TV / FILM — APRIL 2024

March 30, 2024

CREATIVE CAPITAL GRANTS

Creative Capital

DEADLINE: April 4, 2024

INFO: For our 25th Anniversary, Creative Capital welcomes innovative and original new project proposals in visual arts, performing arts, film/moving image, technology, literature, multidisciplinary, and socially engaged forms.

The Creative Capital Award provides unrestricted project grants which can be drawn down over a multi-year period, bespoke professional development services, and community-building opportunities.

Grants are awarded via a democratic, national, open call, external review process. Our goal is to fund individual artists creating conceptually, aesthetically, and formally challenging, risk-taking, and never-before-seen projects.

GRANT APPLICATION DETAILS:

Creative Capital is committed to groundbreaking ideas that challenge what art can be. As Creative Capital Awardees have demonstrated, socially impactful ideas are embedded in a myriad of artistic forms and practices. We invite artists to propose experimental, original, bold projects in the visual arts, performing arts, film/moving image, technology, literature, multidisciplinary, and socially engaged forms which push boundaries formally and/or thematically.

We invite artists to select a primary discipline for their proposals based on which experts are most suited and qualified to review the project proposal, with the understanding that radical art is often by nature interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, or antidisciplinary. By choosing to apply within a certain disciplinary category, we are asking you to choose how you want to frame the discussion around your work and to indicate which experts are most qualified to evaluate your project proposal.

2025: 50 Grants

Visual Arts: including painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, architecture, design, multimedia, installation, video art, performance art, new genres, craft, and socially engaged, and/or sustainable visual art-based practices
1. Performing Arts: including dance, theater (new theatrical work, playwriting), jazz, music, opera, singing, and socially engaged and/or sustainable performing arts-based practices
2. Film/Moving Image: including experimental film, short film, animation, documentary film, narrative film, and socially engaged and/or sustainable film/moving image-based practices
3. Technology: including augmented reality/virtual reality, bio art, data visualization, hardware, software, digital media, internet art, and socially engaged and/or sustainable technology-based practices
4. Literature: including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, and socially engaged and/or sustainable literature-based practices

APPLICATION CYCLE:

ROUND I: Tell us your idea. Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

Along with your project title, one line project description (25 words max), project description (250 words max), resume (1 page max), and artist website (if applicable), please answer the following questions:

How does your project take an original and imaginative approach to content and form? Please be as specific as possible. (150 words)
Please place your work in context so we may better evaluate it. What are the main influences upon your work as an artist? How does your past work inform your current project? Please use concrete examples, which may include other artists’ work, art movements, cultural heritage, science, philosophy, research/work from outside the arts field, etc. (150 words)
What kind of impact—artistic, intellectual, communal, civic, social, political, environmental, etc.—do you hope your project will have? What strategies will you employ to achieve the desired impact? (100 words)
Who are the specific audiences/communities that you hope to engage through this project? Please think beyond the broader art community where possible. How are you hoping to reach them? (100 words)
How might your proposed project act as a catalyst for your artistic and professional growth? In what ways is it a pivotal moment in your practice? (100 words)
In addition to funding, Creative Capital also provides scaffolding and support services for awardees (such as expert consultations, gatherings, alumni network, workshops). How would our non-monetary services help you to realize your goals for this project and/or your long-term artistic and professional growth? (100 words)

ROUND II: Project Details

Project itemized budget (1 page)
Project timeline (1 page)
Work samples (see application handbook for guidelines)

ROUND III: Final Panel Review

Submit proof of eligibility.
Confirm collaborators (if applicable)
Project updates (optional, 100 words max)

Full application guidelines are outlined in the Application Handbook.

All applications are reviewed by external reviewers who are scholars, curators, artists, past awardees, and experts in the field. The final recommendations for the awards are reviewed and then ratified by our Board. Awardees are announced in January 2025. Under no circumstances will the reasons for the rejection of an application be provided.

Any awarded projects which are directly related to any of the 17 UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals will have the opportunity to have the “Way” or the icon of that UN Sustainable Development goal attached to their project on the Creative Capital website in effort to advance the global dialogue around these critical issues impacting the future of our communities, our planet, and beyond. In keeping with the spirit of the 17 UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, we too have an expansive definition of “sustainability” that goes far beyond climate change and the environmental challenges we face—including: good health and wellbeing, affordable and clean energy, reduced inequalities, life on land, and peace, justice, and strong institutions.

2025 CREATIVE CAPITAL GRANT TIMELINE:

These dates may change.

March 4 to April 4, 2024: Letter of Inquiries (LOI) accepted
April 4, 2024 4:00 PM Eastern Time / New York Time: LOI deadline
June 2024: Notification of advancement to Round II
September 2024: Notification of advancement to Final Panel Review
January 2025: Public announcement of 2025 Creative Capital Awards

ARTIST ELIGIBILITY:

US citizen, permanent legal resident, or O-1 visa holder
At least 25 years old
Working artist(s) with at least 5 years of professional artistic practice
Applicant may not be enrolled in a degree-granting program
May not apply to the Warhol Foundation Arts Writers grant program in the same year
May not have previously received a Creative Capital Award
May not be an applicant or collaborator on more than one proposed project per year

Projects that are not eligible

Projects whose main purpose is promotional
Project is to fund ongoing operations of existing business
Curation or documentation of existing work
Projects that will be completed before January, 2025.

JUROR INFORMATION:

Creative Capital invites regional, national, and international experts in a wide range of disciplines to serve in our review process. External reviewers are offered honoraria for their time and expertise. All external reviewer names are confidential until the awards are announced.

creative-capital.org/about-the-creative-capital-award

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SESAME WORKSHOP WRITERS' ROOM

Sesame Workshop

DEADLINE: April 8, 2024 by 12pm EST

INFO: Sesame Workshop Writers’ Room is a writing fellowship from the creators of Sesame Street.

Fresh new writing talent that reflect the diversity of our vast audience. Emerging storytellers who are selected to join the Writers’ Room will receive hands-on writing experience guided by Sesame Street veterans and other media industry leaders. Each participant will develop and write a pilot script for their own original kids concept. Past fellows have gone on to develop their own original content with Sesame Workshop, as well as write for Sesame Street and various programs at Nickelodeon, Disney, DreamWorks, and more! Learn about the 2023 fellows and speakers below.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:

Up to 8 writers will be selected
Sessions are expected to take place virtually from July to August 2024
Learn from industry writers, producers, agents and executives
Learn and complete all steps of creating an original pilot episode script
Includes eight, three-hour sessions on creating original children’s content
Up to two participants will have the opportunity to receive creative development deals and further mentorship

APPLICATION CHECK LIST:

Application form: Application must be submitted by April 8th, 2024 12PM EST.
Original script sample: 11-page maximum; should NOT contain Sesame Street elements, characters, or intellectual property; can be an excerpt from a larger piece wholly written by the applicant; must model a 3 act story structure; and be kid-friendly content for viewers up to age 12…we’re looking for great characters and stories that inspire kids to be smarter, stronger and kinder!
Resumes: 2-page maximum. Anything longer will be disqualified. More info on your script: what’s the bigger picture/idea of your script sample? (up to 100 words)
Personal statement: tell us about yourself, for example, why you want to write for children’s educational media, how your experiences influence the stories you tell, why you value diversity/representation in children’s media, etc. (up to 250 words)

ELIGIBILITY CHECK LIST:

Participants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
No extensive media writing experience, such as having written more than six episodes for a network or cable scripted/narrative series
Participants must be 21+ years old
Participants must be able to attend and complete writing assignments for all 8 sessions, which will be held virtually from June to August 2024

sesameworkshop.org/our-work/fellowships/writers-room

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2024 LFI WORKS IN PROGRESS

The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF)

DEADLINE: April 8, 2024

INFO: In its second year, LFI Works in Progress sponsored by Amazon Studios, supports independent US based Latino filmmakers in the completion of a feature film (fiction or documentary). The program grants finishing funds towards the final stages of post-production. The fund supports films with high production value, a distinctive directorial voice, culturally significant and commercially viable.

The fund allocates $50,000 between three projects selected through an open call. A jury of industry professionals divides the funds among the projects, based on their post production needs.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

Open to USA productions directed by a filmmaker who identifies as Latino.
The applicant (director or producer) must be 18+ years of age.
Directors need to reside in the USA (including continental USA, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands).
Applications can be completed by:
- Individuals
- Production companies based in the USA
Projects must submit a fine cut. Funds will be awarded for final stages of post-production (VFX, color correction, sound design, final sound mix, packaging, deliverables).
Projects must be independently produced.
Projects must be feature length (minimum 70 min), fiction or documentary.
Selected projects commit to completion within 8 months from fund allocation.
If the funds allocated are not enough to cover the cost of finishing the project, the awarded funds will be released upon submission of proof of additional funding.
Student films or TV/Web pilots are not eligible.

