FAQ for Independent Filmmaking Grants

Get answers to common Filmmaking questions by clicking here.

National Foundation for Jewish Culture

The Lynn and Jules Kroll Fund for Jewish Documentary Film provides financial support for post-production of original documentaries that explore the Jewish experience. Grants range from $15,000 to $50,000, and are usually awarded to up to six filmmakers annually.

Get more info here.

Deadline: July 27, 2010

Focus Features' Africa First Program

This uniquely conceived initiative, with funds earmarked exclusively for emerging filmmakers of African nationality and residence, is for the third consecutive year offering eligible and participating filmmakers the chance to be awarded $10,000 in financing on their narrative short film made in continental Africa and tapping into the resources of the film industry there.

Get more info here.

Deadline: Monday, August 3rd, 2010

National Endowment for the Arts

The National Endowment for the Arts supports organizations that are involved in a broad spectrum of activity in the media arts - film, video, audio, and other forms of digital and Web-based media. The Access to Artistic Excellence Grant encourages and supports artistic creativity, preserves our diverse cultural heritage, and makes the arts more widely available in communities throughout the country.

Get more info here.

Deadline: August 12, 2010

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES

An independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities.

Get more info here.

Deadline: Applications must be received by Grants.gov on or before August 18, 2010, for projects beginning in April 2011.

National Geographic Society Foundation

The All Roads Seed Grant Program funds film projects by and about indigenous and underrepresented minority-culture filmmakers year-round and from all reaches of the globe. The program seeks filmmakers who bring their lives and communities to light through first-person storytelling.

Get more info here.

Deadline: September 15th and December 15th, 2010 (Submission deadlines are quarterly on each 15th of March, June, September, and December)

The NEA American Recovery & Reinvestment Act

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides $50 million to be distributed in direct grants to fund arts projects and activities which preserve jobs in the non-profit arts sector threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support during the current economic downturn.

See the step-by-step instructions for registering here.

Deadline: Various deadlines for different grants.

The Fledgling Fund

The Fledgling Fund seeks to improve the lives of vulnerable individuals, families, and communities by supporting innovative media projects that target entrenched social problems.

Get more info here.

Deadline: Begins on August 23rd, 2010 and will close on October 1st, 2010.

Center for Asian American Media Fund

The Center for Asian American Media provides funding and support for provocative and engaging Asian American film and media projects from independent producers. CAAM awards production and completion funds for projects intended for public television broadcast. Since 1990, more than $3 million has been granted to over 150 projects. Funding is made possible with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Get more info here.

Deadline: December 10, 2010

Creative Capital

Creative Capital is a national nonprofit organization that provides integrated financial and advisory support to artists pursuing adventurous projects in all disciplines: Emerging Fields, Film/Video, Innovative Literature, and Performing Arts and Visual Arts.

Get more info here.

Deadline: February 1 – March 1, 2011: Open submissions for projects in Film/Video and Visual Arts

THE PAUL ROBESON FUND FOR INDEPENDENT MEDIA

Supports media activism and grassroots organizing by funding the pre-production and distribution of social issue film and video projects, and the production and distribution of radio projects. In order to qualify, proposed film and video projects must promote social change in their treatment of themes such as political and economic injustice, racial and gender justice, sexual politics, AIDS, censorship, cultural wars, militarism and environmental justice.

Get more info here.

Deadline: At this time there are no current guidelines or deadlines for calendar year 2010.

Film Independent

Each year, Film Independent awards a number of grants to help filmmakers with their current projects, as well as to recognize them for past accomplishment.

Get more info here. 

Deadline: Various deadlines for different grants.

PANAVISION CAMERA (New Filmmaker Equipment Grant)

Through this ongoing program, Panavision donates the use of 16mm or 35mm motion picture camera equipment to filmmakers who are making Public Service Announcements, Showcase Reels, "Low-Budget" Independent Features or any other type of Short, Non-Profit films.

Get more info here. 

Deadline: Not specified.

 Oppenheimer New Filmmaker Equipment Grant Program

The Oppenheimer New Filmmaker Equipment Grant Program supports new filmmakers in producing their first serious film project by awarding the use of their grant program Arriflex 16SR camera package to senior and graduate thesis students and to independent filmmakers for a scheduled period of time.

Get more info here. 

Deadline: Not specified.