Motion Picture Association Film Funding and Fellowship Programs

Overview

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) is the trade association representing the major Hollywood studios: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Netflix Studios, Paramount Pictures Corporation, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal City Studios, and Warner Bros. Entertainment. Founded in 1922, the MPA advocates on behalf of its member studios on policy, intellectual property, and industry issues.

The MPA does not offer tuition scholarships for film students. Instead, it runs and sponsors several programs that support filmmakers and industry professionals at different career stages:

1. MPA Entertainment Law and Policy Fellowship: A year-long paid fellowship for recent graduates from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), placing fellows at the MPA and its member studios in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
2. MPA APSA Academy Film Fund: Four annual grants of $25,000 USD each for feature film script development, available exclusively to Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) Academy members from the Asia Pacific region.
3. LATC Online Global Film and TV Program sponsorship: MPA regional offices (APAC, EMEA, LATAM) sponsor emerging filmmakers and executives to participate in the Latin American Training Center's online professional development program.
4. Diversity, equity, and inclusion partnerships: The MPA partners with over 60 organizations including the Ghetto Film School, NALIP, CAAM, the Native American Media Alliance, Reel Works, and the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program (EICOP) to support pipeline programs for underrepresented communities.

Filmmakers and students looking for direct tuition scholarships should look at other programs in the Film Scholarships Directory rather than the MPA, which focuses on industry pipeline programs rather than educational funding.

What It Covers

MPA Entertainment Law and Policy Fellowship

A year-long, paid fellowship program launched in 2021 in partnership with the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program (EICOP). The fellowship is the first of its kind at the intersection of entertainment, law, and public policy.

• Duration: One year, with rotations between the MPA and its member studios
• Locations: Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
• Compensation: Stipends for living and housing expenses, plus reimbursement for fellowship-related travel
• Eligibility: Recent and upcoming graduates with advanced degrees in law, public policy, or related fields from HBCUs, HSIs, and other MSIs
• Selection: From over 100 applicants for the inaugural cohort
• Application deadline: February 28, 2025 (for the 2025-26 fellowship cycle)

Previous MPA fellows have gone on to secure roles at companies including Fifth Season Production Company and Walt Disney's Hulu.

MPA APSA Academy Film Fund

Established in 2010 in partnership with the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA), the fund supports feature films at the script development stage.

• Grant amount: $25,000 USD per project, four grants awarded annually (total $100,000 per year)
• Eligibility: Exclusive to APSA Academy members and their colleagues across the Asia Pacific region
• Supported projects to date: 56 projects from 27 countries and areas of Asia Pacific
• Notable supported filmmakers: Lee Chang-dong, Haifaa Al-Mansour, Rolf de Heer, Asghar Farhadi
• Application requirements: One-page synopsis (double-spaced, 12pt), treatment (max 8 pages, double-spaced, 12pt), filmography and biography of attached creatives, first draft script (accepted but at the assessment panel's discretion)

Films produced with assistance from the fund have won the Academy Award, the Silver Bear, the International Emmy, and have screened at Cannes, Venice, and Toronto.

LATC Online Global Film and TV Program

The MPA sponsors participants from its regional offices to attend the Latin American Training Center's flagship online program.

• MPA APAC: Has participated since 2012, sponsoring participants from across Asia Pacific
• MPA EMEA: Partners with FIAPF to sponsor fellows from Africa and the Middle East
• MPA LATAM: Expanded sponsorship to 8 fellows from Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina in recent editions
• Program format: Two-week online program with panels, master classes, pitching training, and a Pitch Panel with Los Angeles-based industry experts
• Target: Emerging filmmakers and experienced professionals seeking to update skills and prepare for international market work

Diversity and Pipeline Partnerships

The MPA's Industry Relations and Advocacy program, established in 2012, partners with over 60 organizations to support workforce development and pipeline expansion. Key partnerships include:

• Ghetto Film School: Supporting young filmmakers in Los Angeles and New York
• NALIP (National Association of Latino Independent Producers): Latino filmmaker pipeline
• CAAM (Center for Asian American Media): Asian American filmmaker support
• Native American Media Alliance (NAMA): Indigenous filmmaker pipeline
• Reel Works: Industry career pathways for youth in New York City and Los Angeles
• EICOP: Industry entry initiatives for students from HBCUs, HSIs, and MSIs
• Atlanta Film Society: Has trained over 5,000 people through industry-facing courses in Georgia
• Women in Animation: Gender parity in animation industry
• Veterans in Media and Entertainment: Industry pathways for military veterans

In 2024, the MPA made 50 grants totaling $3,062,958 to external organizations, including $750,000 to Carnegie Mellon University for research support, $350,000 to the Copyright Alliance, and $272,500 to EICOP.

