Film Scholarships

Up to five $35,000 fellowships awarded annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to emerging screenwriters, now distributed through partner referrals rather than open public submissions.

Scholarships from the Illuminating Engineering Society San Francisco Section for students pursuing lighting education or research, including film and TV lighting design.

Grants from the Sloan Foundation supporting films about science and technology, partnering with six film schools (AFI, Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, NYU, UCLA, USC) and festivals (Sundance, Tribeca, SFFILM, Film Independent, Black List, Athena). Awards range from $5,000 to $25,000.

Annual editing competition from American Cinema Editors where students edit a scene from a television show, with finalists honored at the ACE Eddie Awards.

Equipment grants, production awards, and training programs from ARRI supporting student and emerging cinematographers through partnerships with NYU Tisch, HFF Munich, and ARRI Rental.

Annual cinematography competition from the American Society of Cinematographers recognizing outstanding visual achievement in student films across undergraduate, graduate, documentary, and international categories.

A New York-based nonprofit offering fiscal sponsorship and festival screening opportunities for Asian and Asian diaspora filmmakers, best known for running the Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) since 1978.

Cash grants for Texas-based filmmakers working in any style or genre, with up to $20,000 for feature films and up to $10,000 for short films, plus specialized awards for North Texas filmmakers and first-time feature directors.

BAFTA's flagship talent program supported by Netflix, selecting 20 emerging creatives in film, games, and television for a year of mentorship, industry access, and career development. Now in its 13th year with over 300 alumni.

Scholarships from BAFTA North America for British and international graduate students pursuing Master's degrees in film production disciplines at US institutions, offering $10,000 toward annual tuition and expenses with year-round career support.

A free professional development program at the Berlin International Film Festival selecting 200 emerging filmmakers from 3,400+ annual applicants for a six-day Summit of workshops, labs, and industry networking during the Berlinale each February.

National Lottery funding from the British Film Institute for short film production by early career UK filmmakers, with grants from GBP 5,000 to GBP 90,000 across multiple strands.

Annual scholarships from the BEA supporting students pursuing degrees in broadcasting, electronic media, and film at member institutions across the United States. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000.

Annual documentary competition for grades 6-12 from C-SPAN, awarding $100,000 in total prizes across 150 winning entries for 5-6 minute films on government and civic themes.

A fellowship from the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment supporting AAPI screenwriters through mentorship, workshops, and industry introductions. Requires a $65 application fee.

A Chicago-based nonprofit providing documentary production grants to BIPOC filmmakers through its Shifting Voices Film Fund, with a top award of $50,000 and $5,000 finalist grants.

The industry arm of the Sarajevo Film Festival offering co-production market deals, project development workshops, and cash awards totaling over EUR 170,000 for filmmakers from Southeast Europe and the MENA region. Deadline February 10, 2026.

Annual $5,000 award from the Cinema Audio Society for students demonstrating passion and potential in production or post-production sound mixing. Winner announced at the CAS Awards ceremony.

A free summer-long traveling filmmaking campus in Italy hosting 300 filmmakers from 60+ countries. Participants shoot weekly short films, attend masterclasses, and compete for 50+ university scholarships.

A Brooklyn-based nonprofit providing $5,000 to $50,000 production grants for feature-length fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid films. Currently in organizational transition under new CEO Jennifer Strachan.

An international youth film competition for filmmakers ages 13 to 25 making short films about issues impacting women and girls. $32,500 in prizes across 11 categories. Submissions open July 1, deadline October 1.

Annual student documentary award from the International Documentary Association with a $2,500 cash prize, open to degree-seeking students at accredited institutions worldwide.

Annual directing awards from the Directors Guild of America for student filmmakers from underrepresented communities, with $2,500 prizes in narrative and documentary categories.

Production fund for East African filmmakers offering grants of $8,000 for short films and $20,000 for feature documentaries, plus mentorship and workshop training.

Non-recoupable grants for MENA and international filmmakers offering up to $100,000 for feature production, $75,000 for post-production, and $20,000 for development across narrative and documentary films.

The Council of Europe's film fund providing up to EUR 500,000 for feature-length co-productions between 40 member states, including Canada.

A nonprofit with 2,000+ members in 100+ cities supporting women and non-binary directors through membership tiers, the Parity Pipeline industry connector, and the Fatales Forward fellowship for trans filmmakers of color.

A free 10-month Los Angeles fellowship for 30 emerging filmmakers from underrepresented communities, offering mentorship, master classes, short film production, and cash grants from industry sponsors.

A 12-month fellowship for filmmakers of color in the US directing their first or second feature documentary, providing a $25,000 grant, mentorship, and professional development. 2026 cycle accepts post-production projects only.

An annual video contest from the Flag Manufacturers Association of America awarding up to $3,500 to high school seniors and college students who create a 45 to 60 second video about the American flag.