The awarded funds CAN be used for:

Costs associated with color correction and final grading
Costs associated with sound completion (including soundtrack)
Costs associated with master outputs and deliverables

The awarded funds CANNOT be used for:

Above the line fees
Costs not directly associated with post-production as described above
Legal and accounting costs
Re-shoots, stock footage
Capital expenditure
Film festival submission or screening costs
Retroactive costs (already endured by the film)

If you have any questions email us at wipcoordinator@latinofilm.org

laliff.org/programs/wip2024/

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PILOT ACCELERATOR

Moonshot Initiative

DEADLINE: April 14, 2024

INFO: In this highly competitive virtual accelerator program for TV writers, 6-8 fellows will receive three weeks of industry training before having the opportunity to pitch to major studios, production companies, representatives, and producers. The entire accelerator, including training and pitching, will occur online.

The goal of this program is to launch the careers of our fellows, which could take the form of selling their TV pilot; securing follow-up meetings with executives; getting hired as a freelance writer, staff writer or writing support staff on an existing series; and/or making valuable industry contacts. This program aims to increase the representation of women and non-binary people on screen and in writers rooms.

WHO HEARS THE PITCHES?

For every accelerator, we get over 20 studios and production companies on board to hear pitches. Fellows typically receive 6 to 10 requests for pitch meetings. These pitch meetings are all one-on-one, and 85% of the meetings end with a request to read the full script. Here is a list of the companies we have worked with in the past:

WHO READS THE SCRIPTS?

Semi-finalists' pilots will be read by an incredible group of judges, including showrunners, executive producers, series creators and TV writers. This panel of judges will help us select the finalists, who will then go through a virtual interview before the 6-8 fellows are selected. Even if you are not selected as a fellow, there is still a chance you might be contacted if one of these judges likes your script enough to interview or refer you for a writing position.

Before getting to the semi-finalist stage, all scripts are read at least twice by our internal team, volunteer readers and former fellows.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE ACCELERATOR

The accelerator sessions take place on June 18, 20, 25, 26, 27 and July 9, 10, 11 and each session is three hours long. Pitch week if from July 15 to July 19. Here are more details about the sessions:

Perfect the pitch

You'll meet with a development executive (Jasmine Russ, VP of Development at Fabel Entertainment) and a showrunner (Elle Johnson of Netflix's "Self-Made") to get feedback from the perspective of the people who buy and sell stories.

Have fun with it

We'll have a mock writers room with a showrunner to prepare you for life as a tv writer. We'll also have a session with a speech coach, Samara Bay, to make sure you can express yourself fully.

Career Advice

You'll meet with an entertainment lawyer (Rebecca Neipris of 1st Gen Law), agent (Rukayat Giwa at CAA), and manager to discuss how to best protect yourself as a writer and have a long, lucrative career.

Pitch Week

The 25 companies that have agreed to hear pitches will review the loglines we send them. Each company will select at least 3 people to hear pitches (this way you're only pitching to companies who are interested in your work). Each fellows pitches to 4-8 companies on average.

moonshotinitiative.org/accelerator

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DIVERSE VOICES LAB

WeScreenplay

DEADLINE: April 15, 2024

FEES:

Standard Entry with Feedback: $74.99
Standard Entry with Upgraded Feedback: $129.98

INFO: Diverse Voices is a dynamic virtual screenwriting lab with a proven track record of helping elevate stories that are told from perspectives that are often underrepresented in film and TV today. This includes writers of color, women writers, writers with disabilities, writers over 40, writers in the LGBTQ+ community, and any other voices that have historically been ignored by Hollywood.

6 Fellows will be selected to participate in this career-changing lab!

Plus, all entries receive one page of feedback from a professional reader from a diverse background.

BENEFITS
VIRTUAL WRITING LAB

The top 6 writers will be invited to WeScreenplay’s Diverse Voices Virtual Writing Lab! This multi-day lab will be PACKED with workshops to hone craft, mentorship calls with working writers, and general meetings with studio execs, literary reps, and more.

Winners will also receive:

A copy of Final Draft screenwriting software
Guidance for drafting query letters, research methods for finding the right representation, and insights for career next steps.

KEYNOTE MENTORS

Keynote mentors will participate in the Diverse Voices Fall lab group sessions and select at least one writer for a one-on-one coaching session, tailored to the selected writer.

NICEOLE LEVY
After growing up near China Lake Naval Weapons Center in the middle of the Mojave Desert, Niceole escaped to the bright lights of Los Angeles. While studying acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she realized her true love was writing stories, not playing them out. She worked as a police dispatcher to pay her way through USC undergrad and then completed the Master of Professional Writing program, also at USC. An alum of the CBS Writers Mentoring Program, NBC's Writers on the Verge, and the WGAW Showrunner Training Program, Niceole has written on “Ironside,” “Allegiance,” “The Mysteries of Laura,” “Shades of Blue,” "Cloak & Dagger," “Fate: the Winx Saga,” “S.W.A.T,” and “The Recruit.” She also co-wrote a feature, "The Banker," with former “Allegiance” showrunner and director George Nolfi, available on AppleTV+, and recently finished writing “Spark,” a film inspired by the life of Claudette Colvin. Niceole currently has several TV and feature projects in development. Her first book, “The Writers’ Room Survival Guide,” was released in October of 2022.

PRINCE BAGGETT
Prince Baggett leads the charge at Confluential Films & Black Love, steering a diverse film slate from development to production. In his role as Head of Film, he blends a discerning financial acumen with a dedication to inclusive storytelling, championing studio projects that amplify and support underrepresented voices. In January, his strategic efforts were instrumental in presenting three standout Sundance features, including Young. Wild. Free with Sanaa Lathan, and an acclaimed documentary, cementing the company's status as a powerhouse for diverse talent. Particularly noteworthy is "Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project," generating Oscar buzz and set to captivate HBO audiences post its theatrical run. Additionally, Confluential's production, "The Perfect Find," premiered on Netflix in 2023. Before joining Confluential, Prince held the reins at Genius Productions, overseeing Marsai Martin's first-look deal with Universal Pictures and playing a pivotal role in development on projects like "Little" “Saturdays” and "Amari and the Night Brothers." A fervent advocate for mentorship, Prince previously was a mentor in the Universal Pictures Writers and Director Programs and played a key role in co-founding the Diverse Representation Black Entertainment Executives Pipeline Program.

writers.coverfly.com/competitions/view/wescreenplay-diverse-voices#prices-deadlines

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SHORT SCRIPT LAB

WeScreenplay

DEADLINES / FEES:

Early - April 15, 2024 - $39.99 (Standard Entry with Feedback) / $94.99 (Standard Entry with Upgraded Feedback)
Regular - May 15, 2024 - $49.00 (Standard Entry with Feedback) / $104.99 (Standard Entry with Upgraded Feedback)
Late - June 15, 2024 - $59.99 (Standard Entry with Feedback) / $114.99 (Standard Entry with Upgraded Feedback)
Final - July 15, 2024 - $69.99 (Standard Entry with Feedback) / $124.99 (Standard Entry with Upgraded Feedback)

INFO: Short scripts are a fantastic way to get your screenwriting feet wet, explore a new genre, hone your craft, and gain recognition within the entertainment industry!

6 winners will be invited to take part in our exclusive Virtual Shorts Lab to help define the next steps in their projects journey – whether that’s self-producing, crowdfunding, or connecting it with producers looking for short content.

Plus, every entry receives one page of feedback from a professional reader!

BENEFITS:

Grand Prize Winners:

6 winners will be selected to participate in this game-changing virtual lab. This lab will be PACKED with virtual meetings with industry professionals, workshops, and more so you can learn, network, and gain exposure.

Winners will also receive:

A copy of Final Draft screenwriting software
Guidance for drafting query letters, research methods for finding the right representation, and insight for career next steps.

Finalists:

Finalists will be invited to a special virtual group mentor session with an industry professional!

Select finalists will have a 1:1 virtual meeting with a member of the WeScreenplay team to discuss you and your work.

writers.coverfly.com/competitions/view/wescreenplay-shorts

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Jerome Hill Artist Fellowships

Jerome Foundation

DEADLINE: April 15, 2024 BY 4:00PM CT / 5:00PM ET

INFO: Jerome Hill Artist Fellowships support early career Minnesota- and New York City-based generative artists who take creative risks in exploring, expanding, imagining, or re-imagining creative practices and experiences; reclaiming or reviving traditional forms in original ways; and/or questioning, challenging, or disrupting cultural norms.