Eligibility

Eligibility varies significantly by program:

MPA Entertainment Law and Policy Fellowship:

• Recent or upcoming graduates with advanced degrees in law, public policy, or related fields
• Must demonstrate a strong interest in entertainment policy and law
• Must demonstrate commitment to advancing inclusion, community, and belonging in the entertainment industry
• Must be from an HBCU, HSI, or other MSI (for the primary fellowship track)
• Applications are submitted through the MPA website

MPA APSA Academy Film Fund:

• Must be an APSA Academy member or colleague nominated by a member
• Projects must be feature films at the script development stage
• Must be from the Asia Pacific region (as defined by APSA's geographic scope)
• Applications are submitted through the APSA website

LATC Online Global Film and TV Program:

• MPA regional offices select and sponsor participants from their respective regions
• Not open to direct application from individual filmmakers
• Filmmakers in APAC, EMEA, or LATAM regions should contact their regional MPA office for information about sponsorship opportunities

Diversity and Pipeline Partnerships:

• Each partner organization manages its own eligibility criteria and application process
• Filmmakers should apply directly to the partner organization (Ghetto Film School, NALIP, CAAM, NAMA, Reel Works, etc.)
• The MPA does not accept direct applications for these programs

How to Apply

MPA Entertainment Law and Policy Fellowship: Applications are submitted through the MPA website. The application deadline for the 2025-26 cycle was February 28, 2025. Applicants must demonstrate interest in entertainment policy and law and commitment to advancing inclusion in the industry.

MPA APSA Academy Film Fund: Applications are submitted through the APSA website. The fund is exclusive to APSA Academy members. Application materials include a synopsis, treatment (max 8 pages), filmography and biography of attached creatives, and a first draft script.

LATC Online Global Film and TV Program: Filmmakers cannot apply directly. MPA regional offices (APAC, EMEA, LATAM) select and sponsor participants. Filmmakers in eligible regions should contact their regional MPA office for information.

Diversity and Pipeline Partnerships: Each partner organization has its own application process. Visit the websites of the specific organizations (Ghetto Film School, NALIP, CAAM, NAMA, Reel Works, EICOP) for application details and deadlines.

What the Funding Actually Covers

The MPA's programs provide different types of support:

Fellowship: The Entertainment Law and Policy Fellowship provides stipends for living and housing expenses plus travel reimbursement. The fellowship is a full-time, year-long commitment with rotations at the MPA and its member studios. The stipend is designed to cover living costs in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., two of the most expensive cities in the United States. Exact stipend amounts are not publicly disclosed.

APSA Film Fund: The $25,000 per project grant is specifically for script development. This means the funds are intended to support the writing and development phase of a feature film, not production or post-production. Script development grants are less common than production grants, making this fund particularly valuable for filmmakers who have a project concept but need time and resources to develop a shooting script.

LATC Program: Sponsored participation covers the cost of the two-week online program, which includes panels, master classes, networking, and pitching opportunities. The program value is in the professional development and industry connections, not in a cash award.

Who Should Apply

The MPA's programs target different profiles:

• Entertainment Law and Policy Fellowship: Recent law school or public policy graduates from HBCUs, HSIs, and MSIs who want to work at the intersection of entertainment, law, and policy. This is not a filmmaking program. It is a policy and legal fellowship.
• MPA APSA Academy Film Fund: Asia Pacific filmmakers who are APSA Academy members (or colleagues nominated by members) with a feature film project at the script development stage.
• LATC Program: Emerging filmmakers and executives in APAC, EMEA, and LATAM regions who want to build international industry skills and connections. Selection is handled by MPA regional offices.
• Diversity and Pipeline Partnerships: Filmmakers from underrepresented communities should explore the specific partner organizations directly. The MPA provides funding to these organizations, which in turn run their own programs.

Film students looking for tuition scholarships should not apply to MPA programs. The MPA does not offer educational funding. Students should instead look at programs like the BAFTA US Scholarship, the UFVF/Kodak Student Grant, or other opportunities in the Film Scholarships Directory.

Program History

The MPA was founded in 1922 as the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America. It has represented the major Hollywood studios for over a century, evolving from the Hays Code era through the rating system to its current role in global advocacy, intellectual property protection, and workforce development.

The MPA's diversity, equity, and inclusion program was established in 2012 and has grown to include partnerships with over 60 national civil rights and multicultural organizations. The Entertainment Law and Policy Fellowship was launched in 2021 in partnership with EICOP, with inaugural fellows selected from over 100 applicants from Howard Law School and Spelman College.

The MPA APSA Academy Film Fund was established in 2010 and has supported 56 projects from 27 countries over 15 years of collaboration with APSA. The fund has supported filmmakers whose work has won the Academy Award, the Silver Bear, and the International Emmy.

The MPA's sponsorship of the LATC Online Global Film and TV Program has been ongoing for over a decade, with the APAC office participating since 2012, the EMEA office sponsoring fellows from Africa and the Middle East, and the LATAM office expanding to 8 fellows from Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina.

Common Confusions

The MPA does not offer tuition scholarships for film students. Despite being listed in scholarship directories, the MPA does not administer any program that pays tuition for film school. Its programs are industry pipeline initiatives, a legal fellowship, a script development fund for Asia Pacific filmmakers, and sponsorships of professional development programs. Students seeking tuition support should look elsewhere.

