Short Film Grants and Funding In The US – As you know that topic oriented short films have a topic of social relevance in their base. There are topics related to homelessness, environment, poverty and substance abuse. These are mainly some of the examples of short films that are based on socially relevant topics. These types of short films generally get donations most of the time and it is easy to get equipment and material when the short film is trying to portray something meaningful to the community.
It is seen that in the mid 1990’s a short film of 12 min 35 mm was made under a thousand dollars. That is quite outrageous. Making a short film is not an easy job as you need catering, locations, equipment, accessories, short film footage and development. Everything required to be funded by donations as the short films have focused into two main social issues that is drug abuse and child abuse. You might find it difficult to make a short film as you are on a low budget. But luckily there are a few short film grants in the US that can help you out. Go through these articles to know more about the short films grants that are available in the US.
Highlights of this Post
Government Grants for Short Film Production
It is always difficult to get funding for making a short film. There are many things you need to be looking for like the agent, producers and other people on whom you depend for getting the funds to start your filmmaking. It can be really demoralizing sometimes. Do not think that finding short film grants is impossible. If you are a filmmaker do not worry because there are many ways that can help you to get short film grants. The best thing is that you do not have to exhaust yourself to receive those grants as they are not out of reach.
We will be discussing how to find these grants and apply for them and therefore we have listed a comprehensive list of short film grants that can help you out. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get started. You can simply go through production directories and cold calls that might be of some help to you. You can deliver a typical pitch that states that you are working on a short film that is baked on some intense social issues and check if anyone is willing to offer you a donation. It might not work but there is a possibility that it can work sometimes.
There are many production companies that are willing to contribute, so getting donations is not as tough as you think. However, the difficulty lies in the alternative to short film grants that need additional coordination and efforts because you need to adapt to the schedule of your sponsors. For example, you might have to cancel a film shoot because you didn’t receive the 35 mm camera from the donation as it was booked for a paid shoot.
So, these types of hurdles can come in and therefore you need to be a little careful. But after the company’s schedule was over, they got the camera and were able to shoot and saved more than hundreds of dollars that is normally charged by private lenders. Another problem you might face in this route is to coordinate with the produce. Therefore it is better for you when you have a specific producer who is working on fundraising and it is his or her full time job.
It is also required to have one producer to manage other things like shooting logistics and another one to manage donations; these will make things much easier and smoother. Although the team was able to accomplish a lot with the available funds, the short film ended with a fuss as the director and producer were overburdened with managing logistics and didn’t get much time to invest on acting and creative shooting. Therefore a unique producer is much needed who can manage the donations.
How Can I Apply for a Short Film?
Before you are applying for a short film grant for funding, you need to keep a few things in mind. There are some rules you need to follow before submitting your application. The scholarships can receive hundreds of annual submissions and there are many applications who will not be eligible as they are unable to meet their set criteria. Being a producer you need to know a list of short film grants that can help you in the future. So it is important for you to save this page as it can provide you with a list of grants comprehensively that you can use for future reference.
How Can I Research for Short Film Grants?
The Library
The Library is one of the best places where you can search for short film grants. You can find various sources that can help you to start your research. You can simply visit a library and ask the librarian about the list of grants that are offered locally. It is also easier to drop a letter in the company mailbox or you can directly set a meeting with the scholarship manager before applying for it. Personal contact can be really helpful in these cases.
There are many sponsors who want to see you as a person and get an idea what kind of work you are going to portray. The library resources can be used by you to write an actual scholarship. There are many speakers who come to the library for networking meetings and tutorial demonstrations. They also discuss monthly themes that mainly focus on how to get a scholarship. You can also get knowledge of what rules to follow while writing for a scholarship.
Another great thing about the public speakers in the library is that they are highly tied up with other grant organizations. So, it can be a great opportunity for you to talk to them and check whether they can help you out. There will definitely be a lot of benefits when you are able to acquire short film grants from various sources. It is important to use your time well and find the right resources that can help you in funding your project.
The Internet
Another best place you need to go to research about short film grants is the internet. As you know, nowadays most of the information is available on the internet. You can search for a film organization that offers short film grants for work at every step for project development. The internet will offer you flexibility in your project as it will help you in completing our project and you do not have to worry about hiring actors before you are ready with it.
There is another way to use the internet to search for short film grants that support international and national artists. There are some grants that are sponsored in your local area. You can also try to search for various forums online that might be really helpful. Therefore you will be much more flexible by collecting information about grants from various sources.
The Best Short Film Grants Available In USA
We have provided a list of best feature film funding scholarships that are available for the US filmmakers. Go through the list to know more about the scholarship that might be helpful for you in getting short film grants.
