Film Grants

arts

Grants awarded by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences reflect fundamental goals of the Academy – to advance the art and science of motion pictures and to foster cooperation among the creative leaders of the motion picture industry for cultural, educational and technical progress.

The Academy's FilmWatch, FilmCraft and Film Scholars grants programs are on hold - For more information please visit their website.

THE EMMYS: SUNCOAST CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP

• Applicant must reside within the SUNCOAST REGION that includes the State of Florida, the State of Louisiana, the Mobile–Pensacola Market area and Puerto Rico and MUST plan to attend or currently attend an accredited college or university in the SUNCOAST REGION.
• Be a high school graduating senior or a college student (undergraduate student ONLY) with a declared major in Communications/Broadcasting with a concentration in television.
• Applicant MUST already be accepted to a college/university.
• Have a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Submit an unofficial transcript.

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ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES FOUNDATION COLLEGE TELEVISION AWARDS

The 46th College Television Awards will return in 2027! The College Television Awards is a major TV Academy Foundation competition, which recognizes excellence in college student film/video productions. It is national in scope, accepting entries each year from scores of colleges and universities. Entries may be submitted in the following categories:

- Children’s Programs
- Comedy
- Music Programs
- News, Sports & Magazine Shows
- Animation: Non-Traditional (computer-generated)
- Drama
- Documentary
- Animation: Traditional
- Magazine Shows

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CATAPULT FILM FUND

Catapult Film 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. Their mission is to enable filmmakers to develop their film projects to the next level at a stage where funding is hard to find. Catapult gives early support to propel projects forward that hold the promise of a unique story that should be told in film. Catapult supports powerful stories and moving storytelling across a broad spectrum of issues and perspectives. Catapult supports of a range of films, from individual portraits to stories with global implications. Catapult grants are up to $20,000 each.

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CREATIVE CAPITAL FOUNDATION GRANT

The Creative Capital Foundation, a New York City-based nonprofit organization, supports U.S. artists who pursue innovation in form and content in the performing and visual arts, film and video, and in emerging fields. Creative Capital works in partnership with the artists it funds, providing advisory services and professional development assistance along with multi-faceted financial aid and promotional support throughout the life of each project.

Creative Capital will support approximately twenty projects in each of the two categories at initial levels ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. With additional financial support provided by Creative Capital, a project may receive up to $50,000 throughout the life of the grant.

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FILM FLORIDA GRANT PROGRAMS

1. Don Davis Film Finishing Fund: The Don Davis Film Finishing Fund annually provides cash and in-kind production services to deserving filmmakers needing help to complete their film projects. The projects submitted have a broad range of subject matter and are judged by a committee of top industry professionals. As its name implies, the goal of the fund is to provide financial and/or in-kind support to filmmakers in order to finish their films. This is done through an annual judging processing.
   
   
2. Emerging Filmmakers Fund: The Florida Emerging Filmmakers Fund provides cash in the amount of $1,000 – $2,000 per project to deserving filmmakers needing help for their film projects. In addition to cash, projects selected for the Emerging Filmmakers Fund will receive mentorship from an industry professional throughout the project. Eligible projects submitted may include a broad range of subject matter and are judged by a committee of top industry professionals within Film Florida. As its name implies, the goal of the fund is to provide financial support to emerging filmmakers in Florida.

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IFP FISCAL SPONSORSHIP

The Independent Filmmaker Project Fiscal Scholarship is exclusively for creative, artistic and/or educational film, video and transmedia projects. IFP’s Fiscal Sponsorship program is a legal and financial mechanism by which IFP, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, serves as a conduit for financial resources, and provides some support and oversight for independently produced film projects. IFP’s Fiscal Sponsorship program also offers financial, administrative, and mentorship services, competitive administrative fees, and the reliability of working with an established filmmaker support organization.

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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.

Two sources of funding include:
Local Independents Collaborating with Stations (LINCS) Fund

Incentive or matching money to create partnerships between public television stations and independent producers. Projects in any genre or stage of development will be considered.

Open Call
Looking for fresh programs that will bring new audiences to public television to expand civil participation by bringing new voices into the public discourse.

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NATIONAL ENDOWMENT for the ARTS

The NEA is committed to supporting excellent arts projects for the benefit of all Americans. Activities funded through Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) enable Americans throughout the nation to experience the arts, foster and celebrate America’s artistic heritage and cultural legacy, and benefit from arts education at all stages of life. We also support arts and health programs, including creative arts therapies, that advance the well-being of people and communities.

1. Grants for Arts: We fund arts projects in the following disciplines: Arts Education, Challenge America, Dance, Design & Our Town, Folk & Traditional Arts, Literary Arts, Local Arts Agencies, Museums, Music, Opera, Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works, Theater & Musical Theater, and Visual & Media Arts.

2. Our Town: grants support creative placemaking projects that integrate arts, culture, and design in efforts to advance local economic, physical, and other community-desired outcomes. Projects must be place-specific (such as a community, neighborhood, or cultural district) and should focus on community priorities.

3. Challenge America: is limited to applications that meet all three of the following criteria:

   • The applicant organization had an operating budget of less than $250,000 in their most recently completed fiscal year, and
   • The proposed project is specifically focused on activities for underserved groups/communities (defined as those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited relative to geography, ethnicity, economic status, or disability), and
   • The requested award amount is $10,000.

   To apply, visit Grants for Arts Projects programs.

