This grant provides early-stage funding to documentary filmmakers during the critical development phase, supporting the creation of a fundraising piece and facilitating the exploration of new nonfiction film ideas. It offers tailored support to independent storytellers and focuses on innovative narratives with contemporary relevance.

Benefits

• Development grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 USD.
• Research grants of $10,000 USD for filmmakers in the early conception phase of new projects.
• Support for research, writing, travel, crew, and preliminary production costs.
• Access to mentorship, editorial feedback, and industry connections.
• Guidance for creating impactful fundraising materials to unlock production funding.
• Opportunities to promote awarded projects through the program’s platform and network.
• Support throughout the project lifecycle, including feedback on artistic and narrative direction.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be 18 years or older and not enrolled in an academic institution.
• Documentary projects must be in development or early production, with a minimum intended length of 28 minutes.
• Applicants must own the copyright and maintain creative and editorial control of their project.
• Applicants must have prior production experience or collaborate with experienced filmmakers.
• Research grant applicants must be mid-career filmmakers with at least seven years of experience and two feature-length documentaries completed in a principal role.
• The research grant is open to U.S.-based filmmakers only.
• Applicants must use grant funds solely for the development and research phase; no funds can be used for production, post-production, or promotional materials.
• Grants must be accepted through a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor to receive funding.

Selection Criteria

• Artful, compelling storytelling with a preference for character-driven narratives.
• Originality in approach, content, and form.
• Creative and innovative storytelling techniques.
• Contemporary relevance with a unique perspective or style.
• Connection of the filmmaker to the story.
• Feasibility in terms of budget, schedule, and scope.
• Demonstrated track record of the creative team or evidence of comparable experience.
• Potential to generate public discourse and social engagement.
• Specificity in how the grant will be used to shape the project.

Key Dates

• Research Grant Process:
  • Letter of Intent (LOI) submission opens in early fall.
  • Selected applicants invited to submit full applications in late November.
  • Grantees announced in early spring.
  • Program runs from March through September, including orientation, mentorship meetings, group sessions, and a final presentation.
• Development Grant Process:
  • Applications are open once per year.
  • Confirmation of receipt provided via email after submission.

Guidelines

• Grant funds must result in a fundraising piece for development grants or preliminary research deliverables for research grants.
• Unused funds must be returned to the grant provider.
• Grantees must acknowledge grant support in film credits and promotional materials.
• Two financial reports are required: an interim report with a narrative update and a final report upon grant completion.
• Applications not selected can be resubmitted with updates reflecting new developments.