A $2,500 graduate fellowship from the Phi Delta Theta Foundation for students pursuing advanced degrees in filmmaking or related fields at US or Canadian institutions, honoring Academy Award-winning editor Francis D. Lyon.

The US government's flagship international exchange program providing full or partial tuition, monthly stipends, travel, and health insurance for filmmakers to study or create at institutions in over 160 countries.

Merit and need-based scholarships at the USC School of Cinematic Arts funded by George Lucas and the George Lucas Family Foundation, supporting undergraduate and graduate students with awards from $1,000 to $25,000, with priority for African-American and Hispanic students.

A free 20-month immersive filmmaking and creative producing program for young artists ages 14 to 22 in New York, Los Angeles, and London, offering professional instruction, equipment access, international thesis film production, and college advising.

Philanthropic grants from the Golden Globe Foundation awarding $3 million annually to 86 nonprofit organizations, film schools, and journalism programs. Students access funds through their institutions, not direct application.

Six $1,000 scholarships awarded annually by Gorilla Creative to US students pursuing film, television, or multimedia degrees. Applications accepted year-round with awards in January and May.

A documentary grant program funded by Gucci that operated through Tribeca Film Institute from 2008 to 2020, supporting 105 films with $1.5 million in grants. Gucci's documentary funding moved to Sundance Institute in 2022. The Sundance | Gucci Fund is no longer accepting applications.

A competitive short film showcase at the American Black Film Festival presenting $10,000 to the grand prize winner and $5,000 to each of 4 finalists. Now in its 29th year. Academy Award-qualifying festival.

College scholarships from the Herb Alpert Foundation awarded through CSSSA to young artists in seven disciplines, including film and animation, with top awards of $40,000.

An international film fund from IFFR providing grants of 10,000 to 60,000 euros to filmmakers from developing countries for development, co-production, and post-production of feature films.

Funding programs from the International Documentary Association including the Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund ($25,000 per project), Logan Elevate Grant ($30,000 per filmmaker), and the IDA Documentary Awards, supporting documentary filmmakers at all career stages.

Production grants of $25,000 from the International Documentary Association for feature documentaries addressing social and environmental issues, with an annual rotating theme.

A UAE-based media company offering training programs, script development open calls, and production funding for Arab and Emirati filmmakers through Arab Film Studio and international co-productions.

The official student film competition at the Festival de Cannes, selecting 15-20 student films from film schools worldwide for screening in the Official Selection. Cash prizes from EUR 7,500 to EUR 15,000.

An Oscar-qualifying short film competition at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival offering $4,000 cash prizes per category, screening at TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood, and industry access through LALIFF Connect: Market and Creative Forum. 25th edition May 27-31, 2026.

A co-production lab and talent development program at the Locarno Film Festival for filmmakers from 42 African countries (2025-2028 cycle). Offers a CHF 50,000 grant, EUR 8,000 CNC prize, and EUR 6,000 Arte Kino prize. Onsite program August 5-10, 2026.

The MPA does not offer tuition scholarships. It runs a paid Entertainment Law and Policy Fellowship for recent graduates, the MPA APSA Academy Film Fund ($25,000 per project for Asia Pacific filmmakers), and sponsors the LATC Online Global Film and TV Program for emerging filmmakers worldwide.

Script development grants from the Motion Picture Association and Asia Pacific Screen Academy supporting feature film projects from the Asia-Pacific region. Exclusive to APSA Academy members.

Scholarships from the NAACP Hollywood Bureau and Society Awards for Black students and students of color pursuing degrees in visual and performing arts, including film, theater, photography, and mass communications. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000.

Programs from the National Association of Latino Independent Producers supporting Latino content creators through project development, production grants, mentorship, and industry access. The Accelerator selects 12 teams for market meetings; the Director Incubator awards $35,000 per short film.

Annual grants from the National Board of Review awarding $500 to $5,000 to student filmmakers at participating New York-area and select national film programs. Over 60 student films screened and awarded each year.

Graduate scholarships for Latino students at eight select US universities (Yale, Harvard, Columbia, NYU, Northwestern, UCLA, USC, UT Austin) pursuing degrees in film, theater, broadcast communications, entertainment law, or entertainment business. Deadline July 31.

Netflix's $100 million five-year global investment fund supporting training, mentorship, and job placement for underrepresented talent in film and TV. Distributes through partner organizations worldwide, with $41M spent on 200+ programs across 50+ countries as of 2024.

Annual scholarships from NYWIFT for women studying film and television at seven New York area institutions, plus a $5,000 national preservation scholarship established in 2025.

Annual cash grants from NewFilmmakers Los Angeles awarding $35,000 across six grants in 2026 to emerging filmmakers worldwide, supporting projects at any stage from development through distribution.