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NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES: PUBLIC PROGRAM GRANTS FOR MEDIA PROJECTS

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

The Media Projects program supports the development, production, and distribution of radio programs, podcasts, documentary films, and documentary film series? that engage general audiences with humanities ideas in creative and appealing ways. Projects must be grounded in humanities scholarship and demonstrate an approach that is thoughtful, balanced, and analytical. Media Projects offers two levels of funding: Development and Production.  

Apply here.

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OOLITE ARTS

The Oolite Arts Cinematic Residency supports South Florida filmmakers in the transition from short-form work to their first feature-length films by providing the resources, mentorship, and professional support necessary to develop and produce ambitious microbudget cinema. Open Call June 1 - July 31, 2026
Must be a full time resident of South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach or Monroe counties).

To find out more or apply click here.

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PANAVISION'S NEW FILMMAKER PROGRAM

Panavision® believes in helping students and beginning filmmakers achieve their dreams. More than 25 years ago, Panavision launched the New Filmmaker Program (NFP), an ongoing grant program that loans camera packages to film schools, training programs, and independent filmmakers at little or no charge.
The NFP loans digital camera packages (based on availability) to filmmakers for student thesis films and low-budget independent features, showcase reels, Public Service Announcements, or any other type of short not-for-profit project. 

There is no deadline for filmmakers, the grant is available all year round.

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SAFETY FOR SARAH STUDENT SAFETY GRANT PROGRAM

The Safety For Sarah Student Safety Grant Program provides $2,500 in safety grants to university film students for needs like permits, off-duty police for intermittent traffic control, safety personnel, etc.

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THE DON & GEE NICHOLL FELLOWSHIPS in SCREENWRITING

The Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting program is an international competition open to screenwriters who have not earned more than $5,000 writing for film or television. Entry scripts must be the original work of a sole author or of exactly two collaborative authors. Entries must have been written originally in English. Adaptation and translated scripts are not eligible. Up to five $30,000 fellowships are awarded each year.

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THE FILMMAKER FUND

In the spirit of fostering great work, the Filmmaker Fund is committed to both proven and emerging filmmakers with assistance at every stage of production and post-production. Primarily, our role is to remove the obstacles that lie in the way of great work. From early stage funding, through production, to a DCP, it is our aim to alleviate artistic encumbrances.

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THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT of CULTURAL AFFAIRS

The Florida Department of Cultural Affairs offers multiple grants for both organizations and individuals, this site provides resources for grant applicants and recipients.

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THE ROY W. DEAN FILM & VIDEO GRANTS

The Roy W. Dean Film Grant funds short films, documentaries, and independent features, and web series that are budgeted under $500,000. They must be films that are unique and make a contribution to society.

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THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS and ABC ENTERTAINMENT WRITING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

The Walt Disney Studios and ABC Entertainment offers Fellowships in the feature film and television areas. 

Contact Information:
The Walt Disney Studios and ABC Entertainment
Writing Fellowship Program 500 South Buena Vista St. Burbank, CA 91521-4016
[email protected] 818.560.6894

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VSA ARTS PLAYWRIGHT DISCOVERY AWARDS

The VSA Arts Playwright Discovery Award program challenges middle and high school students of all abilities to take a closer look at the world around them, examine how disability affects their lives and the lives of others, and express their views through the art of writing a one-act play. The award recipients receive scholarship awards and a trip to Washington, D.C. to view the production at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. For more information on the Playwright Discovery Award visit the VSA website to learn more about this international nonprofit organization dedicated to the participation of people with disabilities in the arts and society, has announced its 2005 Playwright Discovery Award call for one-act plays from students. Now in its twenty-first year, the program offers middle and high school students of all abilities an opportunity to examine, through the art of playwriting, how disability affects a person's life.

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WOMEN IN FILM & TELEVISION (WIFT-FL) - FLORIDA GRANT & SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

Women in Film & Television Florida (WIFT-FL) works hard to provide educational and networking opportunities for both women and men in the film, television, and digital media industry in the state of Florida. WIFT-FL advocates for parity in the entertainment industry and energizes members by illuminating their achievements, presenting training and professional development programs, awarding scholarships and grants, and providing access to a supportive community of peers.

2026 Dr. Kazi Hussain High School Scholarship: established in 2017, honors WIFT-Florida filmmaker and industry leader, Dr. Kazi Hussain, founder of TWC Pegasus Film Works & Media Inc., who was a mentor to many young people entering the field. One student from each branch will be selected to receive a Dr. Kazi Hussain scholarship in the amount of $500 each. The award will be directly applied to tuition for postsecondary schools for those interested in film or a career in the media arts. The Scholarship is made possible by the Dr. Kazi Hussain Fund of Women in Film/TV-Florida

2026 WIFT-FL Video/Film/Theatre Summer Camp Scholarship Program: WIFT-FL is proud to launch the Video/Film Summer Camp Scholarship Program, designed to allow aspiring young creators across Florida to explore their passion for visual storytelling. Each of our six branches will offer four scholarships valued at $250 each, helping to cover the cost of tuition for the WIFT-FL-endorsed summer camp focused on filmmaking, video production, and creative collaboration. Must be a WIFT-FL Student Member before 06/01/26

2026 Short Film Finishing Fund Grant: presented to a WIFT-FL member to help complete an existing short film project in the amount up-to $2,000. We encourage submissions of quality projects in all genres.

2026 Feature Film Finishing Fund Grant: presented to a Women in Film Florida (WIFT-FL) member to help complete an existing feature film project in the amount of up to $3,000. We encourage submissions of quality projects in all genres.