Grant Information

This page last updated: April 20, 2009.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

www.oscars.org
Sponsors grants and fellowships to encourage developing filmmakers.


ACE Silverdocs

GRANT INCREASED TO $25,000 FOR 2009!

ACE (Animal Content in Entertainment) is a program of the Humane Society of the United States and run by the group's Hollywood Office. Its mission is to support and encourage positive Animal issues in television and film.
Playing an essential role in the life of our planet, animals share our world and impact our lives as we undoubtedly impact theirs. Part of the rich canvas of human life, animal stories are our stories and there are many waiting to be told. Through ACE, we aim to support and encourage those involved in all media to find creative and compelling ways to portray animal issues in their work.

Deadline for submissions is April 3, 2009


SILVERDOCS is joining forces with ACE to offer a $25,000 grant to filmmakers for the creation of a documentary of 40 minutes or more highlighting an animal issue.


Cinereach


Cinereach funds artful narrative and documentary films that depict underrespresented perspectives, cross international boundaries, and start meaningful conversations. Film projects that are consistent with Cinereach's ethos favor good storytelling over didacticism, complexity over traditional duality. Cinereach-supported films demonstrate creativity, visual artistry, and take a character-based approach.

In the past, Cinereach has awarded grants from $5,000 to $50,000 per project.

Funding Priorities:
  • Provide insight and stimulate dialogue that leads to positive change
  • Challenge prejudice and work towards universal human rights
  • Empower individuals and communities to work toward global unity

    • Deadlines:
  • Letter of Inquiry: December 1, 2009
  • Full proposals Requested: January 2010
  • Grant Awards Announced: February 2010

    • For grant priorities and guidelines click here

    For additional information about Cinereach and its grants & awards click here


    Corporation for Public Broadcasting

    CPB is a major source of funding for innovative, educational and informational public television programming. Documentary programs and series like Africa: Land of the Sun and Accordion Dreams, children’s series like Arthur and Dragon Tales, and Web sites for programs like People Like Us: Class in America and Ralph Bunche: An American Odyssey, to name just a few from this season’s PBS National Program Service, all received CPB production funding. In addition to the targeted initiatives described below, CPB is always interested in reviewing proposals for high impact, prime-time programming projects that help viewers better understand the complex and volatile world we live in.


    Creative Capital

    Creative Capital Offers film grants of up to $10,000.

    www.creative-capital.org/theprogram/about




    Disney - ABC Television Group The Walt Disney Studios


    2010 Writing Fellowship
    Deadline for application: July 1, 2009
    Please visit: www.disneyabctalentdevelopment.com
    Email: abc.fellowship@abc.com
    Phone: 818.460.6932


    Documentary.org: Fiscal Sponsorship Program Sponsorship


    Documentary.org's Fiscal Sponsorship Program sponsors non-commercial documentary film or video projects in all stages of production.

    For additional information click here


    Documentary Educational Resources

    Documentary Educational Resources will offer their support as a non-profit, fiscal sponsor for independent documentary filmmakers seeking grants. Interested filmmakers should send a letter of inquiry with a brief description and one page budget of their project to:

    Cynthia Close, Exec. Dir. Documentary Educational Resources 101 Morse Street Watertown, MA 02472 FAX: 617-926-9519 docued@der.org.


    Foundation for Jewish Culture: The Lynn and Jules Kroll Fund for Jewish Documentary Film


    The Lynn and Jules Kroll Fund for Jewish Documentary Film supports the completion of original documentaries that explore the Jewish experience in all its complexity. The fund was created with a lead grant from Steven Spielberg's Righteous Persons Foundation and is sustained with major support from the Charles H. Revson Foundation. The priority of the fund is to support projects that address significant subjects; offer fresh, challenging perspectives; engage audiences across cultural lines; and expand the understanding of Jewish experiences.

    Grants from the fund, which generally range in size from $15,000 to $35,000, are awarded to up to six filmmakers annually for post-production support.

    The Foundation is currently evaluating the Lynn and Jules Kroll Fund for Jewish Documentary Film. The new 2009 application is expected to be released online by July 1, 2009, with a due date in early September.