Jerome Foundation seeks to support artists who are creating, developing, and presenting imaginative work that is deeply considered, presented with technical skill, is compelling, and offers a distinctive vision and authentic voice. This three-year Fellowship supports artists who embrace their roles as part of a larger community of artists and citizens, and consciously work with a sense of service and responsibility.

Support is directed to early career artists, which Jerome Foundation defines as within their 2nd–10th year as a generative artist.

Fellows receive $60,000 over three consecutive years ($20,000 each year) to support their time and expenses for the creation of new work, artistic development and/or professional artistic career development. The Foundation expects to award a total of 45 fellowships across 7 artistic fields.

jeromefdn.org/jerome-hill-artist-fellowship

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CATAPULT DEVELOPMENT GRANT

Catapult Film Fund

DEADLINE: April 15, 2024

INFO: Launched in 2010, the Catapult Development Fund provides early-stage support to documentary filmmakers when funding is hardest to find. For this cycle, we will offer fifteen (15) grants of up to $25,000 USD to filmmakers in development with a documentary feature or short. We do not support docuseries at this time.

Our flagship program is geared toward independent filmmakers who have a strong story to tell, have secured access, and are ready to unlock critical production funding. This grant can be used for a variety of development needs and must result in the creation of a fundraising piece as the final deliverable. We prioritize artful, moving storytelling and are not tied to any specific social issue agenda. Learn more about Frequently Asked Questions»

KEY DATES:

March 11, 2024: Application Opens on Submittable
April 15, 2024: Application Closes at 5 p.m. PT
September 2024: Grantees notified
October 2024: Grantees announced

ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants (Project Director) must be 18 years or older and cannot be enrolled in an academic institution.
Documentaries must be in development or early production with an intended length of 28 minutes or longer.
Grant funds must specifically be used to create a fundraising piece, which may include writing, shooting and editing once story and characters are in place.
Applicants 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 via previous work samples. Applicants who do not meet this criteria should demonstrate how they will be working with experienced filmmakers as key creative personnel.
Catapult does not make grants to individuals. If selected, applicants must be able to accept grants through a 501(c)(3) organization such as a fiscal sponsor. Projects may apply without a fiscal sponsor but must confirm the designated organization in order to receive funding. Learn more in our Frequently Asked Questions»

Catapult does not fund student films, docuseries, fiction projects, or projects that are in production, post-production, or completed. Hybrid and experimental formats will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Artful, compelling storytelling that moves you, with a preference for character-driven narratives over lesson or agenda-heavy projects
Originality of approach, content, and form
Creative and innovative storytelling techniques
Contemporary relevance with a unique perspective, style, and/or tone
Project feasibility with respect to budget, financing, schedule, and scope
Demonstrated ability of the creative team to implement previous projects
Credible access and rapport with the proposed subject(s) of the story, with attention to accountability and ethics
Significant impact of Catapult grant on development stage of the project
Potential of the project to generate public discourse and social engagement

GUIDELINES:

Grant awards range from $5000 to $25,000. If selected, grantees must have a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor to officially accept the award.
Once accepted, Catapult will provide a letter of agreement that clearly outlines use of funds, reporting, and deliverables. Report deadlines are determined by the grantee, based on project goals and timeline.
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.
Upon completion of the award period, grantees must submit the proposed fundraising piece. Grantees agree to return any funds not used for the purpose of the grant.
Grantees will be expected to acknowledge Catapult support with text and/or logo recognition in film credits, publicity, and promotional materials, as well as tickets to the film’s premiere.
Beyond the grant, Catapult serves as an early and engaged champion for our grantees by providing editorial feedback, industry connections, and mentorship based on project needs.

catapultfilmfund.org/how-to-apply/development/

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The Black Film Space Mentorship Program

Black Film Space

DEADLINE: April 24, 2024 by 11:59pm ET

INFO: Black Film Space is elated to launch our second mentorship cohort which offers emerging filmmakers an opportunity to build relationships and develop their skill set alongside seasoned professionals.

The Black Film Space Mentorship Program pairs 10 mentees and 10 mentors together from June 5th to November 22nd, 2024.

Mentees will have (6) 45 minute meetings with their mentor during the program to discuss their work, develop their projects, and careers as it pertains to their short and long term goals.

Mentors will give one round of feedback on the mentees work over the course of the program.

Mentees are selected based on: Quality of work, project goals, personal statement, career objectives and virtual interviews. Mentees must work towards a short term goal over the course of the program.

You must be a Black Film Space member to apply.

blackfilmspace.com/mentorship

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CALL FOR FILMS

The Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series

DEADLINES:

Regular - April 30, 2024
Final - May 24, 2024

INFO: The Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series is an annual film festival founded by African Voices magazine. Established in 1997, Reel Sisters (www.reelsisters.org) is dedicated to providing opportunities for women of color to advance their careers in the film industry. Reel Sisters accepts films written, directed, or produced by women/non-binary filmmakers of color. Reel Sisters is the first Academy Qualifying Film Festival for short narratives devoted to women of color across the globe. Reel Sisters is an IMDb qualifying film festival. Reel Sisters celebrates our 27th Anniversary in 2024.

APPLICATION INFO:

YOU MUST SUBMIT PRODUCTION STILLS/PHOTOS and a TRAILER for your submission to be ELIGIBLE AND COMPLETE. You can screenshot photos from your film if you were unable to hire a photographer.

Reel Sisters is a competitive festival and films are selected by an independent jury. Please submit films early as deadlines are final. The festival provides quality customer service and does not offer fee waivers. The fee covers a small fraction of the administrative costs for running a professional Oscar qualifying film festival.

Reel Sisters accepts all genres and formats with a special interest in submissions from animated and web series producers. Send us films that will make our audience “cry, dance, laugh, sing and explore." The festival curates events throughout the year so all entries will be considered for Reel Sisters Tea & Cinema series. Join our worldwide community of film professionals in celebrating stories produced, directed and written by women of color!

For complete application visit www.reelsisters.org

AWARDS + PRIZES

Reel Sisters screens original films by women across the globe each year — the festival has screened over 5,500 films since its inception. Awards for Best Director, Best Documentary, Best Screenplay, Best Experimental, Best Animation, Best Feature, Best Short, Best Narrative, Best Web Series, Best Original Soundtrack and the Reel Sisters Spirit Award are selected by an independent jury composed of filmmakers, community leaders and artists. Reel Sisters has given over $75,000 in cash awards, fellowships and scholarships since our inception. In 2023, Reel Sisters Micro Budget Film Fellowship provided script to screen opportunities to three women of color filmmakers who received $5K each towards their short film project. Our fellows receive a premiere screening at Reel Sisters, an Oscar Qualifying festival.

CASH AWARDS FOR 2024

Best Narrative Short - $1,000
Best Director - $500
Best Screenplay - $300
Best Animation - $200

filmfreeway.com/ReelSistersoftheDiasporaFilmFestival

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Academy Nicholl Fellowship

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

DEADLINE: May 1, 2024 at 11:59 pm PT

ENTRY FEE: $120

INFO: Each year, the Academy Nicholl screenwriting competition awards up to five $35,000 fellowships to amateur screenwriters. To enter, submit a feature length screenplay and entry fee via the online application. Fellowship winners are invited to participate in awards week ceremonies and seminars, receive individualized Academy member mentorship and are expected to complete at least one original feature film screenplay during their Fellowship year.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Up to five $35,000 fellowships are awarded each year to promising new screenwriters. From the program’s inception in 1986 through 2022, 192 fellowships totaling $5.08 million have been awarded.

FELLOWSHIP OBLIGATIONS:

Up to five fellows in the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition will be invited to participate in awards week ceremonies and seminars in November.

Fellowship recipients will be expected to complete at least one original feature film screenplay during the fellowship year.

Fellowship payments will be made quarterly subject to satisfactory progress of the recipient’s work, as judged by the Academy Nicholl Fellowships Committee.

The Academy reserves the right to grant no awards if, in the opinion of the Academy Nicholl Fellowships Committee, no entry is of sufficient merit.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Original feature film screenplay (no shorter than 70 pages and no longer than 160 pages) in PDF format only
Completed online application form
Early entry fee of US$50 (by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on March 1) or regular deadline entry fee of US$70 (by 11:59 p.m. PT on April 1) or late deadline entry fee of US$120 (by 11:59 p.m. PT on May 1).
There is a maximum entry limit of 5,500 screenplays for 2024. The competition will close to submissions once the maximum number of entries are received or the final deadline is reached--whichever occurs first.
Writers must create an account at the Nicholl website to enter the competition. PDF scripts must be uploaded and all other requirements met prior to the maximum entry limit of 5,500 screenplays is reached. If the maximum entry limit has not been reached by the final deadline, than PDF scripts must be uploaded and all other requirements met no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on May 1, 2024.

