In between brainstorming your Halloween costume and stockpiling food for winter, you could also be getting money to make your next film. Below, find all the opportunities that grantmakers (and select contests) are offering up this Fall 2017. 

The following opportunities are organized by deadline, from September through very early December, and by category: documentaries, narratives, screenwriting, and new media. If you're looking for a head-start on a different granting season, check out our most recent spring grants, summer grants, and winter grants roundups.

Note: An asterisk next to the grant title means there is an equivalent grant for both doc and narrative films.

As always, read the criteria carefully and use your best judgment when deciding to apply.

Documentary

Whose_country_hot_docs_grant_recipientA still from Hot Docs grant recipient "Whose Country?"

Tribeca Film Institute IF/Then Short Documentary Program: American Midwest

Are you a short documentary filmmaker working or living in the Midwest? Check out this brand new short-film pitch contest! From TFI:

The winners of IF/Then pitch competitions, selected by a professional jury, will be eligible for up to $20,000 in production support from IF/Then as well as ongoing mentorship year-round, and will participate in a year-long distribution initiative managed by Tribeca Film Institute that offers creative control, revenue potential and career development.

Deadline: September 15

ITVS Diversity Development Fund

If you have a diverse background and could use $15,000 in research and development funding for your single nonfiction program for broadcast on public television, check out this fund from ITVS:

We’re looking for exceptional stories by filmmakers from diverse backgrounds: stories that take creative risks, inspire dialogue, and are rarely seen on public media. We are committed to supporting producers of color and creating public media programming that is truly inclusive.

Deadline: September 15

Hot Docs CrossCurrents Doc Fund, Theatrical Stream

Last year, the Panicaro Foundation started underwriting a feature film subsection of the previous CrossCurrent Doc Fund. Now, one emerging filmmaker (under 35 with less than 3 directing credits) can get $30,000 CAD towards their feature. From Hot Docs:

The Theatrical Stream of the CrossCurrents Doc Fund provides grants of up to $30,000 CAD to one or more projects in production each year. This grant will support a new range of filmmakers with auteur driven stories from underrepresented and marginalized communities from around the world. This can reflect up to 50 per cent of the project’s production budget.

Deadline: September 22

Film Independent Documentary Lab

Ten documentaries at the rough-cut stage are chosen for Film Independent's mentorship program that includes exposure to industry professionals, a pass to the LA Film Festival, and year-round mentorship. Some lucky lab attendees will also walk away with around $25K in finishing funds. From FIND:

Through a series of meetings and workshops, the Documentary Lab provides creative feedback and story notes to participating filmmakers, while helping them to strategize for the completion, distribution, and marketing of their films.

Deadline: October 2

SFFILM Women, Peace, and Security Fellowship

Thanks to a grant from the Compton Foundation,  this brand new initiative from SFFILM will give $25,000 to two filmmakers from either the documentary or narrative persuasion who are telling stories of women’s efforts to end conflict and advance peace. From SFFILM:

Created with the goal of inspiring filmmakers to tell stories of courageous women leaders, generate conversation across public audiences, and encourage policymakers to invest in women as essential actors in effective peace-building and violence prevention, the Women, Peace, and Security Fellowship will support a filmmaker dedicated to elevating women’s efforts to end conflict and advance peace. In addition to financial support, SFFILM will provide fellows with connections to advisors with expertise in the subject matter of their film, networking opportunities, and active support from SFFILM staff and from mentors within the Bay Area creative community.

Deadline: October 3

Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship

For filmmakers with an undergraduate degree and a desire to travel for a year to film stories that fall into the themes of the 2018-2019 application, this fellowship could be for you. From Fulbright:

For the 2018-19 competition, the Fulbright-National Geographic Storytelling Fellowship will accept proposals to undertake an in-depth examination of a globally relevant issue. Multi-country projects will compare and contrast how an issue or set of issues is experienced across borders. Utilizing a variety of storytelling tools - including text, photography, video, audio/podcasts, public speaking, maps, graphic illustrations, and/or social media - Storytellers will share their stories, and the stories of those they meet, and publish their work on National Geographic platforms, including a dedicated program blog. Stories deemed by National Geographic to be of interest or merit may be considered for publication on other National Geographic platforms.

