Women In Film Finishing Fund
Grants from Women In Film Los Angeles providing finishing funds to narrative and documentary films directed by women and non-binary filmmakers.
Overview
The Women In Film (WIF) Finishing Fund provides grants to narrative and documentary feature films directed by women and non-binary filmmakers. The fund targets projects in the final stages of post-production that need financial support to reach completion. Since its inception, the Finishing Fund has supported over 100 films, many of which have gone on to premiere at major festivals including Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, and Toronto.
Women In Film is one of the most established advocacy organizations for women in the entertainment industry, founded in 1973. The Finishing Fund is a central part of WIF's mission to advance the careers of women behind the camera by providing the resources that help transform near-complete projects into festival-ready films.
The fund has a strong track record of supporting films that achieve significant visibility after completion. WIF Finishing Fund recipients have gone on to win awards at major festivals, secure distribution deals, and launch or advance their directing careers.
What It Covers
- Cash grants of up to $25,000 for post-production expenses including editing, color grading, sound mixing, music licensing, and deliverables
- WIF membership -- grantees receive membership in Women In Film, providing access to networking events, screenings, and career development programs
- Festival support -- WIF provides guidance on festival strategy for completed films
- Industry visibility -- funded films are promoted through WIF's networks and events
Eligibility
The film must be directed by a woman or non-binary filmmaker. Projects must be feature-length (narrative or documentary) and in the final stages of post-production. The film must not have premiered publicly before the application. Both US and international filmmakers are eligible, though the program has historically favored US-based projects. There are no restrictions on budget level, though the fund is designed for independent productions.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through the WIF website. Submissions include a rough cut or near-final cut of the film, a post-production budget showing remaining costs, a director's statement, and a producer's statement. The application deadline is typically in spring or summer. There is no application fee.
Who Should Apply
Women and non-binary directors whose feature films are in the final stages of post-production and need financial support to complete picture lock, sound mix, color grade, or other finishing work. The fund is ideal for independent films that are close to completion but need a final push to reach festival-ready quality.
See Also
For post-production planning, use the Post-Production Timeline Calculator. For understanding distribution strategy after completion, see Distribution Deals Explained.