    For more information and updates click here


    The Fund for Women Artists in the West


    The Fund for Women Artists is founded on the belief that women artists have the power to change the way women are perceived in our society. The Fund wants to make sure that artists have full access to the financial and other resources they need to do this crucial work. They focus mainly on women in theatre, film, and video and they have 2 main goals: to challenge stereotpes and to increase opportunities. There are currently 4 grant opportunities available to Oregon women artists:

  • Lilla Jewel Award for Women Artists: The artistic categories rotate and include media and multi-arts, visual arts, and music and/or dance. Grants are offered up to $4,000 and available in Oregon only. This award has emphasis on women of color and lesbians. As of January 2009, this program was temporarily suspended but will resume sometime in the future.

    • For more information contact the MRG Foundation at (503) 289-1517 or info@mrgfoundation.org


  • Women's Vision Film Grants: These grants support female filmmakers in Oregon and SW Washington who tell engaging stories that increase social awareness and tolerance, both within and beyond our immediate communities. Eligible projects must be directed by a woman and must include at least two women in key roles - producer, writer, cinematographer, or editor. Documentary and narrative projects are eligible.

    • For more information contact Film Action Oregon, Women's Vision Film Grants at (503) 493-1128 or ellen@filmaction.org


  • Agape Foundation: The Agape Foundation provides funds for the distribution of films/videos that address peace and justice issues, and is available in Western states only. Grants are available in amounts ranging from $500-$2,000.

    For more information contact the Agape Foundation at (415) 701-8707 or info@agapefn.org


  • Pacific Pioneer Fund: The Pacific Pioneer Fund offers funding in the range of $1,000-$10,000 to support emerging California, Washington, and Oregon documentary filmmakers. Projects must have non-profit fiscal sponsors, which may be based anywhere in the United States.

    For more information contact the Pacific Pioneer Fund at (650) 996-3122 or armin@stanford.edu


    • Hartley Film Foundation: Grant with Fiscal Sponsorship


    The Hartley Film Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to production, cultivation, support, and distribution of the best documentaries and audio meditations on world religion and spirituality. In conjunction with its grants, Hartley also provides filmmakers with fiscal sponsorship services and in return the fiscal sponsees agree to pay Hartley a small percentage of any net profits derived from the film project.

    How to Apply:

    Send proposal to:

    Hartley Film Foundation, Inc.
    49 Richmondville Avenue, Suite 204
    Westport, CT 06880
    Attn: Sarah Masters

    For additional information contact (800) 937-1819 or visit http://hartleyfoundation.org/grants


    Independent Television Service (ITVS)


    ITVS funds, distributes, and promotes new programs primarily for public television. They work with independent producers to create and present programs that take creative risks, advance issues, and represent points of view not usually seen on public or commercial television. ITVS is committed to programming that addresses the needs of underserved and underrepresented audiences. They look for programs that bring new audiences to public television and that expand civic participation by bringing diverse voices into the public sphere.

    For more information on ITVS' various funding programs click here


    Koan, Inc.

    Koan, Inc. is looking for family friendly feature films for distribution to television stations and video vendors worldwide. If you have a completed project or one in production, contact: Roger Bird (435) 645-7244 ext. 144 or by email at rbird@koaninc.com.

    www.koaninc.com


    Licensing Video Rights

    Schlessinger Media is interested in licensing video rights for the U.S. and Canada to educationally-oriented programs. In particular they are looking for new series on literature, world cultures, science, geography, history and math. Any producers with completed educational programs for which non-theatric rights are available should contact:

    Shveta Berry, Acquisitions Coordinator Schlessinger Media
    A Division of Library Video Company
    7 East Wynnewood Road
    Wynnewood, PA 19096
    610-645-4000 x 232
    sberry@libraryvideo.com
    http://www.libraryvideo.com



    Moxie Film Grants

    The Moxie Films Program was established for the sole purpose of facilitating under-served artists. The program presently assists screenwriters, as well as narrative and documentary filmmakers.

    For more information click here



    National Alliance for Media Arts

    The National Alliance for Media Arts & Culture provides an updated list of available grants and has some grant programs of their own.

    www.namac.org


    National Endowment for the Arts - Media Arts


    The National Endowment for the Arts supports organizations that are involved in a broad spectrum of activity in the media arts - film, radio, and television - including the production, exhibition, distribution, and preservation of work; the provision of services to the field; and the training of artists.