REGISTER AND APPLY

Writers may create an online account at the Nicholl website at any time. When the competition opens each year, they should use that account to enter, following the links to the Log In page. The Nicholl website allows entrants to fill out the required online application form, submit a PDF version of their script and pay the entry fee with a credit or debit card. It also allows entrants to confirm receipt of their entry and to update their contact information at any time during the competition.

Only online applications will be accepted.

SCRIPT SUBMISSIONS

A single entrant or writing team may submit a maximum of ONE script in the 2024 year competition.

The script should be no shorter than 70 pages and no longer than 160 pages. The recommended length is 80 to 125 pages.

Writers must create an account at the Nicholl website to enter the competition.

There is a maximum entry limit of 5,500 screenplays for 2024. The competition will close to submissions once the maximum number of entries are received or the final deadline is reached--whichever occurs first.

PDF scripts must be uploaded and all other requirements met prior to the maximum entry limit of 5,500 screenplays is reached. If the maximum entry limit has not been reached by the final deadline, than PDF scripts must be uploaded and all other requirements met no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on May 1, 2024.

PAYMENT

The entry fee must be paid online via credit card or debit card.

THE COMPETITION

5,599 entries were received in 2023. All scripts are read at least twice in the competition. About 10 percent are read a third time. About 5 percent of entries advance to the competition quarterfinals, about 2 percent advance to the semifinals and about 10-15 entries reach the finals.

READER COMMENTS

Brief reader comments for each entered script are available for purchase but are not required for entry.

Every screenplay entry will receive at least two comments and may receive as many as six, up to and including the Quarterfinal round. These comments are released on the date specified in the online application.

Not intended as comprehensive notes, these comments offer a peek at readers’ reactions to the entry.

JUDGING

The first and quarterfinal rounds are judged by industry professionals who are not members of the Academy. The semifinal round is judged by Academy members drawn from across the spectrum of the motion picture industry. The finalist scripts are judged by the Academy Nicholl Committee.

To further the Academy’s commitment to encouraging and valuing diversity in the industry, the Nicholl Fellowships Program takes measures to ensure that our selection process is as fair as possible and without bias.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

All entrants will receive email notification of whether they've advanced to the Quarterfinals in early August. Semifinalist notifications are emailed in early September.

oscars.org/nicholl/about

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Marble House Project

DEADLINE: May 6, 2024 by 11:59pm EST

INFO: Marble House Project is a multidisciplinary artist residency program that fosters collaboration and the exchange of ideas, by providing an environment for artists across disciplines to live and work together. The residency integrates sustainable practices, including small-scale organic food production and waste conservation. Residents sustain their growth by engaging with the grounds while working on their artistic practice. Marble House Project is founded on the belief that the act of creating, whether in the studio or in nature, is how human potential expands and community thrives.

Marble House Project accepts approximately 60 residents and is open to artists living in the United States and abroad. You must be at least 21 years old. Each session accommodates eight artists and is specifically curated to bring together a diverse group of creative workers, to maximize potential for collaboration and dialogue while in residence and beyond.

All residents live together in the historic, eight-bedroom Manley-Lefevre house, a communal space organized around responsibilities-sharing systems which highlight sustainability and community. The residency is an opportunity to develop and carry out practices of mutual support, group conversation, and to cultivate adaptive relationships with the environment. This can take the form of discussions with guest multidisciplinary artists, thinkers, and activists and other individual and group activities that benefit our community of residents.

Residents will be paired and asked to cook for shared dinners three times over the course of their residency, Monday-Friday. . Each session culminates with a short video interview and artists are invited to share their work with our community and each other. Marble House Project provides private bedrooms, food, private studio space, and artist support. We are not able to cover costs related to travel or materials. There is no fee to attend the residency.

Applications are accepted in all creative fields including but not limited to writing, dance and choreography, performance, music composition and sound, film and video, visual arts, and culinary arts. Applications are reviewed by a jury of alumni and staff. Artists are selected based on quality of work, commitment to practice, and project description. Please choose the application that best describes your work. Two artists may apply together as a collaborative, and should complete one application. Within each application you will be asked to select the session dates best for you.

RESIDENCY DATES FOR 2025

March 11th - April 1st
April 6th - April 29th
May 6th - May 27th
June 3rd - June 24th
July 8th - July 22nd. Parent / Artist Residency

Parent artist residency. This residency is only for parent artists who will be attending with their children. Children must be four years old by the start of the residency. Please note that if you only apply for this residency it is very competitive. If you choose other dates you will also be considered for those as well. To find out more about the family friendly residency please visit http://www.marblehouseproject.org/residencyprograms/

October 7th - October 28th
November 3 - November 24th

marblehouseproject.submittable.com/submit

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CALL FOR ENTRIES: 2024 Twin Cities Arab Film Festival

Mizna

DEADLINE: May 11, 2024

INFO: Mizna’s 2024 Twin Cities Arab Film Festival seeks films for our upcoming festival scheduled for September 25–29, 2024. They accept narrative, documentary, experimental, and animated films of feature and short lengths. They seek films made by filmmakers from the SWANA region and beyond, as well as films relevant to the social realities of the SWANA region.

This year, all accepted submissions will be considered for Audience and Jury Awards.

Submissions are due May 11, 2024. Late submissions are due May 31, 2024.

Mizna strives to make our film festival accessible to filmmakers of all financial backgrounds. Filmmakers in need of a submission fee waiver can email mizna@mizna.org.

mizna.org/event/call-for-subs-aff2024/

TV / FILM — MARCH 2024

February 29, 2024

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT GRANT

Chicken & Egg Pictures

DEADLINE: March 4, 2024 at 3:00pm EST

INFO: Now in its second year, The Chicken & Egg Pictures Research & Development Grant supports filmmakers from around the world who have directed at least one feature-length documentary and are in the research & development stage of their next feature-length film. (Note: in the pilot year, the grant eligibility was limited to filmmakers who had already directed two or more feature-length documentaries.)

With support for the second consecutive year by Netflix, the Chicken & Egg Pictures Research & Development Grant supports directors to ideate and plan for their next feature-length film. Many filmmakers invest their personal resources into their films and face funding challenges when entering into the research & development stages of new projects. It is hard to secure funding for a new project without significant sample material, yet producing material without external funding can be almost impossible. To address this challenge, The Chicken & Egg Pictures Research & Development Grant provides financial support to directors during a filmmaking stage that is too often unpaid and unsupported.

A total of $450,000 USD will be awarded in the following grant amounts:

$10,000 USD grants for Research
$20,000 USD grants for Development

The final number of Research Grants vs. Development Grants disbursed will be determined during the selection process, based on the characteristics and strength of the applicant pool for each category.

The purpose of the Research & Development Grant is to support projects at the early stages of their lifecycle. If you have already raised a significant amount of capital (over 35% of your film’s total budget) and have shot and/or edited a substantial amount of footage, you may not be competitive for this grant, unless you can demonstrate very specific needs for the project (such as previously overlooked research activity).

We recognize that each documentary is unique and that processes for research and development, fundraising, and production can vary widely. The information provided here is not intended as strict eligibility criteria, but rather as general guidelines to help applicants understand the stage at which we aim to provide support for projects.

The 2024 Chicken & Egg Pictures Research & Development Grant is generously supported by the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES:

Trust: This grant initiative is driven by our trust in filmmakers with an established track record. We look forward to working with them on new projects at a stage that is especially hard to fundraise for. We trust that applicants will make the best determination about which stage to apply to based on the information presented below.
Simplicity: We aim to keep The Chicken & Egg Pictures Research & Development Grant application as simple as possible so that filmmakers are not burdened by the process. Some important things to note about the application:
- The applications for the Research Grant vs. the Development Grant are not the same. Most of the questions are shared across both applications, but some questions are specific to each application.
- Most questions are based on the Nonfiction Core Application 2.0.
- The application also includes some supplemental questions to help us gather the necessary information for organizational purposes.
Deep listening: This grant initiative was born through deeply listening to a wide range of stakeholders including filmmakers and field representatives who were interviewed during our 2023-2025 Strategic Planning process. Filmmakers shared that they need to be fully trusted with funding early on. We heard the need to be financially supported to have the time and space to think, research, and develop new ideas.