Two $2,000 awards from the National Society of High School Scholars for members graduating 2026 through 2029 who submit a 5-minute film representing a day in their life.

Equipment grants providing Panavision camera and lens packages at little to no cost to aspiring filmmakers in the US and Canada, subject to availability and specific equipment restrictions.

A competitive fellowship for documentary filmmakers at the Camden International Film Festival, offering mentorship, a public pitch to funders, and industry access in Maine.

A $15,000 unrestricted cash grant for emerging US-based film directors, awarded through a nomination process by accredited universities and nonprofit training programs.

Free after-school and summer filmmaking programs for NYC teens ages 13 to 21, pairing students 1:1 with professional filmmaker mentors across documentary, narrative, animation, and broadcast journalism labs.

A $1,000 to $5,000 scholarship from the Illuminating Engineering Society San Francisco Section for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing lighting-related studies, including film and TV lighting, in the Pacific Northwest region.

The Roger and Chaz Ebert Foundation provides a $25,000 grant to emerging nonfiction directors through the Truer Than Fiction Award at the Spirit Awards, plus director awards at major film festivals.

Government-backed film funding for Scotland-based filmmakers offering development grants of 3,000 to 50,000 pounds and production grants of 100,000 to 500,000 pounds.

A production grant program from ScreenCraft awarding up to $30,000 per project to filmmakers at any stage, from treatments to fully packaged projects seeking finishing funds. Runs in spring and fall cycles with a $59.99 entry fee.

Sony Pictures Television's studio-wide pipeline program for emerging actors, writers, and directors from underrepresented backgrounds, offering training, mentorship, and showcase opportunities across the SPT ecosystem. Actors program runs mid-August to mid-September 2026 in Culver City.

A touring filmmaker program paying documentary filmmakers to screen completed films and lead Q&As across nine Southern states. $25 entry fee, deadline April 10, 2026. Includes screening honoraria, paid travel, and per diem.

Annual student film competition from AMPAS awarding $5,000, $3,000, and $2,000 cash grants across four categories to college and university filmmakers worldwide.

Year-long fellowship from Sundance Institute and Adobe for filmmakers ages 18-25, selecting 10 fellows annually for mentorship, a lab at MassMoca, and Sundance Film Festival access.

Multiple fellowship and scholarship programs from the Sundance Institute offering grants from $5,000 to $20,000, mentorship, and lab access to underrepresented and emerging filmmakers.

A multi-track program from Sundance Institute supporting Native and Indigenous filmmakers through the Native Lab, Merata Mita Fellowship ($25,000+), and Graton Fellowship ($25,000 each for 2 fellows). Open globally to Indigenous artists.

Government production grants from Taiwan's Ministry of Culture for feature-length films, awarding up to TWD 100,000,000 (~$3M USD) for international flagship projects across four categories.

Annual survey of Hollywood's most-liked unproduced screenplays, plus an online evaluation platform ($30/month hosting, $100/evaluation) and free annual labs for selected writers.

Completion grants from The Caucus Foundation for undergraduate and graduate students at accredited US institutions finishing thesis film, TV, or interactive projects. Awards range from $1,000 to $10,000.

$40,000 grants for environmental documentary filmmakers, with yearlong mentorship, cohort fellowship, and a second-year funding opportunity. US-based, feature-length nonfiction only.

TIFF's suite of talent development programs including Directors' Lab, Writers' Studio, Series Accelerator, and Every Story Accelerator. Selects 20 directors, 8 screenwriters, and 8 series creator teams annually for mentorship during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Filmmaker funding and development programs run by Tribeca Festival and Tribeca Studios, including the $1.2M AT&T Untold Stories prize, Through Her Lens for women filmmakers, and COLECTIVO for Latinx creators. The Tribeca Film Institute (TFI) was dissolved in 2020.

Annual grants from Eastman Kodak and the University Film and Video Foundation offering up to $5,000 in tuition scholarships plus $5,000 in Kodak motion picture product to film students nominated by accredited schools worldwide. Deadline June 1, no entry fee.

A competitive international co-production and financing forum for documentary and hybrid films at the Visions du Reel festival in Nyon, Switzerland. Selects 15 projects in late development from 600+ annual submissions to pitch to commissioning editors, distributors, and co-producers. Part of VdR Industry, which awards 80,000+ CHF in prizes across four categories.

Cash grants and in-kind post-production services for women-directed films in the final stages of completion, administered by Women In Film Los Angeles since 1985.

Production, post-production, and distribution grants from the Berlin International Film Festival for filmmakers in regions with limited film infrastructure. Maximum 60,000 euros per project.

A national arts competition for high school filmmakers ages 15 to 18, awarding cash prizes from $250 to $10,000 and a week-long residency in Miami. $35 application fee, deadline October 6, 2026.