Islamic Scholarship Fund National Film Grant

Overview

The Islamic Scholarship Fund (ISF) Film Grant is the first American Muslim film grant, established to support Muslim filmmakers in the United States to tell their own stories and change the narratives about Muslim identity in American culture. ISF was founded in 2009 with a core mission of increasing American Muslim representation in media, law, and policy -- fields with disproportionate influence over public perception. The Film Grant sits within that mission as a direct intervention in the production landscape.

The fund operates from the recognition that film is one of the most powerful mechanisms for shaping how communities are understood by the broader public, and that Muslim filmmakers telling their own stories produce fundamentally different and more accurate work than productions made by those outside the community.

What It Funds

The ISF Film Grant supports American Muslim filmmakers at the development and production stages. Both documentary and narrative fiction projects are eligible. The fund prioritizes projects that address Muslim life, identity, and experience in America in ways that challenge stereotypes and bring nuanced, authentic perspectives to mainstream and independent film audiences.

The fund is administered on an annual cycle. Specific award amounts vary by cycle and by the number and scope of projects selected in any given year. Filmmakers should consult the ISF website for the current cycle's funding parameters.

Eligibility

Applicants must be American Muslim filmmakers. The fund is specifically designed for Muslim filmmakers based in the United States; international filmmakers and non-Muslim filmmakers are not the target of this program. Both emerging and established filmmakers are eligible.

The ISF Film Grant application is typically open in the spring, with awards announced before year-end. Filmmakers should consult the ISF website for current application windows and any updated eligibility criteria.

The ISF Ecosystem

Beyond the film grant, ISF operates a scholarship program supporting Muslim students studying film, television, and acting at US universities, as well as an internship program placing Muslim students at major media companies. Filmmakers who receive the Film Grant gain access to the ISF community and alumni network, which spans law, policy, and media.

Who Should Apply

American Muslim filmmakers at the development or production stage working on projects that address Muslim identity, experience, or community in the United States. The fund is particularly relevant for first-time and emerging filmmakers who are developing their first feature or documentary and who seek both financial support and institutional recognition from within the American Muslim professional community.

See Also

For building a documentary financing strategy that layers identity-focused grants with other sources, see Documentary Financing: Building Your Stack. For understanding how representation in film connects to distribution strategy, see Distribution Deals: What Filmmakers Need to Know.