PROJECT STAGE: RESEARCH VS. DEVELOPMENT:

It is important to acknowledge that the differences between the research and development stages are often nuanced, and the activities listed in each stage may overlap. It can be challenging to precisely determine where the research stage concludes and where the development stage commences. For this grant application, we have provided the following definitions and core activities associated with each stage to assist applicants in determining the appropriate grant to apply for.

RESEARCH

The research stage is a period of sowing and ideation.

Core activities associated with the research stage:

Identifying secondary sources such as literature, art, and cultural materials
Familiarizing with other (film) projects
Identifying primary sources and collaborators
Locating visual assets and archives
Identifying and tracking potential or multiple storylines
Finding a narrative framework that can support the film
Building foundational relationships with the community and collaborators at the center of the story

DEVELOPMENT

The development stage is a nuanced period of exploration and discovery.

Core activities associated with the development stage:

Gaining and securing access to core participants and collaborators, and starting shooting
Developing the story
Plotting the film’s multiple and intersecting timelines
Fine-tuning the development budget and creating a fundraising strategy
Creating fundraising materials such as a pitch deck, trailer, teaser, etc.
Testing pitch materials for resonance at pitch venues with potential funders
Engaging possible partners

The Chicken & Egg Pictures’ Research & Development Grant is designed to be used flexibly and holistically by each filmmaking team. In addition to expenses related to the core activities mentioned above, the grant may also cover reasonable expenses for the filmmaking team’s fees and salaries, as well as caregiving costs to enable filmmakers who are caregivers to take the time they need to fulfill these activities. While the type of expenses can vary, grantees will be required to submit a narrative report to help us evaluate the scope and impact of the grant (more information in the Reporting & Deliverablessection).

ELIGIBILITY:

Important: You may only submit one application per cycle. If you have more than one eligible project, select which project you will submit for consideration. You may apply for either the Research Grant OR Development Grant, but not both categories.

Please review the following eligibility criteria for The 2024 Chicken & Egg Pictures Research & Development Grant.

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY:

To be eligible for this grant, filmmakers must meet the following criteria:

Must identify as a woman (cis or trans) or gender-expansive director.
- Our working definition of gender-expansive is that it is an umbrella term that includes any person whose gender identity or gender expression does not comply with the socially defined gender norms and roles of their culture. This includes, but is not limited to, non-binary, trans, third gender/two-spirit, and agender individuals).
- If you are unsure whether you are gender-expansive, please refer to our please refer to the gender expansion page on our website for more information.

Must have directed at least one (1) completed feature-length documentary film.
- The film must have a duration of 48 minutes or longer.
- Films must be completed to be considered for this requirement. If you are currently directing your first feature-length film, you would not be eligible to apply until that film is completed and has premiered or is completed and actively seeking an upcoming premiere (e.g. within next 3-4 months).
- The film must be independently produced. However, commissioned documentaries and television documentaries, including those produced for news/journalism outlets, are eligible to be considered as prior work if the director had directorial control.
- Feature-length narrative work is not eligible to be considered as prior work for this application.

Can be based anywhere in the world, except for the countries which are under comprehensive US sanctions. These countries include Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the following regions of Ukraine: Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk. Further information on why filmmakers based in these countries/regions are ineligible to apply can be found here.
- If you are originally from these countries/regions but are based outside of them, you are still eligible to apply.
- Please note: If you are making a film that takes place in one of these countries/regions, you may apply for the grant, but you will not be able to spend the grant within those countries/regions.

PROJECT ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants for this grant must submit a project for consideration that meets the following criteria:

Must be a documentary or nonfiction film (including hybrid docs). VR, interactive, branded content, or fiction films are not eligible.
Must be feature-length (48 minutes or more). Short / medium-length films or series are not eligible
Must be in the Research or Development stage. Please refer to the section Project Stage: Research vs. Development for more information on what we consider each stage to be.
Must be independently produced. Works-for-hire are not eligible, and student films produced in an undergraduate or graduate program are also not eligible.

You do not need a fiscal sponsor to apply for the Research & Development Grant. However, if you are awarded, you must have a US fiscal sponsor, or be a 501(c)(3), to receive the funds.

For more details about eligibility, please review the full list of FAQs at the end of this page. If you have any questions regarding our open call that are not addressed in the FAQs, you can contact us at research-development@chickeneggpics.org.

TIMELINE:

March 4, 2024, at 3:00 PM EST: Research & Development Grant application deadline.
March-May 2024: Chicken & Egg Pictures processes and reviews applications in a two-round process.
Mid-June 2024: All applicants are notified of final decisions.
July-August 2024: Grants disbursed.
January 2025: 6-month check-in with grantees regarding the status of their projects.

chickeneggpics.org/programs/#research-development-grant

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Creative Capital GRANTS

Creative Capital

APPLICATION PERIOD: March 4 - April 4, 2024

The Creative Capital Award provides unrestricted project grants which can be drawn down over a multi-year period, bespoke professional development services, and community-building opportunities.

GRANT APPLICATION DETAILS:

2025: 50 Grants

Visual Arts: including painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, architecture, design, multimedia, installation, video art, performance art, new genres, craft, and socially engaged, and/or sustainable visual art-based practices
1. Performing Arts: including dance, theater (new theatrical work, playwriting), jazz, music, opera, singing, and socially engaged and/or sustainable performing arts-based practices
2. Film/Moving Image: including experimental film, short film, animation, documentary film, narrative film, and socially engaged and/or sustainable film/moving image-based practices
3. Technology: including augmented reality/virtual reality, bio art, data visualization, hardware, software, digital media, internet art, and socially engaged and/or sustainable technology-based practices
4. Literature: including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, and socially engaged and/or sustainable literature-based practices

APPLICATION CYCLE:

ROUND I: Tell us your idea. Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

How does your project take an original and imaginative approach to content and form? Please be as specific as possible. (150 words)
Please place your work in context so we may better evaluate it. What are the main influences upon your work as an artist? How does your past work inform your current project? Please use concrete examples, which may include other artists’ work, art movements, cultural heritage, science, philosophy, research/work from outside the arts field, etc. (150 words)
What kind of impact—artistic, intellectual, communal, civic, social, political, environmental, etc.—do you hope your project will have? What strategies will you employ to achieve the desired impact? (100 words)
Who are the specific audiences/communities that you hope to engage through this project? Please think beyond the broader art community where possible. How are you hoping to reach them? (100 words)
How might your proposed project act as a catalyst for your artistic and professional growth? In what ways is it a pivotal moment in your practice? (100 words)
In addition to funding, Creative Capital also provides scaffolding and support services for awardees (such as expert consultations, gatherings, alumni network, workshops). How would our non-monetary services help you to realize your goals for this project and/or your long-term artistic and professional growth? (100 words)

ROUND II: Project Details

Project itemized budget (1 page)
Project timeline (1 page)
Work samples (see application handbook for guidelines)

ROUND III: Final Panel Review

Submit proof of eligibility.
Confirm collaborators (if applicable)
Project updates (optional, 100 words max)

Full application guidelines are outlined in the Application Handbook.

2025 CREATIVE CAPITAL GRANT TIMELINE:

These dates may change.

March 4 to April 4, 2024: Letter of Inquiries (LOI) accepted
April 4, 2024 4:00 PM Eastern Time / New York Time: LOI deadline
June 2024: Notification of advancement to Round II
September 2024: Notification of advancement to Final Panel Review
January 2025: Public announcement of 2025 Creative Capital Awards

ARTIST ELIGIBILITY:

US citizen, permanent legal resident, or O-1 visa holder
At least 25 years old
Working artist(s) with at least 5 years of professional artistic practice
Applicant may not be enrolled in a degree-granting program
May not apply to the Warhol Foundation Arts Writers grant program in the same year
May not have previously received a Creative Capital Award
May not be an applicant or collaborator on more than one proposed project per year

Projects that are not eligible

Projects whose main purpose is promotional
Project is to fund ongoing operations of existing business
Curation or documentation of existing work
Projects that will be completed before January, 2025.

JUROR INFORMATION:

creative-capital.org/about-the-creative-capital-award

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BLACK & UNLIMITED FATHERHOOD PROJECT

American Black Film Festival

DEADLINE: March 10, 2024

INFO: The Black & Unlimited Fatherhood Project is a national competition created, in partnership with Walmart’s Black and Unlimited, to champion independent filmmaking while providing a platform to showcase a wide range of stories about Black fatherhood. This initiative has been designed to spotlight emerging directors and amplify the presence of Black men in their families and communities.

Three directors will be selected as winners and will receive the following:

a $10,000 cash award
an opportunity to attend and screen their films at the 2024 ABFF (Miami, June 12-16)
an industry mentorship opportunity with an established filmmaker

In addition, each film will also be featured on ABFF PLAY the festival’s online global platform and Walmart’s Black and Unlimited YouTube page.

