New Voices Filmmaker Grant
A $25,000 grant from NewFest and Netflix supporting emerging LGBTQ+ directors in the US to create new documentary, narrative, or animated work that amplifies queer stories.
Overview
The New Voices Filmmaker Grant is a collaborative initiative between NewFest -- New York's LGBTQ+ film festival -- and Netflix, designed to support emerging directors who tell LGBTQ+ stories. The grant provides $25,000 in funding alongside mentorship, networking, and professional development opportunities, with the goal of helping emerging queer filmmakers create new work and build sustainable careers.
The grant is open to filmmakers working in documentary, narrative, and animated formats as well as episodic projects, making it one of the more format-inclusive LGBTQ+ filmmaker grants available.
What It Provides
Selected grantees receive:
- $25,000 in funding toward the creation of a new film or media project
- Mentorship from industry professionals with experience in LGBTQ+ film and media
- Networking opportunities through NewFest's industry relationships and events
- Professional development support to help emerging filmmakers build the skills and contacts needed to advance their careers beyond a single project
The grant is explicitly intended to propel careers forward, not just support a single project in isolation. The combination of financial support and professional development reflects the initiative's dual goal: producing new LGBTQ+ work and investing in the filmmakers who create it.
Eligibility
Applicants must be emerging directors who:
- Are at least 18 years of age
- Currently live in the US, or have resided in the US for a meaningful period
- Are making work that highlights LGBTQ+ stories
The grant targets directors who are genuinely at the emerging stage of their career -- the program is designed for filmmakers who have not yet had significant mainstream industry access or funding, not for mid-career or established directors. Documentary, narrative, animation, and episodic formats are all eligible.
Applications and Timing
The grant accepts applications on an annual cycle. Filmmakers should check the NewFest website for the current application window and submission requirements.
Who Should Apply
Emerging LGBTQ+ directors in the US working in documentary, narrative, animation, or episodic formats who want both financial support and mentorship to advance their career alongside their current project. The grant is particularly well suited to filmmakers who are developing their first or second significant work and who want to connect with an organisation that has deep roots in LGBTQ+ film culture.
See Also
For LGBTQ+ filmmakers seeking completion funding for a project in post-production, see the Frameline Completion Fund entry. For a broader overview of film financing strategies, see Documentary Financing: Building Your Stack.
