCF provides $10,000 to $100,000 for independent filmmakers creating documentary and media projects about the Latino experience for US public television. Funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

A $6,500 film completion grant for a woman filmmaker making a film on physical or developmental disability issues, administered by New York Women in Film & Television. Now in its 17th year.

Wave Farm's NYSCA-backed grants of up to $7,500 for New York State media artists completing or publicly presenting sound and moving image work. 15 grantees selected from 233 applications in 2026.

Graduate film programs at accredited US universities offering MFA degrees in directing, screenwriting, producing, cinematography, and editing. Tuition ranges from $27,000 to $83,000 per year with merit scholarships and assistantships available.

Post-production grants of $3,000 to $6,000 for documentary filmmakers telling stories about adventure, activism, social justice, culture, and the environment. Over $90,000 awarded annually.

Production grant from The North Face awarding $25,000 each to four women directors to create short films about exploration, adventure, and the outdoors. Includes mentorship and brand distribution.

Grants and fellowships for filmmakers producing marketable projects about human freedom. Short Film Lab offers $10,000 grants; workshop participants receive $1,000 fellowships. Rolling applications reviewed 3 times per year.

Grants of up to $5,000 for disabled nonfiction media makers to cover access accommodations that standard production grants do not fund. Rolling quarterly review. Open globally.

Post-production support for independent Canadian filmmakers. Up to $7,500 for shorts and $15,000 for features via cash reimbursement, or in-kind services at NFB's Montreal studios. Three intake terms per year.

Annual national arts competition for US students aged 15-18, awarding cash prizes of $250 to $10,000 across 10 disciplines including film. Winners attend an all-expenses-paid week in Miami.

Federal grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities supporting documentary films, radio programs, and podcasts that engage general audiences with humanities scholarship. Development up to $75,000; production up to $700,000.

Live pitching competition at the New Orleans Film Festival for Southern filmmakers. $30 application fee. Selected teams receive $1,500+ grants, pitch coaching, and compete for $5,000 top prize.

A $25,000 unrestricted grant from NewFest and Netflix for 4 emerging LGBTQ+ directors in the US. Includes mentorship, festival showcase, and professional development. Apply by February 12, 2026.

City of New York grant program supporting projects made by, for, or about women across film, media, music, and theatre. $10M total invested across 5 cycles. Program concluded in 2024.

Fiscal sponsorship from New York Women in Film & Television enabling women-led film and media projects to receive tax-deductible donations and access foundation grants. 7% fee on first $100K raised, 5% thereafter.

Multiple grant programs from New York Women in Film & Television supporting women directors and producers at production, post-production, and marketing stages. Awards range from $2,500 to $6,500 plus in-kind post-production services.

The only program in the world dedicated to preserving films made by women. Grants up to $10,000 plus in-kind services from Cineric, Inc. Founded 1995, 150+ films preserved in 30 years.

A 2019-2021 POV Spark and NFB co-production initiative supporting women, non-binary, and genderqueer creators making short documentaries for Instagram Stories. 169 applicants, 8 selected, 7 films produced.

The first national all-discipline childcare grant program for artist-parents in the US, providing individual grants of $250 and institution match grants of $500 for childcare during professional arts events.

A Film Fatales initiative connecting underrepresented filmmakers with production companies, funders, festivals, and distributors. Not a cash grant. Pro membership $120/year. 2,000+ members, 200+ festival partners.

PBS's longest-running independent documentary showcase (since 1988, 500+ films). Accepts completed nonfiction films for broadcast. Licensing fees ~$30K/hour to $150K/film. 800+ submissions/year, 14-16 selected.

An Ibero-American intergovernmental film fund providing conditionally repayable loans for co-production, co-development, distribution, and training across 21 member countries. Co-production loans up to US$150,000 (fiction) or US$100,000 (documentary).

A Bangkok-based film fund providing cash production grants (USD 15,000-30,000) and in-kind post-production support (USD 35,000-50,000) for independent feature fiction, animation, and documentary films from Southeast Asia. Two cycles per year.