The Entertainment Law and Policy Fellowship is not a filmmaking program. The fellowship targets law and public policy graduates who want to work in entertainment policy and law. It is not designed for filmmakers, directors, producers, or screenwriters. Filmmakers looking for career development should explore the LATC program or the MPA's diversity partner organizations instead.

The MPA APSA Academy Film Fund is exclusive to APSA Academy members. Filmmakers who are not APSA Academy members cannot apply. The fund is also limited to the Asia Pacific region, not global.

The MPA does not accept direct applications for most of its programs. The LATC sponsorships are handled by MPA regional offices. The diversity partnerships are administered by the partner organizations. Only the Entertainment Law and Policy Fellowship and the APSA Film Fund have formal application processes.

Past Recipients

The MPA's programs have distinct recipient pools. The MPA APSA Academy Film Fund has the most publicly documented film outcomes:

MPA APSA Academy Film Fund - Established 2010, supporting 56 projects from 27 countries over 15 years. Named recipients and what their funded projects became:

• Asghar Farhadi (2010 recipient) - Received a development grant for Nader and Simin: A Separation. The film premiered at the 2011 Berlinale, won the Golden Bear, and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, and the César for Best Foreign Film. It received over 70 international awards. This is the single most decorated outcome from the fund.

• Lee Chang-dong (2010 recipient) - Received a development grant for Burning, which had its world premiere in Official Competition at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. Lee is a former Korean Minister for Culture and Tourism and a multiple APSA winner (Secret Sunshine, Poetry).
• Haifaa Al-Mansour - Saudi Arabian filmmaker, recipient of the fund. Her Wadjda (2012) was the first feature film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and the first Saudi submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
• Rolf de Heer (2016 recipient) - Australian director, received funding for Mr Ward's Incredible Journey, a race relations story based on real events. De Heer has twice been nominated for APSA awards (Charlie's Country, Another Country).

Films produced with assistance from the fund have won the Academy Award, the Silver Bear, the International Emmy, and have screened at Cannes, Venice, and Toronto. The full recipient list by year is published at asiapacificscreenawards.com.

MPA Entertainment Law and Policy Fellowship - Launched 2021 in partnership with EICOP, with inaugural fellows selected from over 100 applicants from Howard Law School and Spelman College. Previous fellows have gone on to secure roles at companies including Fifth Season Production Company and Walt Disney's Hulu. Individual fellow names are not broadly publicized.

LATC Online Global Film and TV Program - MPA regional offices (APAC since 2012, EMEA, LATAM) sponsor participants. The LATAM office expanded to 8 fellows from Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina in recent editions. Participant names are managed by the regional offices.

What Made Winning Applications Stand Out

Each MPA program selects differently:

• MPA APSA Academy Film Fund: Projects are assessed by the same criteria that apply to films in the APSA competition, films that best reflect their cultural origins, demonstrate cinematic excellence, and are deemed Asia Pacific in origin. The fund is exclusive to APSA Academy members (roughly 1,000 filmmakers from the Asia Pacific region who have won or been nominated for APSA awards). What tends to advance: a feature project at the script development stage with a clear cultural origin, a director with a demonstrated track record (the fund has supported Lee Chang-dong, Asghar Farhadi, Haifaa Al-Mansour, Rolf de Heer), and a treatment and first draft that demonstrate cinematic excellence. Application materials include a one-page synopsis, an 8-page treatment, filmography and biography of attached creatives, and a first draft script.
• MPA Entertainment Law and Policy Fellowship: Selected from over 100 applicants for the inaugural cohort. Applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in entertainment policy and law and a commitment to advancing inclusion in the industry. The fellowship targets recent graduates from HBCUs, HSIs, and MSIs. Strong applications show a clear intent to work at the intersection of entertainment, law, and policy, not just a general interest in the entertainment industry.
• LATC Program: Selection handled by MPA regional offices, not open to direct application. The offices select participants based on regional priorities and the participant's potential to benefit from international market training.

Renewal Requirements

None of the MPA's programs are renewable in the multi-year stipend sense:

• MPA APSA Academy Film Fund: A one-time $25,000 grant per project, specifically for script development. The funds are intended for the writing and development phase, not production or post-production. A recipient can apply again with a new project in a subsequent year, as the fund awards four grants annually, but each grant is tied to a single project and does not renew.
• MPA Entertainment Law and Policy Fellowship: A one-year paid fellowship with rotations at the MPA and member studios. The fellowship does not auto-renew. Fellows who complete the program move into industry roles (previous fellows have secured roles at Fifth Season and Hulu), not into a second fellowship year.
• LATC Program: A one-time sponsored participation in the two-week online program. Participants can be sponsored again in subsequent editions at the regional office's discretion, but there is no formal renewal process.

The MPA's diversity and pipeline partnerships (Ghetto Film School, NALIP, CAAM, NAMA, Reel Works, EICOP) are administered by the partner organizations, each with their own renewal policies. The MPA itself does not set renewal terms for those partner programs.

See Also

For understanding the global film industry, see International Film Markets. For exploring other funding opportunities, browse the full Film Scholarships Directory. For filmmaking terminology, visit the Filmmaker Glossary.