IF/Then Shorts

Overview

IF/Then Shorts is a Tribeca Film Institute program that invites short-form documentary storytellers from specific regions of the United States to pitch for production support of up to $20,000, paired with one year of distribution mentorship. The program has operated in partnership with regional film organisations including DOC NYC and the New Orleans Film Society, with each iteration focused on filmmakers from a defined geographic area.

The program's name reflects its structural premise: the IF/Then model asks filmmakers to demonstrate what they would do with the support if awarded, and commits to providing both financial resources and distribution guidance once selected. This dual structure -- production funding plus a year of guided distribution support -- distinguishes IF/Then from straight cash grants that leave filmmakers to navigate release independently.

What It Provides

Selected filmmakers receive:

• Up to $20,000 in production support for their short documentary
• One full year of distribution mentorship, guiding the film through festival strategy, online distribution, and audience development
• Access to the program's regional and national documentary community through Tribeca Film Institute's network

The distribution mentorship component is particularly valuable. Short documentary filmmakers frequently secure production funding only to find themselves without guidance on how to build an audience for their completed work. IF/Then addresses this directly by treating distribution as an integral part of the support package rather than a separate problem filmmakers must solve alone.

Eligibility

Eligibility is geographically defined by each program cycle. Past iterations have focused on filmmakers from the American Northeast (in partnership with DOC NYC) and the American South (in partnership with the New Orleans Film Festival). Filmmakers should confirm the current program's regional focus before applying.

Projects must be short documentaries. Feature-length projects, narrative films, and non-documentary formats are not eligible for this specific program.

Regional Iteration Model

The IF/Then program is notable for its regional model: rather than running a single national open call, it partners with regional film organisations to reach filmmakers in specific communities. This approach connects the program to local documentary ecosystems and ensures that filmmakers who might not apply to a national program still receive targeted outreach and support.

Who Should Apply

Short documentary filmmakers in the program's current target region with a project at or approaching production readiness. The combination of a modest but meaningful production grant and a full year of distribution mentorship makes IF/Then particularly valuable for filmmakers whose primary challenge is not just making their film but finding an audience for it.

See Also

For short film production planning, use the Shot List Generator and the Production Schedule Calculator. For understanding short documentary distribution strategy, see Distribution Deals: What Filmmakers Need to Know.