A San Francisco-based nonprofit providing free filmmaking training, film grants, paid apprenticeships ($30-45/hr with benefits), and festival exhibition for LBTQIA+ BIPOC filmmakers. Founded 2000. 500+ films produced over 25 years.

A multidisciplinary community arts center in West Nyack, NY offering Media Project Space exhibitions for filmmakers, editing workshops, and the Rockland Filmmakers screening series in partnership with Rivertown Film. Not a formal film residency program.

Two CRTC-certified independent production funds providing non-recoupable advances up to $100,000 (Documentary Fund) and up to $500,000 (Series Fund) for Canadian film and television productions. $234.5M invested since 1996.

The largest exhibition of Asian cinema in the western United States, presenting competitive awards across narrative, documentary, short, and experimental categories to Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander filmmakers.

Free one-to-one advisory sessions for documentary filmmakers based in Scotland, covering editorial development, financing strategy, and distribution at any project stage.

A micro-grant program for early-stage short and experimental documentary and fiction projects by emerging US filmmakers, providing seed funding at the concept and prototype stage.

Development funding from Australia's national film agency for documentary projects by Australian filmmakers, providing grants up to $30,000 for research, scripting, and project packaging.

Production funding from Australia's national film agency for Australian feature films, providing grants or equity investment from $150,000 up to $500,000 for projects ready to move into production.

Production grants up to $30,000 for narrative features, shorts, TV pilots, and documentaries. Open to filmmakers worldwide with an entry fee starting at $45.

Film-specific crowdfunding platform with 82% success rate, zero platform fee, and an 80% funding threshold. Offers Patrons Circle grants ($500-$2,500), finishing funds up to $25,000, and $9,000+ in filmmaker rewards.

A discontinued $10,000 development fellowship (2018-2019) from SFFILM and Catapult Film Fund for emerging documentary filmmakers on their first or second feature, paired with a FilmHouse residency.

Post-production grants of $10,000 to $20,000 for feature-length documentaries with a cinematic visual approach, open to filmmakers worldwide. 3 to 4 projects funded per year.

A past SFFILM program that awarded $25,000 and a FilmHouse residency to immigrant and first-generation American filmmakers. Ran from 2017 to 2021 in partnership with the Flora Family Foundation.

The largest US granting body for independent narrative feature films. Up to $25,000 per project for screenwriting, development, or post-production of social justice narrative features. 15 to 20 projects funded annually.

A $35,000 cash grant plus FilmHouse residency for 2 narrative feature projects per year at the screenwriting stage that explore scientific or technological themes. Paired with a dedicated science advisor.

A past SFFILM program that awarded $25,000, an environmental advisor, and workshops in San Francisco and Seattle to mid-career documentary filmmakers telling stories about conservation and the environment. Ran from 2018 to 2019.

A discontinued development grant from SFFILM and the Westridge Foundation that awarded $100,000 per cycle to US-based narrative feature filmmakers at the screenwriting stage. Ran for 6 cycles from 2018 to 2020, distributing $600,000 total.

A documentary production and post-production grant for Southeast Asian filmmakers, administered by SGIFF and funded by the Tan Ean Kiam Foundation. Awards S$30,000 per production project and S$20,000 per post-production project. On temporary hiatus as of 2026.

A short film anthology program launched by Refinery29 in 2016, commissioning original short films from women directors. Produced 20+ films across 4 seasons with directors including Chloë Sevigny, Kristen Stewart, and Yara Shahidi. Currently dormant.

A one-time short film competition in 2019 by Chloe Wine Collection and Women In Film, awarding a $10,000 grand prize plus mentorship to women directors. Winner: Alexis Sallee for Who We Are. Concluded, no subsequent cycles.

A 9-week online directing initiative for writers who want to direct. 8 winners selected per cycle. Entry fees $39 to $59. Open to writers worldwide.

A fellowship from SFFILM and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation awarding $35,000 cash grants to two narrative feature filmmakers annually whose screenplays explore scientific or technological themes. Includes FilmHouse residency and science advisor matching. Active as of 2026.

Production grants of $15,000 each for documentary filmmakers living in or deeply rooted in the American South, with mentorship and fiscal sponsorship services.