    For information on the various grants available for arts projects including arts on the radio and television and grants for preservation/conservation click here


    National Endowment for the Humanities

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


    National Film Preservation Foundation Grants

    The National Film Preservation Foundation (NFPF) was created by the U.S. Congress to save America’s film heritage. Working with archives and others who appreciate film, the NFPF supports preservation activities nationwide that ensure the physical survival of film and improve access to film for study, education and exhibition. The foundation provides grants of $4,000 to $10,000 to nonprofit and public archives for laboratory work to preserve culturally and historically significant film material. Nonprofit funding only.

    www.filmpreservation.org



    Nichols Fellowships in Screenwriting

    www.oscars.org/nicholl


    OMPA: Oregon Media Production Association


    The OMPA Media Arts Education Fund provides scholarships of $300-$1,000 to further opportunities in the following fields: journalism, film, video, audio, photography, and multi-media. Project- or program-based awards may include both cash and in-kind contributions of goods and or services. Scholarships are awarded in three classes: Individual Education Scholarship, Project-Based Scholarship, and Scholastic Program Scholarship.


    Oppenheimer

    Oppenheimer offers a grant to support new filmmakers in producing their first serious film project. The grant awards the use of our Grant Program Arriflex 16SR camera package to senior and graduate thesis students and to independent filmmakers for a scheduled period of time. This specific package, which we have set aside for the grant program, should meet the needs of most 16mm projects. Proposed projects may be of any non-commercial nature: dramatic, narrative, documentary, experimental, etc. Our expectation is that you are working from your own vision, your own creativity and not for someone else (solely for a profit motive). The program does not support commercials, industrials, PSA’s, music videos, or pornography.

    http://www.oppenheimercamera.com/grant.html

    In order to keep the package available for the largest number of filmmakers, feature length film projects are discouraged. The length of time the equipment will be available to any one project will depend on each project and on the pressures of the program. You should realistically plan your schedule. Practically, most grant projects will be expected to use the package for one to two weeks. We have only one Arri 16SR camera in the program; your compliance with the program requirements assures access for the most filmmakers.


    Oregon Arts Commission


    The Oregon Arts Commission offers 8 grant opportunities:

  • Oregon Arts Gap Grant: The Arts Commission offers "Gap Grants" to assist groups in sustaining their operations over the next 6-8 months. Oregon ARTS organizations with 501c3 status, cash operating budgets of $75,000 in FY08, project FY09, and budgeted FY10 are eligible to apply for these funds.

    Application Deadline: 10:00 pm, June 2, 2009

    For more information contact Shannon Planchon at (503) 229-6062 or shannon.planchon@state.or.us, or click here for guidelines and electronic application.


  • Arts Build Communities: Arts Build Communities Grants recognize and support both the arts in local communities and the involvement of the arts and artists in community development. The program recognizes the expanding role arts organizations are taking in the broader cultural, social, educational, and economic areas of community life. Support will be provided to arts and other community-based organizations to form alliances and partnerships to strengthen communities through projects that connect the arts with local issues and opportunities.

    Deadline: October Annually

    For more information contact Brian Wagner at (503) 986-0083


  • Operating Support Grants: Operating Support Grants support the operations of and public access to the programs of Oregon's medium and large not-for-profit arts organizations. The Oregon Arts Commission encourages applications that demonstrate the inclusion of creation, exhibition, or performance of work created by Oregon artists of demonstrated artistic excellence. They are intended for arts groups whose prior year cash operating revenue totaled at least $75,000.

    Postmarked Deadline: Passed

    For more information contact Shannon Planchon at (503) 229-6062 or shannon.planchon@state.or.us


  • Arts Recognition Grants: Arts Recognition Grants are $1,000 awards made to exemplary arts organizations that have a record of excellence in programming, service, and organizational capacity, but have not received other Arts Commission funding. Arts Recognition grants are a visible indication of Commission support and assist in raising an organization's profile and in leveraging other funds and resources. These awards are not for operating support.