Submit your up to 30 minute film about Black fatherhood now.

Each entry must include a signed release form downloadable HERE. At the time of submission via FilmFreeway, upload your signed copy to the PRESS area.

Full submission and eligibility details on FilmFreeway. Entrants will be notified of the festival’s decision by May 1.

abff.com/miami/black-and-unlimited-fatherhood-project/

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EPISODIC LAB

Film Independent

MEMBER DEADLINE / FEE: March 11, 2024 / $45

INFO: Designed to support writers with original long-form episodic projects, Film Independent’s Episodic Lab will accept a diverse group of 6–8 writers or writing teams and provide them with critical support and mentorship. Through personalized feedback from experienced showrunners, creative producers and executives, Fellows will gain the tools to revise and refine their pilots and navigate a changing industry landscape.

The Episodic Lab helps to further the careers of its Fellows by introducing them to industry veterans who can offer guidance on both the craft and business of writing episodic content. Each Fellow will be paired with a Creative Advisor with whom they’ll work one-on-one and in group sessions to develop their project during the month of September. Additionally, guest speakers will screen and discuss their own work to offer insights into the creative process and industry best practices. A final networking and pitch event will offer Fellows the opportunity to introduce themselves and their work to studio and network executives.

For more information on the application deadline please visit our applications page.

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation will award one participant of the Film Independent Episodic Lab a $20,000 development grant.

To apply for the Sloan Episodic Lab Grant, apply to the Episodic Lab and provide a statement on how the project fulfills the mission of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation in your cover letter. The applicant must possess the rights to the script with which they are applying. The teleplay should have a scientific, mathematical and/or technological theme and storyline or have a leading character that is a scientist, engineer or mathematician.

At this time, science fiction projects are not eligible for the Sloan Episodic Lab Grant.

WHO CAN APPLY?

The Episodic Lab is open to any emerging writer applying with a completed draft of a half hour or hour-long television pilot they wish to workshop during the program. Each applicant must be the author of the script he or she submits. The submitted pilot cannot have been pitched at any point to a studio or network.

Writing partners are welcome to apply as teams and need only submit a single application. International applicants are also welcome to apply. At this time, documentary and short-form digital series are not eligible to apply.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please read over the application form before preparing your materials. Applicants must submit the following for consideration:

Required

A cover letter introducing yourself and your interest in the Episodic Lab
One complete, original pilot
A series logline and pilot synopsis
A series description describing the story engine and series arc of the show
Project status and history, including any industry exposure
A series proposal document that includes brief descriptions of the world of the series and its premise and genre, as well as breakdowns for the show’s primary characters and their first season arcs

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Film Independent is looking for well-written, compelling, pilots with an original premise or vision. The submitted pilot may be original or adapted from optioned source material. Though applicants must submit a completed draft, the Lab is structured to support writers who are still creatively engaged in the writing process; those who welcome feedback and discussion will most benefit from the program as they further develop their work.

THE FINE PRINT:

Beyond the application fee, there is no cost or tuition to participate in any of Film Independent’s Artist Development programs.

Film Independent Membership is not required when applying to Artist Development Labs. However, all participants accepted into the Labs are required to join Film Independent at the standard annual General Membership rate of $95.

Applicants will be notified three to four weeks prior to the start of the program.

Until further notice, all Film Independent Labs will be held online.

filmindependent.org/programs/artist-development/episodic-lab/

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CATAPULT Development Grant

Catapult Film Fund

SUBMISSION PERIOD: March 11 - April 15, 2024

KEY DATES:

March 11, 2024: Application Opens on Submittable
April 15, 2024: Application Closes at 5 p.m. PT
September 2024: Grantees notified
October 2024: Grantees announced

ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants (Project Director) must be 18 years or older and cannot be enrolled in an academic institution.
Documentaries must be in development or early production with an intended length of 28 minutes or longer.
Grant funds must specifically be used to create a fundraising piece, which may include writing, shooting and editing once story and characters are in place.
Applicants 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 via previous work samples. Applicants who do not meet this criteria should demonstrate how they will be working with experienced filmmakers as key creative personnel.
Catapult does not make grants to individuals. If selected, applicants must be able to accept grants through a 501(c)(3) organization such as a fiscal sponsor. Projects may apply without a fiscal sponsor but must confirm the designated organization in order to receive funding. Learn more in our Frequently Asked Questions»

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Artful, compelling storytelling that moves you, with a preference for character-driven narratives over lesson or agenda-heavy projects
Originality of approach, content, and form
Creative and innovative storytelling techniques
Contemporary relevance with a unique perspective, style, and/or tone
Project feasibility with respect to budget, financing, schedule, and scope
Demonstrated ability of the creative team to implement previous projects
Credible access and rapport with the proposed subject(s) of the story, with attention to accountability and ethics
Significant impact of Catapult grant on development stage of the project
Potential of the project to generate public discourse and social engagement

GUIDELINES:

Grant awards range from $5000 to $25,000. If selected, grantees must have a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor to officially accept the award.
Once accepted, Catapult will provide a letter of agreement that clearly outlines use of funds, reporting, and deliverables. Report deadlines are determined by the grantee, based on project goals and timeline.
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.
Upon completion of the award period, grantees must submit the proposed fundraising piece. Grantees agree to return any funds not used for the purpose of the grant.
Grantees will be expected to acknowledge Catapult support with text and/or logo recognition in film credits, publicity, and promotional materials, as well as tickets to the film’s premiere.
Beyond the grant, Catapult serves as an early and engaged champion for our grantees by providing editorial feedback, industry connections, and mentorship based on project needs.

catapultfilmfund.org/how-to-apply/development/

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THE TO BE COMMISSIONED INITIATIVE

The Black List / Tubi

DEADLINE: March 15, 2024

INFO: The Black List and Tubi have partnered to discover five feature scripts for Tubi to purchase and develop, with the intent of greenlighting each script for production and distribution.

In order to submit for this program, you must be logged into the website and have uploaded a script.

The Black List and Tubi have partnered to discover five feature scripts for Tubi to purchase and develop, with the intent of greenlighting each script for production and distribution.

Tubi is looking for stories that appeal to a youthful audience across diverse communities. They are especially interested in science fiction, faith-based, romance and comedy movies from the LGBTQ+, Black, Latine, and AAPI communities. If a script does not fit any of the above categories, it may be submitted to the Wild Card category.

Selected scripts will first be purchased by Tubi for a predetermined amount relative to the intended film budget; from there, a Guild-minimum step deal structure will be determined with Tubi until intended greenlight and production. The Black List will also be an executive producer on each of the films.

200 fee waivers are available for this program! In order to qualify for a fee waiver, you must have a completed screenplay and identify as a writer from a traditionally underrepresented community. Please be patient as it might take some time before we can respond to your request. Fee waivers will be distributed at the discretion of the Black List and Tubi - submitting writers will be asked to elaborate on why they qualify for a fee waiver during the final stages of the program submission process.

This opportunity is open to writers at every level, WGA and otherwise, and we encourage all voices to submit their screenplay for consideration.

The selection process will work like this:

On April 1st, a long list of up to fifty scripts will be selected and the writers of those scripts will be invited to submit a resume and a personal statement. The Black List and Tubi will review those projects. On May 15th, a short list of up to twenty-five scripts will be selected from the long list and those writers will be invited to submit additional materials.

The Black List and Tubi will then identify a top tier of scripts from the short list and will interview those writers before confirming selection of the final scripts.

IMPORTANT DATES:

March 15, 2024 - Submissions Close
April 1, 2024 - Long List Notifications
May 15, 2024 - Short List Notifications
July 1, 2024 - Final Selection Notification

blcklst.com/programs/the-to-be-commissioned-initiative

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2023 MICHAEL COLLYER MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP IN SCREENWRITING

The Black List

DEADLINE: March 15, 2024

INFO: The Michael Collyer Memorial Fellowship in Screenwriting is a one-year fellowship that is awarded to an emerging screenwriter under 25 who intends to pursue a career in screenwriting. The winner receives a $10,000 stipend to write an original screenplay (not the script used to opt in to the fellowship) and is mentored during the course of the fellowship year by a prominent screenwriter. This program, now in its 16th year, is a partnership between the Writers Guild Initiative and the King Family Foundation, and this is its eighth year being hosted on blcklst.com.

The purpose of the fellowship is to provide an opportunity for an emerging screenwriter to develop an original screenplay and assist in transitioning into the professional world of screenwriting. The Writers Guild Initiative (WGI) is looking for diverse and unique voices, and for projects that are character driven and personal in nature. They are exclusively seeking feature films; no shorts, plays, or TV pilots at this time.