Women in Film
Women in Film offers various types of funding opportunities for the short filmmakers who are female. The fund is generally opened every year during the winter and offers a film finishing fund. But remember they do not sponsor films but they offer mentoring and workshops for female filmmakers.
Vision Maker Media
Vision Maker Media is also for the films to represent the people from the Native American Community. The best thing is that their applications are open all year. But they generally look for projects that are focused on current issues that are being faced by Native American Community.
The Green Room
The Green Room offers a $50,000 grant for free to the filmmaker and applicants every winter. It is not similar to other grants as they offer the grant to any projects of any genre or type. It can include documentaries, short films, experimental cinema, web series etc.
SLoan Science in Cinema
The Science in Cinema Filmmaker Fellowship offers grants to any film that portrays science education. But remember science education does not mean science fiction; it needs to be special films dealing with theological and scientific topics. Apart from that they run other film funding programs like the Rainin Grant that offers $25,000 short film grants to those films that are based on social justice issues.
ROY W.DEAN Short Film Grants
The Roy W. Dean film grants offer a different range of funding for films that contribute socially. The submission portal mainly opens in every summer, autumn and spring. However, the funding varies by project and offers help to any independent film that is made under a budget of $500,000. Apart from that they also offer help for equipment and other distribution costs.
PARE LORENTZ
The Pare Lorentz Grants offer grants that are from $15,000 to $25,000 for documentary films that highlight issues that are present in the United States. The submission generally starts in every summer. You can select documentary topics every year. There are different themes in different years, for example previous year’s theme was criminal justice. The best thing is that the application is open to all and everyone can get grants in making their shorts films that are in the production phase or post-production phase.
PANAVISION New Filmmaker Program
Panavision also offers equipment grants for film students and other low budget filmmakers. Any filmmaker can apply for this grant and submissions are generally accepted throughout the year. They also offer kits to independent filmmakers for free or charge a very minimal fee. There are also film school and training programs.
Moving Images Institute
The Moving Images Institute offers scholarship, support and workshops to the filmmakers through the year. However, you cannot find how big the award is but they vary in size. They also offer support to those filmmakers who are new and aspiring. The workshops take place in New York or Los Angeles. There is also a Fiscal Sponsorship Program that often funds non-commercial projects through donations that are tax-exempted.
PBS INDEPENDENT LENS
PBS offers a graduation grant for documentaries for those short films that are well suited to get broadcasted on television. The best thing is that the grant is free for everyone and they accept submission throughout the year. However, the funding level varies by project and they might edit films that are broadcasted on the TV. The duration must be between 60 to 90 minutes.
MILLER/PACKAN FILM FUND
The Miller/Packan Film Fund finds such documentaries that have the ability to inspire, enlighten and enrich the world. They have open calls each season and you can get a maximum $25,000 as short film grants. However, the films need to be non-fiction and the films must address environmental and social issues.
JEROME FOUNDATION
The Jerome Foundation offered help to those directors who are living in New York or Minnesota, and offers grants up to $30,000. The grant is mainly aimed at filmmakers who need support for post-production and production. You can apply for the grant every spring and any genres of short films are accepted by them.
ITVS OPEN CALL
ITVS also offers full production financing that is up to $350,000 for making documentary films. The financing is offered in between February and July. ITVS is mainly looking for documentaries that are based on important issues. The best thing is that you can participate at any stage of the production and you need to be an independent filmmaker. But remember grants are only provided to those who have not worked in a major film studio.
CREATIVE CAPITAL
Creative Capital offers grants up to $50,000 to the artists and the filmmakers who are working in experimental and documentary cinema. The application dates start in the month of February. However, in the past they have funded a lot of short films and the best thing is that they do not follow any rule that limits the film length.
CINEREACH
CINEReach also offers support for various types of films of any genre and their investment budget is from $5000 to $50000. The submission portal is open throughout the year. Another best thing is they support short films at every stage of the production, they also give high priority to the films that are in early stages of development.
AUSTIN FILM GRANTS
The Austin Film Society offers grants that range from $5,000 to $15,000 for the filmmakers that are living in Texas. The submissions are open in the spring of every year. At any stage of the production you can submit your short film for funding. Anyone can apply for the application but they mainly prioritize the women and people in communities of color.
Short film grants for minorities
The film industry has long been criticized for its lack of representation and opportunities for marginalized communities. However, there are a growing number of organizations and initiatives that offer grants for short films created by minority filmmakers. These grants can provide crucial funding for production and distribution, as well as recognition and mentorship opportunities.
Organizations That help with short filmmaker from minorities
- Sundance Institute Short Film Fund: The Sundance Institute offers grant funding for short films by emerging filmmakers from underrepresented communities. Eligible filmmakers must have a feature film in development and be able to attend the Sundance Institute’s Filmmakers Lab.