Deadline: October 6

I-am-not-your-negro-1200x520A still from ITVS grant recipient, "I Am Not Your Negro."

Screen Australia: Documentary Development

If you're looking to develop an Australian documentary or co-production, you could get up to $30,000 for development from Screen Australia:

Screen Australia’s Documentary Development program assists experienced documentary makers to achieve planned outcomes for the development of their projects. This could include further research, writing the next draft of a script or treatment, strategic shooting and/or editing to attract marketplace development or production finance, or compiling a sizzle reel.

Deadline: October 13 (for November 22 decision) 

Frameline Completion Fund*

For films that reflect the complexity of the LGBTQ community, this grant offers up to $5,000 per film for finishing funds. From Frameline:

For over a quarter century, Frameline has provided more than 140 grants to help ensure that LGBTQ films are completed and viewed by wider audiences. Films finished with assistance from the Frameline Completion Fund include CHAVELA, PARIAH, APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR, CALL ME KUCHU, TO BE TAKEI, LAST CALL AT MAUD'S, THE NEW BLACK, BROTHER TO BROTHER, KUMU HINA, THE COCKETTES, VITO, FREEHELD, WE WERE HERE, and GUN HILL ROAD. 

Deadline: October 31

California Documentary Project: Research & Development Grant

California Humanities offers grants from the California Documentary Project are intended for films that have some kind of connection to California and strengthen the understanding of the humanities for the state, and range up to $10,000. From CalHum:

CDP Research and Development grants are designed to strengthen the humanities content and approach of documentary media productions in their earliest stages. Projects must actively involve at least three humanities advisors to help frame and contextualize subject matter throughout the research and development phase. 

Deadline: November 1

California Documentary Project: Production Grant

If you have a work-in-progress for a film that features humanities in the state of California, the CalHum CDP Production grant can range up to $50,000. From CalHum:

CDP Production grants are designed to strengthen the humanities content and approach of documentary media productions and help propel projects toward completion. Projects must be in the production stage, have a work-in-progress to submit, and actively involve at least two humanities advisors to help frame and contextualize subject matter throughout the production process.

Deadline: November 1

Tribeca Film Institute All Access*

In addition to getting $15,000, five U.S. based narrative filmmakers and five U.S. documentary filmmakers will work with TFI to develop professional relationships within the film industry. From TFI:

Tribeca All Access® seeks feature-length narrative and documentary submissions from established and emerging filmmakers whose team includes a director, producer or screenwriter from a community that is statistically underrepresented in the film industry. Projects may be in any stage of development, from treatment/screenplay to post-production. Projects of any genre and or budget range are welcome to apply.

Deadline: November 6

EURODOC 2018

If you're looking to pitch your documentary to Europe's leading commissioning editors, this networking workshop could be for you. From Eurodoc:

Some participants attending the workshops will come from the documentary departments of the broadcasters or from institutions defending, promoting and funding documentary productions. This will fulfill a long-lasting objective, that of decompartmentalisation of relations between producers, broadcasters and funding partners. These participants greatly contribute to the work of the group. Being in contact with their future partners, understanding their points of view and constraints can be very enlightening to the producers.

Deadline: November 13

HotDocs Ted Rogers Fund 

Starting last year, HotDocs and the Rogers Foundation partnered to offer funds for Canadian documentary filmmakers with films in production. From HotDocs:

In June 2016, Hot Docs and the Rogers Foundation founded the $1-million Hot Docs Ted Rogers Fund to support Canadian documentary filmmakers. Over the coming 10 years, production grants will be distributed to Canadian documentary filmmakers. Up to $20,000 will be granted to three or four projects each year.