This year, the Black List will choose ten screenplays to send to the Writers Guild Initiative selection committee for consideration. The short list will be determined in March, and the Fellowship recipient will be selected by WGI no later than May 30, 2024. The winner of this year’s Fellowship will be announced in Spring 2024 and will be invited to attend the 2025 WGI Gala.

Please keep in mind that, upon opting in, we will verify your age, so it does not benefit you to opt in if you are not within the age bracket of 18-25. Any writers who do not fit into the age requirements for this partnership will not be considered.

Additionally, please note that you will be writing a new script for this fellowship, not rewriting the script you submitted to this opportunity. The Michael Collyer Memorial Fellowship provides the opportunity to write an entirely new script with a mentor. The submitted script is used to show your writing skills, voice, etc. and the potential for wanting to hear more of the stories that you’d want to write. You may also be asked to submit a resume and personal statement that speak to where this opportunity would fit into your overall journey as a writer.

REQUIREMENTS

Entrant must submit a full-length feature screenplay on blcklst.com during the overall submission period - November 13, 2023 through March 15, 2024.
Entrant must be the sole and exclusive author of the screenplay submitted for consideration.
Entrant must be over the age of 18 and no older than the age of 25 by 12/31/23 and competent to contract.
Entrant must not be represented by an agent or manager in the film or television industry at the time Entrant opts into this program.
Non-US citizens are eligible to apply.

If requested, the entrant must submit the following, which are also governed by the submission requirements and agreement:

A personal statement
A professional resume
Contact and other personal information
A logline and 250 word synopsis of the submitted screenplay
Two page pitch of film you'd like to write during the fellowship year
Signed originals of the Submission Agreement

Note that if you already have a script hosted on the Black List website, the deadline to opt into consideration for this fellowship is March 15, 2024. All ratings associated with the script, including those that predate the submissions period, will be considered in the final decision. Additionally, please note that you will need to have at least one evaluation of your script in order to complete the submission process for this opportunity.

blcklst.com/programs/2023-michael-collyer-memorial-fellowship-in-screenwriting

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SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS SHORT FILM COMPETITION

Voices With Impact

DEADLINE: March 17 2023

SUBMISSION FEE: $0

INFO: Voices With Impact is proud to present the Serious Mental Illness Short Film Competition.

This is an open call to submit film projects, up to 5 minutes in in length, of any genre, using Serious Mental Illness as the point of interest. Film topics may either be interpretive of Serious Mental Illness, or address it directly. We are looking for films on Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Psychosis, Bipolar Disorder, and films that take a wider view of serious mental illness - we define this as any a mental illness that significantly impairs daily life.

We do not place any formal restrictions on submissions, and will consider all genres and types of short films, including submissions utilizing original footage, shared footage, photo stills, music, essays, screenplays, original art work and more. The film must however be your own original work and you must have the correct license for any materials used within the film. There is no fee for submissions.

The submission window opens on November 10 2023 and closes on March 17 2023. Entries will be juried by our advisory board of filmmakers, students and mental health professionals. Applicants will be notified of outcomes in late May 2024. Winning films will be announced at the Voices With Impact festival June 2024.

To watch films from our library visit www.voiceswithimpact.com/archive. This should give you a good idea of the films that we accept.

This competition is supported by The Sidney R. Baer Jr. Foundation.

AWARDS + PRIZES:

We will award prizes to 3 winning entries.
Each winner will receive a cash prize of $2000 USD and have their film inducted into our film library for Distribution in our educational programming across the US & Canada.
Winning films will be announced at the Voices With Impact festival, June 2024.

RULES + TERMS:

Length and Content:

We only accept submissions as Vimeo video URLs. YouTube, Google Drive, Dropbox, and any other URL links are not accepted and will be disqualified.
Submissions must either be interpretive of serious mental illness, or address it directly to be eligible for this competition.
Submissions must be 5 minutes or less. Films longer than five (5) minutes will be disqualified.
Submissions may not advertise any product, service, brand, or other commercial interest.
Submissions that are music videos may only portray original music that you own rights to.

LANGUAGE + LOCATION:

There are no geographic limitations on entries — we accept short films made anywhere in the world!
If a submission is not in English, a translation or subtitles in English must be accessible (Closed Caption CC options turned on)

PROCESS:

If your video is listed as private, you must provide a viewing password in your submission form so our jurors are able to view it.
Participants may submit only one version of a given project. However, any participant may submit more than one project. A separate Entry must be completed for each submission.
Past winners are required to wait at least one year before re-submitting to the competition.
Film jurors from our Advisory Board who are also filmmakers may submit work, but only during competitions in which they are not serving as a juror.

CONTENTS RIGHTS:

Filmmaker agrees that all submitted films may be used by Art With Impact for educational and outreach activities and the winning filmmaker will sign a license agreement to Art With Impact that will allow both AWI and and affiliated organizations in any relevant programming in perpetuity.
Filmmakers are responsible for securing any and all necessary licenses for any third party content, including footage, music, fonts, artwork, and any other asset used in film production.

JURYING PROCEDURES:

Films will be judged by the Film Program team and select members of the Advisory Board, which comprises of filmmakers, mental health professionals, and students.
To select the winner, jurors respond to the 10 questions found in the contest FAQ.
Art With Impact reserves the right to not award a prize ($2,000 cash) if submissions do not meet the jury’s standards for both content and production value.

TOPIC FOCUS:

This competition is inspired by the life and legacy of Sidney Baer Jr. and supported by the Baer Foundation.
The three winning films will tell authentic stories of people living with serious mental illnesses with the goal of reducing stigma and opening opportunities for dialogue and learning.

filmfreeway.com/mentalhealthfilmcompetition

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NHMC's Series Scriptwriters Program

National Hispanic Media Coalition

DEADLINE: March 18, 2024 by 11:59pm PST

INFO: Aspiring Latinx writers with a strong desire to write for streaming & television are encouraged to apply!

This program is virtual, to run Monday-Friday evenings, and Saturday mornings over the course of the 8 weeks. On-screen participation in all meetings is mandatory.

ELIGIBILITY:

You must be 18 years or older
You must have access to reliable internet connection to participate in daily video conferencing
Entertainment industry experience is not required
Writing teams cannot apply

PROGRAM DATES: 5/28/24 – 7/19/24

REQUIRED APPLICATION CRITERIA:

Resume (maximum 1 page) - Please submit a current professional resume. Make sure to include any relevant writing experience. However, this is not exclusively a writing resume, do include any experience that you feel enhances what you bring to the table as a writer even if it’s not directly writing-related.
Bio (maximum 200 words) - Think of your Bio and Statement of Purpose as non-fiction writing samples. These are equally as important as your script in giving us a sense of your unique voice. With your bio, think of it as part of what you might say in your elevator pitch about yourself. Tell us a story about who you are beyond what you have included on your resume.
Statement of Purpose (maximum 500 words) - Use this section to answer the following questions: Why do you write? What motivates you to tell those stories? What is your personal connection to your material? Why is writing for the small screen your passion?
List of Writing Samples - Please provide a list of your completed writing samples - title and logline (1-2 sentences max) only. On this list please include reference to any pilots, specs, features, shorts, short stories, published articles, etc, which you’ve written. If any of the work was with a writing partner or team, make note of which items were written as a collaboration. Note: All samples you list should be work you feel is polished enough to be read by execs, showrunners, etc.
Writing Sample - Please submit a properly formatted pilot or spec script. We will accept the following:

- 1-hour (max 59 pages)
- Half-hour (max 35 pages)

Your sample can be any genre including, but not limited to:

- Drama
- Dramedy
- Comedy
- Animation

Writing Samples NOT Accepted:

- Features
- Short Film script
- Novels
- Plays
- Poems
- Any other alternative samples
Logline (1-2 sentences)

nhmc.org/writers/

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The Signpost Fellowship

Chisa Hutchinson

DEADLINE: March 22, 2024 (or when the first 200 submissions have been received)

INFO: The Signpost Fellowship is a six-month situation intended for a person of color (singular-- sorry, no writing partners) age 18 or over who's interested in shadowing professional playwright or screenwriter of color. What that looks like is entirely up to you and your Writer-Mentor but could involve:

being invited to meetings, auditions, rehearsals, and events
giving and receiving feedback on script drafts
performing dramaturgical research
fielding bottomless requests for bios and headshots
figuring out wtf to do with a stack of 1099s

Oh, and there's $2500 in it for you.

INTERESTED IN APPLYING?

