DOCUMENTARY
IFP Independent Documentary Lab
Submit your rough cut to the long-standing support of independent film for a year-long mentorship program that supports first time filmmakers. Focusing exclusively on low-budget features, this highly immersive program provides filmmakers with the technical, creative and strategic tools necessary to launch their films – and their careers. Deadline: March 7
Vision Maker Media – Public Media Content Fund
A grant that funds part of the budget for Native American stories that appeal to broad audiences. Vision Maker Media invites proposals for programs intended for Public Television that represent the experiences, values, and cultures of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Awards for research and development range from $5,000 to $20,000; awards for production or completion can be up to $100,000; and, new media awards range from $5,000 to $20,000. Deadline: March 10
Bertha BRITDOC Connect Fund
This joint initiative between Bertha Foundation and BRITDOC is the first European based fund open to filmmakers from anywhere with outreach campaigns. The fund is looking to support smart, strategic outreach campaigns for ambitious independent documentary films with a social issue at their core. Deadline: March 24
Independent Lens
This well curated PBS series offers a handsome sum for broadcast distribution of films each season. Independent Lens is currently seeking submissions of films in advanced rough cut or fine cut stage or completed films to broadcast during the October 2014 – June 2015 season. Deadline: March 28
Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund
Each year, $95,000 worth of grants are doled out to documentaries about pressing issues in the United States. Grants will be made to up to 6 projects that tell a compelling story and focus on one of Pare Lorentz’s central concerns—the appropriate use of the natural environment, justice for all or the illumination of pressing social problems. Deadline: March 31
NARRATIVE
Women In Film/Netflix Finishing Fund
The Film Finishing Fund provides cash grants and in-kind production services to complete films that fit the established criteria of being by, for or about women. The works-in-progress are viewed by a special jury of WIF professionals that selects the winning submissions. Deadline: Opens March
The David Ross Fetzer Foundation for Emerging Artists
The Davey Foundation was created to honor the life of David Ross Fetzer and his commitment to the film and theatre arts. The Foundation is excited to make available grants to artists 35 and younger for the development of innovative film and theatre projects, and to provide the mentoring framework that will allow the Davey grantee to flourish. Deadline: March 15
SCREENWRITING
Showtime’s Tony Cox Screenplay Competition
This screenplay competition from Nantucket Film Festival gives cash prizes and VIP festival access to winners with scripts for short films, feature films, 30-minute TV Pilots and hour-long TV pilots. The competition gives writers the opportunity to have their scripts read by a prestigious jury, receive top industry recognition, participate in a Festival focused specifically on screenwriting, including a Mentor’s Brunch with the Festival’s Screenwriters Tribute, and win over $7,000 in total cash prizes. Deadline: March 3 (regular), March 10 (late)