Deadline: November 15

Almost_sunrise_stillA still from TFI grant support documentary "Almost Sunrise."

Pacific Pioneer Fund

For filmmakers based in California, Washington, or Oregon, this grant offers $1-$10K to emerging documentarians. From PPF:

To support emerging documentary filmmakers. The term "emerging" is intended to denote a person committed to the craft of making documentaries, who has demonstrated that commitment by several years—but no more than ten—of practical film or video experience. 

Deadline: December 1

Sundance Documentary Fund

A core component of Sundance's Documentary Film Program, this competitive grant looks for artful films about relevant topics, and it can get you $20,000 to $50,000, depending on the application type (Development, Production/PostProduction, Audience Engagement). From the Sundance Institute:

The Sundance Documentary Fund provides grants to filmmakers worldwide for projects that display: artful film language, effective storytelling, originality and feasibility, contemporary cultural relevance, and potential to reach and connect with its intended audience. Preference is given to projects that convey clear story structure, higher stakes and contemporary relevance, forward going action or questions, demonstrated access to subjects, and quality use of film craft.

Deadline: Rolling

The Fledgling Fund

If your documentary has the potential to make a difference when it comes to an important issue, the Fledgling Fund will support outreach and audience engagement strategies to an average $10,000 to $25,000. From the Fledgling Fund:

Grants support outreach and engagement for social issue documentary film and other storytelling projects that have the potential to inspire positive social change around issues that affect the most vulnerable.

Deadline: Rolling

The Bertha BRITDOC Documentary Journalism Fund

This new fund offers £10,000 to 50,000 to doc filmmakers from any country in a mix of grants and investments. From BRITDOC:

The fund supports projects at the intersection of film and investigative journalism that break the important stories of our time, expose injustice, and bring attention to unreported issues, and cameras into regions previously unseen.

Deadline: Rolling

Narrative

Spa_night_-_sundance_2016A still from Film Independent Director's Lab participatint, "Spa Night."

CineMart Co-Production Market*

If you're looking to get your film seen—and possibly financed—by the international film community, CineMart, hosted by the prestigious International Rotterdam Film Festival, is a great place to be. This year CineMart is happening from January 28 - 31. From IRFF:

Our international co-production market offers a selection of 25 carefully curated feature film projects—independent art- house films with market potential. CineMart was the first platform of its kind to offer filmmakers the opportunity to launch their ideas to the international film industry and to find the right connections to get their projects financed. CineMart heralds an important start of the 'film year'.

Deadline: September 7

EAVE Producers Workshop 2018*

For producers looking to join and co-produce with a network of other European producers, this workshop could be valuable. This round of 3 workshops will take place from March 2 - 9 in Luxembourg (LU), June in Stavanger (NO) and October in Santago de Compostela (ES), 2018. From EAVE:

Train, develop, network. A year long programme focused on three intensive weeks featuring professional development through working on the development of fiction and documentary projects. EAVE is aimed at producers, both fiction and documentary, who are already working in the film and television industries who wish to begin to operate on a European wide basis by increasing their knowledge of producing and co-producing in Europe and by building up a pan European professional network. We also welcome applications from associated branches of the industry – e.g. commissioning, funding, legal and finance, festivals & markets, media administration. Each year fifty participants are selected from most of the EU countries and beyond and take part in three one-week long workshops.

Deadline: September 8

Film Independent Directing Lab 2018

Any filmmaker who is attached to an as-of-yet un-produced feature can apply to Film Independent's five week mentorship program that includes exposure to industry professionals, a pass to the LA Film Festival, and year-round mentorship. From FIND:

Under the guidance of established industry professionals who serve as Creative Advisors, Directing Lab Fellows receive script feedback, discuss their visions, and select short scenes from their screenplays to workshop. Each director then casts actors and rehearses their scenes in the Lab before undertaking a mini-production: Film Independent provides Fellows with digital camera, lighting and sound packages and small stipends to shoot their scenes, and offers access to experienced casting directors, cinematographers, and editors with whom to collaborate and consult.

