Calendar – Past Event

Catapult Film Fund is now accepting applications for Spring, 2012.
New applications are due by May 25th.

Catapult provides development funding to documentary filmmakers who have a compelling story to tell, have secured access to their story and are ready to shoot and edit a piece for production fundraising purposes. Our mission is to enable filmmakers to develop their film projects to the next level at a moment where funding is hard to find. We support powerful stories, and moving storytelling, across a broad spectrum of issues and perspectives.

To apply, you will submit an online form that includes a written application and a completed budget template as attachments. You can download those files now:

Spring 2012 Written Application [.doc]
Budget Template [.xls]

We also require that you submit a resume/CV with your materials. For further preparation, you can review the online application at any time, and when you are ready, submit your application online.

ELIGIBILITY

• Applicants must be 18-years of age or older.
• Catapult does not fund student films.
• Documentaries must be 28 minutes or longer in length.
• Animation is okay.
• Development funds must specifically be used for the process of completing a fundraising piece, which includes writing, shooting and editing once story and characters are in place.
• Applicants must be independent producers. They must own the copyright of their production, and have artistic, budgetary and editorial control over their project.
• Applicants should have previous film or television production experience in a principal role (director, co-director, producer, co-producer) as demonstrated by submitting previously completed work sample. Applicants who have not yet produced or directed their own feature length documentary must demonstrate that they will be working with an experienced filmmaker in a principal role.
• Applicants should be able to demonstrate that they have successfully fundraised for an independent documentary film in line with its original budget.

• Creative, artful, compelling and innovative storytelling techniques
• Strong story narrative at the core of the film
• A unique perspective or approach; use of humor a plus
• Contemporary relevance
• Market potential
• Feasibility of the project with respect to its budget, financing, schedule and scope
• Demonstrated ability of the creative team to implement previous projects
• Grant amount should have significant impact on development stage of the project
• Emphasis on the story not the lesson or agenda of the filmmaker
• Filmmaker must demonstrate credible access and rapport with the proposed subject(s) of the story.
• Originality of form, approach or content
• Potential of the project to generate public discourse and social engagement

• Catapult Film Fund development grants range from $5000 to $20,000.
• Catapult only makes grants to 501(c)(3) organizations. A film production company or individual may submit the application but the applicant needs to submit documentation from the fiscal sponsor before the grant can be processed.
• Catapult accepts only US-based applicants.
• Applicants may submit only one project per funding cycle.
• Previous grant awardees must wait two years before applying for new development funds.
• Catapult may request an interview with the applicant.
• Grantees must submit two financial reports during the course of the grant period: an interim report, which will accompany a narrative report; and a final financial report to be submitted once the grant is complete.
• Grantees must submit at the end of the grant period an edited piece that can be used for production fundraising.
• Catapult Film Fund support must be acknowledged with a tag line and logo–of similar size and stature to other logos in the credits–at the end credits of the film as well as on all publicity and promotional materials relating to the production.
• Catapult will not return DVDs to applicants.