AFAC Documentary Program
Grants for Arab documentary filmmakers at all stages of production, administered by the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture through an annual open call.
Overview
The AFAC Documentary Film Program provides grants to Arab documentary filmmakers across all stages of production -- development, production, and post-production. It is one of nine open-call programs administered by the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC), the pan-Arab nonprofit established in 2007 to build independent arts funding infrastructure across the Arab world. The Documentary program has its own dedicated track within AFAC's programming, recognizing nonfiction filmmaking as distinct from fiction cinema in its practice, economics, and cultural function.
AFAC-supported documentary films have premiered at major international documentary festivals and have been broadcast on international platforms. The Documentary Program is one of the few institutional sources of documentary funding that is explicitly designed for Arab filmmakers and administered by an Arab-led institution.
What It Funds
The Documentary Program funds Arab documentary films at development, production, and post-production stages. Development grants support research, access-building, and the preparation of materials needed to approach co-production partners and broadcasters. Production grants support principal photography and key production costs. Post-production grants support editing, sound, color, and delivery.
Both individual directors and cultural organizations are eligible. Applications are submitted in English, French, or Arabic. Grant amounts vary by cycle and project scope, typically in the range of $10,000 to $30,000 per project.
Eligibility
Applicants must be Arab citizens or citizens of Arab-speaking countries as defined by AFAC's eligibility criteria. The Documentary program is open to both individual directors and cultural organizations with a track record in documentary production. The program runs on an annual open-call cycle with its own distinct deadline.
Filmmakers should consult the AFAC website for the current open programs, as the Documentary program cycle is separate from the Cinema, Performing Arts, and other AFAC programs.
Who Should Apply
Arab documentary filmmakers at any stage of production who are working on nonfiction projects with genuine artistic ambition and cultural significance to Arab audiences, and who want institutional support from within the Arab cultural ecosystem rather than exclusively from European or North American funders. The program is particularly relevant for filmmakers whose projects address subjects specific to Arab social, political, or cultural life.
See Also
For the AFAC Cinema Program supporting Arab fiction filmmakers, see the AFAC Cinema Program directory entry. For building a documentary financing plan that combines AFAC support with other international sources, see Documentary Financing: Building Your Stack.