Deadline: September 12 (Extended)

Film Independent Sloan Distribution Grant 2017

If you have a film grounded in real science that's about to enter the distribution phase and could use about $50,000 to help with said distribution, consider this opportunity from FIND:

Eligible films must depict themes, stories and characters grounded in real science, technology or economics. This is the third grant presented by Film Independent and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation; the other two are the annual $30,000 Sloan Producers Grant, awarded to a Film Independent Producing Lab Fellow for a film in development; and a $20,000 production grant, which is awarded to a film represented in Fast Track, Film Independent’s financing market during the LA Film Festival.

Deadline: September 18

Screen Australia’s Feature Film Production Program

If you're an Australian-based filmmaker, you have got to get in touch with Screen Australia. The government film agency throws down major funds for low-budget features, documentaries, and large format programs, including up to 65% of your feature film budget if it meets the criteria. From Screen Australia:

Screen Australia’s Feature Film Production Program aims to assist in the creation of a diverse range of successful Australian films that resonate with their audiences – films that entertain, enlighten and reflect an Australian sense of identity both domestically and internationally.

Deadline: September 22 (for December 6 decision)

The Green Room Filmmaker Fund*

If you're a filmmaker with any projects, including fiction, non-fiction, short films, docs, experimental any stage of production, you could score $50K in their first-ever grant. From The Green Room:

To celebrate the launch of The Green Room – The Global Filmmaker Networking App, and promote independent film making, we have created a film fund of $50,000 to be awarded to projects registered through The Green Room Network. Our International Jury will select the successful projects over four funding rounds. The number of projects selected and their respective funding are at the discretion of the jury and selection committee.

Deadline: September 30

The Roy Dean Grant/From the Heart Productions*

This fall, Roy Dean Grant will give out $3K in cash and over $30K of in-kind services and products, and is open for shorts, docs, and features films with a budget under $500,000. From FTHP:

We fund compelling stories about little known subjects, historical films, and films that touch hearts. We like films that expose, and bring, important information to light; as well as films about little known people when there is a good story.

Deadline: September 30

European Short Pitch 2018

Presented by NISI MASA, the European Network of Young Cinema, this pitch session offers an international short film screenwriter between 18-35 years old a scriptwriting residency workshop and co-production forum. From NISI MASA:

European Short Pitch is an initiative aimed at promoting the European coproduction of short films. It combines a scriptwriting workshop in residency and a coproduction forum bringing together scriptwriters, directors and industry professionals from all over Europe. Selected on the basis of their short film projects, 16 European talents gather to discuss, rewrite, and learn to promote their stories on a European level with the support of 4 tutors. They eventually pitch their projects in front of a panel of professionals: over 55 producers, financers, buyers, and distributors.

Deadline: September 30

Film Independent AbelCine Camera Grant

Are you or someone on your team an LA Film Fest alum or FIND Fellow, and want to shoot on a package that includes Sony PMW-F55 CineAlta 4K? From FIND:

The AbelCine Camera Grant is a program for Film Independent Fellows, alumni of the LA Film Festival and Film Independent Spirit Award Nominees. Film Independent will select a qualified filmmaker who will be loaned a digital camera package (based on availability) to use for his or her feature film production or web series.

Deadline: October 2

SFFILM New American Producer Fellowship*

Are you an independent producer who has recently immigrated to the US? This brand new grant made possible bythe Flora Family Foundation will award  $25,000 and a FilmHouse artist residency in San Francisco to a producer who fits that bill. From SFFILM:

Envisioned to provide a stage for the perspectives of underrepresented filmmakers and to enrich the understanding, empathy, and curiosity of the general public, the New American Producer Fellowship seeks to support the work of new American artists while bolstering the diversity of the SFFILM Makers community and, ultimately, providing meaningful and challenging experiences to public audiences.