NBC's annual nationwide search for stand-up comedians from diverse backgrounds, awarding a talent holding deal with NBCUniversal and a NACA headlining slot.

Unrestricted grants from the Sundance Institute supporting nonfiction filmmakers globally across development, production, and post-production. Over $1.5 million awarded in 2025.

Sundance Institute's documentary support ecosystem: the Documentary Producers Lab (July 20-25, 2026), Documentary Edit Intensive, and Documentary Fund granting 25-30 projects per year with budgets under $1.2M.

A five-day residential screenwriting workshop at Sundance Mountain Resort, Utah, for first- and second-time fiction feature writers. $45 application fee. Travel and accommodation covered.

Canada's federal feature film funding agency, investing in development and production of Canadian feature films and theatrical documentaries through the Canada Feature Film Fund.

Former Tribeca Film Institute program that awarded $150,000 grants for science-themed fiction films. TFI ceased operations in 2021; active Sloan funding continues through partner organizations.

Grants of 10,000 CAD and 5,000 CAD for documentary filmmakers born and living in the Global South - Africa, Asia, or Latin America - producing feature-length documentaries about rights and freedoms.

Annual feature-length script competition for women writers at the Athena Film Festival, Barnard College. No submission fee. Scripts 80 to 120 pages. $10K and $20K development grants available to winners.

A private foundation funding outreach and audience engagement for social issue documentary films. Grants range from $10,000 to $25,000. Rolling applications, no deadlines. Does not fund production or post-production.

Twice-annual short film fund offering $4,000 cash grants and in-kind post-production services to women and non-binary directors. 70+ filmmakers supported since 2018. Free to apply via FilmFreeway.

A US-based writing fellowship for screenwriters and nonfiction writers offering structured time, peer community, and development support. Program status unverified as of July 2026; website is no longer active.

Tribeca and CHANEL partnership for emerging women and non-binary filmmakers. 3-day NYC workshop. $120,000 top grant for short film production; $10,000 development prizes for 4 additional participants. No entry fee.

Former Tribeca Film Institute program for underrepresented filmmakers (2004 to 2020). $10,000 to $15,000 grants plus year-round mentorship. TFI closed in September 2020. This entry documents the program and lists active successors.

Tribeca Studios filmmaker incubator with Eli Lilly, supporting 20 filmmakers through a Creative Summit and producing 3 short films with a guaranteed Tribeca Festival 2026 premiere.

Fiscal sponsorship from Third World Newsreel for social justice media projects. 1% to 7% sliding scale fee. 501(c)(3) umbrella since 1988. Approximately 50 sponsored projects. No student projects.

Production funding from Vision Maker Media for Native American and Alaska Native filmmakers creating documentary and media content for PBS broadcast. R&D: $5,000-$25,000; Production: up to $150,000; Post-Production: up to $30,000.

Development and production funding from Vision Maker Media for Native American and Alaska Native producers creating public media content for PBS. Development: $5,000-$25,000; Production: up to $150,000. Final round awarded in 2025.

Swiss fund supporting production and post-production of feature-length fiction and documentary films from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Fiction: up to CHF 50,000 (production), CHF 20,000 (post). Documentary: up to CHF 20,000 (production), CHF 10,000 (post). Fund closed September 2026.

Research and development grants of $10,000 to $25,000 from Firelight Media for mid-career nonfiction filmmakers of African and/or Indigenous descent across the Americas (Abya Yala). 2026 cycle is nomination-based.

Cash and in-kind post-production grants for films by, for, or about women. Awards 8 to 15 grants annually ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. Over $2 million awarded to 280 films since 1985.

A production funding and mentorship program from Women In Film Los Angeles for emerging women creators making short narrative content. Provides financial support, crew, and professional guidance from development through public showcase.

An in-kind production program from Women in Media that produces short films with women and gender non-conforming crews. Provides equipment, mentorship, training, and set experience instead of cash grants. Expanding to feature films in 2026.

An annual hybrid women's rights documentary film festival awarding $13,000 in cash prizes across 8 categories. Open to women directors globally whose films address social justice and women's issues. Submissions open August 1 each year.