    FY2009 Deadline: Passed

    For more information contact Shannon Planchon at (503) 229-6062 or shannon.planchon@state.or.us


  • Individual Artists Fellowship Grants: The Commission recognizes the achievements of Oregon artists and the contributions they make to the cultural health of the state through its annual Artists Fellowship Grants - non-matching $3,000 stipends to a select group of the state's most innovative creators. The Commission will consider applications annually according to artistic discipline.

    2009 Deadline: Passed

    The October 2010 Individual Artist Fellowships are for Oregon artists working in the visual arts. Applications will be available in August 2009.

    For more information contact Shannon Planchon at (503) 229-6062 or shannon.planchon@state.or.us


  • Career Opportunity Grants: Career Opportunity Grants for artists provide financial support to enable Oregon artists to take advantage of opportunities to enhance their career through the development of arts, business, or professional skills to expand marketing capacity and/or to further develop the nature or quality of their artwork. Grant amounts may range from $300-$1,500. All funds have been awarded for FY2009.

    2009 Deadline: Passed

    For more information contact Shannon Planchon at (503) 229-6062 or shannon.planchon@state.or.us


  • Cultural Tourism Grant: The Oregon Arts Commission established the Cultural Tourism Grants to support projects and partnerships that positively impact arts-based cultural tourism activities. This effort advances the Commission's long-range plan calling for stronger links between the arts, culture, the tourism industry, and local economic development. This grant program will support activities undertaken by arts or tourism groups - and especially projects in which both groups collaborate - designed to increase tourism motivated entirely or in part by the arts-related offerings of a community or region.

    Postmarked Deadline: Passed

    For more information contact Shannon Planchon at (503) 229-6062 or shannon.planchon@state.or.us


  • Oregon Media Arts Fellowship: The Oregon Media Arts Fellowship(s) provide financial and other support for production expenses to enable Oregon film or video artists to create or complete new work or works in progress. The Media Arts Fellowship(s) recognize and assist media artists whose work shows exceptional promise and who have demonstrated a commitment to film or video art. The Oregon Arts Commission, the Gordon D. Sondland and Katherine J. Durant Foundation and Oregon Public Broadcasting fund the program. The Media Arts Fellowship program is administered by the Northwest Film Center/Portland Art Museum. Additional support is provided by the Governor's Office of Film and Television and Chambers Communications.

    The 2009 application will be available June 30, 2009.


    • Paul Robeson Fund for Independent Media


    The Fund 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, made by local, state, national or international organizations and individual media producers. The maximum grant award is $20,000; most grants range ebtween $5,000 and $15,000.

    For additional information click here


    The Phelan Art Award

    James D. Phelan Art award in Film of $7,500 is available to a California-born filmmaker whose body of work exhibits high artistic achievement and creativity. Filmmakers born in California, regardless of current residency, are eligible to apply. Contact:

    The Phelan Art Award in Film
    Film Arts Foundation
    145 Ninth St #101
    San Francisco CA 94103
    grants@filmarts.org


    The Roy W. Dean Film & Video Grants


    Roy W. Dean Film and Video Grants offers writing and editing grants.
    For more information on how to apply please visit: fromtheheartproductions.com.


    Standby

    Standby offers low cost sound design and editing assistance to filmmakers.

    www.standby.org



    Student Academy Awards:

    www.oscars.org/saa


    Sundance Documentary Fund

    The Sundance documentary fund supports international documentary films & videos on current & significant issues in human rights, freedom of expression, social justice & civil liberties. Development funds for research & pre-production awarded up to $20,000; works-in-progress funds for production and post-production up to $100,000.

    Contact: Sundance Documentary Fund sdf@sundance.org.


    Filming Hallmark’s “Valley of Light”

    Filming Hallmark’s “Valley of Light”

    Hallmark’s “Valley of Light” starring Chris Klein (“American Pie”, “We Were Soldiers”) and Gretchen Mol (“The Thirteenth Floor”, “Rounders”) was filmed in Clackamas and Marion counties in 2005. With the ability to work within the same time zone, Oregon is extremely attractive to Los Angeles-based studios and production companies. Oregon is also home to a wide variety of talented award-winning filmmakers such as Gus Van Sant, Mike Rich and Todd Haynes.