Deadline: October 10

SmashCut Film Lab

If you liberty-minded filmmakers could use 100 days and $10K to make your next short film under the guidance of Taliesin Nexus, check this Lab out; this year's focus is on adaptations, from real people to historical events. From Taliesin Nexus:

The SmashCut Film Lab (formerly known as Liberty Lab for Film) is an advanced program for those who have filmmaking, screenwriting, producing experience and want an opportunity to work alongside like-minded creatives with the guidance of seasoned professionals such as Daniel Knauf, (executive producer, NBC’s The Blacklist)  screenwriters Bill Marsilii (Deja Vu, Cold), Paul Guay (Liar Liar), David H. Steinberg (American Pie 2) and Courtney Balaker (Little Pink House)  in developing, writing, filming and editing your short film or web series idea.

Deadline: October 20

ScreenCraft Short Film Production Fund

Brought to you by ScreenCraft and Bondit, if you’ve got a short script or a short film at the early stages of production, you could score $5-$20K in financing and production services. From ScreenCraft:

Every 6 months, up to two filmmakers will be awarded this production grant of up to $30,000 in production funds. We announce the winner(s) 6 weeks after each final deadline.

Deadline: November 1

Tribeca Film Institute AT&T Presents: Untold Stories

This brand new initiative from TFI will dole out serious cash to a diverse storyteller. From TFI:

AT&T will provide funding of up to $1 million for 1 talented filmmaker to create his, her or their film, and Tribeca will provide mentorship from seasoned industry professionals.  AT&T will distribute the winning film across its video platforms, including DIRECTV NOW. This new film initiative is a multi-year, multi-tier alliance between AT&T and Tribeca along with Tribeca Film Institute and debuted at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival.

Deadline: November TBA 

Tribeca Film Institute Sloan Filmmaker Fund

For films with a science or technology (but not sci-fi) element, three to six filmmakers will get funds from $10-$65K for development, production, or post-production. From TFI:

The TFI Sloan Filmmaker Fund provides grants and professional guidance in support of innovative and compelling scripted features or series that offer a fresh take on scientific, mathematic and technological themes. In addition to financial support, grantees will receive professional guidance and mentorship through the Tribeca Film Institute, as dictated by the unique needs and status of the project and the level of experience of the filmmaking team.  This ancillary support may include project notes, networking assistance, and exposure to financing and distribution executives.

Deadline: November 6

Tribeca Film Institute Latin America Fund*

TFI's Latin America Fund offers up to $12,000 for films of any genre that push the boundaries of artistic storytelling. From TFI:

The TFI Latin America Fund supports innovative filmmakers living and working in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America who are working on feature-length scripted, documentary or doc-fiction hybrid films.  Funded films are story-driven and in the advanced stages of development, production or post-production with no existing US or Latin American distribution in place. Whether through unconventional forms or more traditional means, selected storytellers are encouraged to invent, explore and redefine visions and stories that reflect their diverse cultures.

Deadline: November 6

Rei_green_monsters_and_menA still from TFI supported film "Monsters and Men" by Reinaldo Green.

Big Vision Empty Wallet Kickstart Diversity Program

If you have a project—particularly one at the early stages—on which the writer, director, or producer is a woman, person of color, or member of the LGBTQ community, consider applying for this new BVEW opportunity. From BVEW:

Each project will receive creative guidance, mentorship, and a business plan from the Big Vision team, focusing on marketability, audience, and distribution. Extensive Discounts from vendors nationwide (see our PARTNERS here). We’ll use our personal relationships and company partnerships to push each film through to major festivals and programs like Sundance, the Tribeca Film Institute, and Vimeo’s Share the Screen Program. Projects will be granted access to an exclusive Distribution Lab & Marketplace in NYC, focusing on audience building and distribution strategies. Past participating companies include The Weinstein Company, IFC, The Discovery Channel, Vimeo, FilmRise, Zeitgeist Films, Magnolia Pictures, and more.

