Here is the latest installation of great funding opportunities coming up this summer. There is money to be had. Go for it!
IDFA BERTHA FUND
The IDFA Bertha Fund is the only fund in the world dedicated solely to stimulating and empowering the creative documentary sector in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Eastern Europe. The fund is looking for new creative documentary projects which can be submitted in project development, production, and post production.
Deadline: May 15th, 2014
SHAW MEDIA-HOT DOCS FUNDS
Established in April 2008, the Shaw Media-Hot Docs Funds consist of a $3-million Completion Fund and a $1-million Development Fund that aim to provide Canadian documentary filmmakers with much needed financial support at critical stages in their projects. Hot Docs will manage and disperse the Funds’ benefit monies over a seven-year period.
Deadline: May 21, 2014
WOMEN IN FILM FINISHING FUND
The Women In Film Foundation's Film Finishing Fund (FFF) supports films for or about women by providing cash grants of up to $15,000 and in-kind services.
Early Deadline: May 23, 2014
Final Deadline: June 6, 2014
FILM INDEPENDENT PROJECT INVOLVE
Project Involve is Film Independent’s signature diversity program dedicated to cultivating the careers of filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the industry. The program, which runs from October through June, selects filmmakers from diverse backgrounds and filmmaking tracks—a mix of writers, directors, producers, DPs and editors, as well as those seeking work in acquisitions, marketing, distribution and agencies.
Deadline: May 31, 2014
NEH - BRIDGING CULTURES THROUGH FILM: INTERNATIONAL TOPICS
The Bridging Cultures through Film: International Topics program supports documentary films that examine international and transnational themes in the humanities. These projects are meant to spark Americans’ engagement with the broader world by exploring countries and cultures outside of the United States. Proposed documentaries must be analytical and deeply grounded in humanities scholarship.
Deadline: June 11, 2014
HOT DOCS BLUE ICE GROUP DOCUMENTARY FUND
The Hot Docs-Blue Ice Group Documentary Fund is a grant program providing financial support to African documentary filmmakers for development and production. Development grants of $3000 - $8000 and production grants of $5000 - $40,000 are awarded to approximately four to 10 projects annually.
Applications open: June 20, 2014
POV CALL FOR ENTRIES FOR 2015 BROADCAST SEASON
POV, public television's premier showcase for independent,
nonfiction film seeks programs from all perspectives to showcase in its
annual PBS series. All subjects, aesthetic approaches and lengths are
welcomed.
Deadline: June 30, 2014
VALENTINE FOUNDATION
The Valentine Foundation funds fiscally sponsored projects that produce significant change in the social, economic and political systems and institutions that impact the lives of women and girls in order to make those lives more equitable. Primary focus is on organizations that serve the Greater Philadelphia area or that have national impact with a local connection.
Deadline: June 30, 2014
FLEISHHACKER FOUNDATION
The Fleishhacker Foundation makes grants to film projects within its Small Arts Grants Program. Applications are only accepted for the post production phase of the project based on rough cut. Most grants are in the range of $2,000 - $5,000. Artists may only apply once for any given film project, and a Bay Area arts organization is preferred to serve as the fiscal sponsor.
Deadline: July 15, 2014
NUVOTV - NU POINT OF VIEW FOR EMERGING LATINO FILMMAKERS
Nu Point of View is looking for the next group of emerging Latino filmmakers and is accepting film submissions for a brand new showcase with a possibility to earn up to $3000. Shorts, features and documentaries are accepted. The film must be relevant to NUVOtv which focuses on the Modern Latino. Films must be in English.
Deadline: July 31, 2014
HUBERT BALS FUND
The Hubert Bals Fund of International Film Festival Rotterdam supports filmmakers from developing countries with contributions in the stages of script development, post-production and distribution. Annually, between 20 to 40 film productions are realised with the support of the Hubert Bals Fund.
Deadline: August 1, 2014
NEH - GRANTS FOR MEDIA PROJECTS
This grant is for broadcast length projects - stand alone films or series. There are two categories: Development (up to $75K) and Production/Post Production (up to $650K).
Deadlines: August 13, 2014
OPEN MEADOWS FOUNDATION
Open Meadows Foundation is a grant-making organization seeking projects that promote gender/racial/economic justice. The projects must be led by and benefit women and girls, particularly those from vulnerable communities. Organizational budget should not exceed $150,000.
Deadline: August 15, 2014
NEH FUNDING – DIGITAL HUMANITIES START-UP GRANTS
The NEH funds programs that reach the general public (digital projects, museum exhibitions, radio, library events, documentaries etc.). This digital projects category presents a new funding initiative such as games, apps, websites, immersive experiences etc. There is no emphasis on innovation in terms of technology. There are two stages of planning including Discovery (up to $25K) and Prototyping/Testing (up to $100K).
Deadline: September 11, 2014
CATAPULT FILM FUND
The fund 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. Catapult's mission is to enable filmmakers to develop their film projects to the next level at a stage where funding is hard to find.
Applications open: July 14, 2014
Deadline: August 25, 2014