- Tribeca Film Institute’s Through Her Lens: This program is specifically for female filmmakers of color and offers funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
- Time Warner Foundation’s Film Fellowship: This fellowship is open to diverse filmmakers and focuses on supporting emerging voices in the industry.
- IFP’s Project: Involve: This program offers mentorship and funding for minority filmmakers in the early stages of their careers.
Eligibility for short film grants for minorities
Eligibility criteria vary depending on the specific grant, but most require that the filmmaker(s) come from a minority or underrepresented community. This can include, but is not limited to, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities. Additionally, some grants may have requirements regarding the filmmaker’s experience level or the type of project being proposed.
How to Apply for short film grants for minorities
The application process for each grant will vary, but most require a project proposal, a budget, and a filmmaker’s CV or resume. It’s important to thoroughly read the guidelines and requirements for each grant before applying. Some grants may require additional materials such as a script, treatment, or film reel.
Useful Resources for short film grants for minorities
- Film Independent’s Grants and Awards Resource List: This comprehensive list includes grants and awards for filmmakers of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- The Black List’s Diversity List: This list features unproduced scripts by underrepresented writers, including writers of color, women, and LGBTQ+ writers.
- Women in Film’s Financing Intensive: This annual program focuses on helping female filmmakers access funding and resources for their projects.
Horror short film grants
The horror genre has always been a popular one, but it can be difficult for indie filmmakers to secure funding for their projects. Thankfully, there are a number of organizations that offer grants specifically for horror short films. These grants can provide crucial funding for production and distribution, as well as recognition and mentorship opportunities.
Organizations that help with Horror short film grants
- The Stanley Film Festival’s Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies: This program offers grants for short horror films by emerging filmmakers. The grants are intended to support the development, production, and promotion of new horror projects.
- The Horrors of it All: This organization offers a number of grants throughout the year for horror short films, including a micro-budget grant and a special effects grant.
- The Horror Collective: This organization aims to support and promote independent horror filmmakers, and offers a number of grants throughout the year for short horror projects.
- The Bloody Cuts Short Film Competition: This competition offers a cash prize and mentorship opportunities for the best horror short film submitted.
Eligibility for Horror short film grants
Eligibility criteria vary depending on the specific grant, but most require that the filmmaker(s) are emerging and the project is a horror short film. Some grants may have requirements regarding the filmmaker’s experience level or the type of project being proposed.
How to Apply for Horror short film grants
The application process for each grant will vary, but most require a project proposal, a budget, and a filmmaker’s CV or resume. It’s important to thoroughly read the guidelines and requirements for each grant before applying. Some grants may require additional materials such as a script, treatment, or film reel.
Useful Resources for Horror short film grants
- The Horror Society’s Film Grant and Fellowship List: This comprehensive list includes grants and fellowships for horror filmmakers.
- The Horror Writers Association’s Grants and Awards: This organization offers a number of grants and awards for horror writers, including a grant for short film adaptations of horror stories.
- The Women in Horror Film Festivals: Many Women in Horror film festivals have a grant or award category for short horror films directed by women.
Conclusion
I hope the article has provided you with all the information on the Best Short Film Grant in the US. There are a lot of filmmakers that are interested in making short films but the problem they face is that they do not have enough budgets. It is always risky for them to take loans and shoot a film. But luckily there are various types of short film grants that can help you to make your short film. But remember that you need to make a short film that reflects environmental issues and social issues. If you know any filmmaker looking for short film grants then please share this article with them. Thanks for reading this article till the end. I hope you have a great day ahead!
Frequently Asked Questions
We are going to answer some of the most asked questions by the people about Short Film Grant in the US. Go through the question and answers to gain additional knowledge on the topic.
What are short film grants?
There are many filmmakers who are looking to make a short film but are unable because they do not have the budget required. There are many things you need to look at while you are planning to start a film that includes equipment, camera and other accessories. Short film grants offer finances to purchase those items.
What should I keep in mind before applying for the short film grants?
There are a few things you need to keep in mind before applying for the short film grant. You need to know that there are many people who are looking for these gants. Many applications are getting rejected because they do not meet the eligible criteria that is set. So, it is important for you to research a bit and very carefully fill up the application form. There are also different types of short film grants so you should know your purpose before applying for it.
What are some short film grants that are available in the US?
There are many short film grants in the US like Austin Film Grants, Cinereach, Creative Capital, ITVS Open Call, Jerome Foundation and many others. But remember each offers different grant amounts and has their own set of eligibility criteria.
How much does Austin Film Grants offer?
The Austin Film Grant offers grants that range from $5,000 to $15,000. The grant is based on the filmmakers who are living in Texas. Anyone can apply for these grants as there are no specific rules.