Deadline: Rolling

Panavision's New Filmmaker Program

If you are a student or a low-budget indie maker, Panavision might supply you with free camera packages. From Panavision:

The New Filmmaker Program loans film or digital camera packages (based on availability) to filmmakers for student thesis films, “low-budget” independent features, showcase reels, Public Service Announcements, or any other type of short not-for-profit project.

Deadline: Rolling

Screenwriting

Script

Black List/Women In Film Feature Lab for Women Writers

For the second year of this grant, supported by Verizon go90, a group of talented screenwriters who identify as female will workshop a feature screenplay. From WIF:

The Black List and Women In Film will invite six to eight promising non-professional screenwriters who identify as women to a weeklong, intensive writers workshop in Los Angeles, CA from February 18-24, 2018. All writers involved in the Lab will workshop one feature screenplay through one-on-one sessions with each screenwriting mentor and in peer workshops. The weeklong program will also include attendance at several story-related events including screenings and Q&As with professional screenwriters and dinner with lit agents and managers.

Deadline: September 7

Sundance/Sloan Commissioning Grant & Fellowship

For writers with a script that has real science, math, or technology in it (note: not science fiction) the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation can give you funds to either develop your idea or take your script to the next level under the guidance of Sundance. From the Sundance Institute on the partnership:

Established in 2005 to support the development of screenplays with science and/or technology themes, the collaboration between Sundance Institute and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation provides two different opportunities for screenwriters through a Commissioning Grant or a Lab Fellowship. Both provide a cash award to support further development of a screenplay, opportunities to retain science advisors, and receive overall creative and strategic feedback throughout the life of the project.

Deadline: September 7

BAFTA Rocliffe Writing Film Call

If you are a UK-based writer with a feature or short film script from any genre, you could be one of three projects selected for a BAFTA showcase and industry introductions for this particular call. From Rocliffe:

Rocliffe in partnership with BAFTA, runs the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition & Showcase, an initiative which has connected scores of aspiring British writers and filmmakers with agents, development executives and established industry members such as Adam Tandy, Kevin Cecil, Greg Daniels, Stephanie Laing, Andy Patterson, Olivia Hetreed, Paula Milne, Andy Harries, Sue Perkins, Jenni Konner, Christine Langan, Mike Newell, Julian Fellowes, Phil Rosenthal, Elizabeth Karlsen, John Madden, Richard Eyre, David Morrissey and David Parfitt. 3 Winning Finalists recievea fantastic Industry showcase at BAFTA's London HQ with professional actors and directors, industry introductions, access to bespoke masterclasses, an in depth script report on your complete screenplay, a featured spot on the Forum List and a tailored career planning and profile building session to provide support in navigating the industry.

Deadline: September 26

American Zoetrope Screenwriting Contest

Here's your chance to win $5,000 and get your script recognized for its compelling narrative by Francis Ford Coppola in the 15th Annual Zoetrope Screenwriting Contest. From American Zoetrope:

The mission of the American Zoetrope Screenplay Contest is to find and promote new and innovative voices in cinema. Every script is read closely by a select handful of professional readers, and Francis Ford Coppola selects a grand prize–winner from among the top ten finalists. The grand prize–winner receives a cash prize, and the scripts of all top ten finalists are sent by Zoetrope to leading production companies and talent agencies for consideration.

Deadline: July 31 (early), September 15 (final)

ScreenCraft Action & Thriller Script Contest

If you have a heart-pumping action or thriller up your sleeve, you could win $1500 plus industry exposure. From ScreenCraft:

One of last year’s winners signed with a top literary management company and has projects in active development! We’re looking for ACTION MOVIES and carefully crafted THRILLERS. Whether you have a tense thriller or a big, effects-driven action film, we want to read your screenplay. Professional feedback from studio-trained readers is available on all entries.

Deadline: October 11 (Final)

Cinequest Screenwriting Competition

The competition associated with the Cinequest Film Festival offers $5,000 for the winning feature script, and $1,000 for a short/teleplay as well as recognition during the Writers Celebration at the fest. From Cinequest:

The Cinequest Screenwriting Competition continues to empower global connectivity between screenwriters, filmmakers, producers, and innovators. Cinequest loves writers, and we welcome you to submit your screenplay or teleplay to our renowned competition. The Top 10 Finalists receive many empowering benefits including: VIP All Access passes to the Cinequest Film Festival and exclusive Writers Celebration, plus exposure to leading industry players and inspiring luminaries.

Deadline: October 13 (Regular), November 3 (Extended)

ScreenCraft Family-Friendly Script Contest

If you have a heart-pumping action or thriller up your sleeve, you could win $1500 plus industry exposure. From ScreenCraft:

One of last year’s winners signed with a top literary management company and has projects in active development! We’re looking for ACTION MOVIES and carefully crafted THRILLERS. Whether you have a tense thriller or a big, effects-driven action film, we want to read your screenplay. Professional feedback from studio-trained readers is available on all entries.

Deadline: Opens Oct 2

New Media

Man wearing VR glasses VR pornography gamelink no filmschool vod on demand

Stereopsia 3D Film Booster (3DFB)*

Taking place from December 10 -13 in 2017, the 3D Mart is now the New 3D Film Booster for those working in 3D Stereoscopic films or VR. From Stereopsia:

3DFB is limited to a small number of participants to ensure personal coaching and strong interaction within the group of participants and coaches. 3DFB extend over three days and has the following two main phases. First, through interactive lectures, participants get information deemed useful (1) for their projects, in particular the latest insights and trends about the 3D film industry & market, the VR revolution, and transmedia storytelling, and (2) for preparing their pitch to potential co-producers and investors. Second, in light of the above, and in close interaction with the coaches, each participant improves his/her project, prepares a project presentation, and pitches it to a panel of potential co-producers and financiers. By pitching their project, participants have a chance to win the Best Project & Pitch Award.

Deadline: September 15

Tribeca Film Institute New Media Fund

If you have a story-driven, non-fiction, interactive project that incorporates storytelling around a social issue, you could be one of two-four projects chosen for a $50,000-$100,000 grant from the Tribeca Film Institute. From TFI:

The TFI New Media Fund provides funding and support to non-fiction, social issue media projects that go beyond traditional screens – integrating video with content across media platforms, from video games and mobile apps to social networks and interactive websites. We’re looking for projects that activate audiences around issues of contemporary social justice and equality around the world and demonstrate the power of cross-platform storytelling and dynamic audience engagement.

Deadline: TBA

POV Digital Lab

If you want feedback from experts from leading media, technology, and venture capital companies about your digital storytelling, keep an eye out for the upcoming announcement of this weekend incubator. From POV:

POV Digital Lab is a weekend media incubator with a track record of launching funded, highly viewed, and Webby- and Emmy-award nominated media. How will you re-invent the future of storytelling?

Deadline: TBA

Alfred P. Sloan Foundation New Media Grants

If you have a films that incorporates all that is cool about science and you have a fiscal sponsor that can accept the award for you (like the Sloan-funded VR film about LIGO) like this New Media grant could be worth exploring. From Sloan:

Program goal: Advance public understanding and engagement with science through the support of innovative projects that use a range of media to reach a broad, cross-cultural audience. Grants support both traditional and web-native media that fall outside the other Public Understanding programs. ​Supported media types include opera, dance, music, museum exhibits, interactive games, smartphone apps, ebooks, web-native video, conferences, art and science festivals, and other cultural events.

Deadline: Rolling


Useful Links:

o   Ten Best Screenwriting Contests of 2016

o   IFP’s Guide to Granting Organizations — IFP

o   POV's Documentary Funding Calendar — PBS 

Keep an eye on our Grants, Contests & Awards section where we will be sharing new opportunities that come up throughout the season.

Do you know of a grant or other opportunity that's not listed here? Share in the comments!      

Header image from "The New Black" by Yoruba Richen, recipient of the Frameline Completion Fund.