Drop a short message below describing where you are in life and how this opportunity could be helpful to you.
Attach a short (10-page maximum) dramatic writing sample. (That means plays or screenplays-- no essays, short stories, haiku, etc.) PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT THE SAMPLE HAS A TITLE THE AUTHOR NAME, AND THAT THE TITLE OF THE DOCUMENT IS FORMATTED LIKE THIS: TITLE - Author Last Name. We can't process it otherwise.
The deadline is Friday, March 22nd OR when the first 200 submissions have been received.
Finalists will be selected by Friday, June 28th.
Interviews will be conducted in the weeks following.
The recipient(s) will be selected by Friday, August 2nd.

POSSIBLE WRITER-MENTORS (click name for info):

chisahutchinson.com/the-signpost-fellowship.html

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THE WRITERS LAB US 2024

DEADLINE: March 28, 2024

ENTRY FEE: $65

INFO: TWL US is a 4-day retreat in New York that focuses on project, craft, and career development for selected women and non-binary screenwriters 40+. Writers undergo deep development work on their projects, with revision guidance and career support from the experienced TWL team and some of the industry’s best writers and producers in one-on-one and group sessions. Shared meals and group activities provide an opportunity for broader conversations and creative exchange.

Writers selected to participate are expected to provide their own transportation to and from New York City. TWL provides transportation between New York City and the retreat itself, along with food and accommodations at the retreat venue.

The Writers Lab US is produced by co-founders Elizabeth Kaiden and Nitza Wilon, with New York Women in Film & Television. It is presented in collaboration with the Writers Guild of America, East, with in-kind support from The Black List, Falco Ink, Film Fatales and Roadmap Writers.

It is supported by Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, the Lynch Hall Charitable Fund and the Meg and Alex Weidner Family Foundation.

BENEFITS

All applicants receive an overview of TWL Readers’ scores on submitted screenplays.

Participating Writers gain:

Individualized feedback, insights and guidance on their selected project and their craft;
Understanding of industry standards, practices, expectations and predilections, and strategies and resources for navigating them;
Extensive ongoing alumnae support, including a community of peers and a network of relationships that can extend well beyond the program;
Exposure and opportunities beyond the Lab;
Resources and year-round supplemental programming from The Writers Lab.
The Lab aims to build skills, confidence and community, and to prepare writers for collaborative work and market demands.

The Writers Lab network of producing, partnering and supporting entities has included:

TWL US co-founders Elizabeth Kaiden and Nitza Wilon
New York Women in Film & Television
Untamed Stories producers Julia Berg and Ruth Spencer
TWL US Mentors & Speakers: Anya Epstein (The Affair), Susan Cartsonis(What Women Want), Lisa Cortés (Precious), Amy Fox (The Conners), Daniela Gonzalez (Good Fear Content), Pamela Gray (A Walk on the Moon), Rita Hsaio (Mulan), Melissa James Gibson (House of Cards), Jennifer Kassabian (Carter), Meg LeFauve (Inside Out), Robina Lord-Stafford (Moonshine), Riva Marker (Beasts of No Nation), Leah Meyerhoff (Film Fatales, I Believe in Unicorns), Gina Prince-Blythewood (The Woman King), Erica Saleh (One of Us is Lying), Tracey Scott Wilson (The Americans), Susan Seidelman (Desperately Seeking Susan), Mary Jane Skalski (The Station Agent), Kiwi Smith (Legally Blonde), Shelby Stone (The Chi), Robin Swicord (Memoirs of a Geisha), Frida Torresblanco (Pan's Labyrinth), Pat Verducci(True Crime), Jamie Zelermyer (Focus Features).

writers.coverfly.com/competitions/view/the-writers-lab-us

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call for films

The Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series

DEADLINES:

Early Bird - March 29, 2024
Regular - April 30, 2024
Final - May 24, 2024

APPLICATION INFO:

YOU MUST SUBMIT PRODUCTION STILLS/PHOTOS and a TRAILER for your submission to be ELIGIBLE AND COMPLETE. You can screenshot photos from your film if you were unable to hire a photographer.

For complete application visit www.reelsisters.org

AWARDS + PRIZES

CASH AWARDS FOR 2024

Best Narrative Short - $1,000
Best Director - $500
Best Screenplay - $300
Best Animation - $200

filmfreeway.com/ReelSistersoftheDiasporaFilmFestival

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PROJECT: HATCHED 2024

Chicken & Egg Pictures

DEADLINE: April 1, 2024

INFO: At Chicken & Egg Pictures, we believe that all nonfiction films, from the overtly political to films that are abstract or personal, have the power to impact their viewers, their communities, and beyond. We define impact as the transformative effect that films can have in creating personal, cultural, and/or social change, particularly for the individuals most affected by the issues addressed in the documentary. Through this program, we aim to support filmmakers who have a strategic vision for the impact they want to achieve, while also embracing diverse interpretations of what “impact” and “engagement” mean, and how that can manifest throughout the lifespan of their film.

Project: Hatched will provide grants of $30,000 USD each to 10 directing teams from around the world, who have plans to strategize, build, and launch an impact campaign for their film.

The film must have been completed and premiered (see criteria for what constitutes a premiere in the Eligibility section) between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024. You can start an application anytime during the open call period, but please only submit an application if your premiere occurs within that time frame. If you don’t have a confirmed premiere yet, please refrain from submitting an application.

We designed this program with flexibility in mind. Out of the $30,000 USD grant, a minimum of $15,000 USD must be allocated towards an impact campaign, and up to $15,000 USD can be used for post-production/completion expenses (including already incurred expenses) or distribution expenses (such as marketing, festival fees, sales agent fees, etc). In addition to funding, grantees will become part of our AlumNest community, which provides peer support and deeper connections in the documentary film industry.

ELIGIBILITY
*New eligibility updates for 2024*

In addition to the eligibility criteria listed below this section, the following additions have been made:

Films previously supported by Chicken & Egg Pictures are now eligible to apply.

Community screening premieres are now eligible to apply. Eligible screenings are considered to be at venues with a minimum seating capacity of approximately 50 or more people.

Please continue reading below for the full eligibility criteria.

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY:

To be eligible for this grant, filmmakers must meet the following criteria:

Must identify as a woman (cis or trans) or gender-expansive director.
Our working definition of gender-expansive is that it is an umbrella term that includes any person whose gender identity (including but not limited to non-binary, trans, third gender/two spirit, agender) or gender expression does not comply with the socially defined gender norms and roles of their culture.
If you are unsure of whether you are gender-expansive, please refer to the gender expansion page on our website for more information.
Must be committed to implementing an impact campaign for the film.
Can be based anywhere in the world, except for the countries which are under comprehensive US sanctions, which include: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the following regions of Ukraine: Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk. Further information on why filmmakers based in these countries/regions are ineligible to apply can be found here.
If you are originally from these countries/regions but are based outside of them, you are still eligible to apply.
Please note: If you are making a film that takes place in one of these countries/regions, you may apply, but you will not be able to spend the grant in such countries/regions.
Note: Filmmakers who have previously received support from Chicken & Egg Pictures are eligible to apply to Project: Hatched 2024, whether they are applying with a film that has already received support or a completely new film.

FILM ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants to this grant must submit a film for consideration that meets the following criteria:

Must be a documentary or nonfiction film (including hybrid docs).
Can be of any length, whether short, medium, or feature.
Must have been completed and premiered between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024. Eligible premieres include:
Festival premiere: Any festival is eligible as long as the film has world premiere status). You must submit a screenshot or link to a public page of the festival showing the premiere date and premiere status.
Community screening: We consider eligible community screenings that take place at verifiable venues with a minimum seating capacity of approximately 50+ people. To qualify for the community screening premiere, you will need to:
Verify the venue and the community screening event. Please provide one of the following:
A link or a screenshot to the venue listing the event
A link to a social media listing or website with information about the venue and event details.
Confirm the venue’s seating capacity. Please provide a link or screenshot to the venue’s seating capacity, often listed on the venue’s rental/logistics webpage.
Must be planning for a continued release or distribution, whether that is theatrical, educational or broadcast.
Must have clear impact goals and objectives.

The film is not eligible if:

It does not meet the eligibility requirements listed above.
It is a series.
It is a VR or interactive project.
Its plans are solely limited to a marketing strategy.

For more details, please review the full list of FAQs at the end of this page. If you have any questions regarding our open call that are not addressed in the FAQs, you can contact us at ph_opencall@chickeneggpics.org.

TIMELINE:

January 16, 2024: Project: Hatched application opens.
April 1, 2024, at 3:00 PM ET: Project: Hatched application deadline.
April-July 2024: Chicken & Egg Pictures processes and reviews applications in a two-round process.
August 2024: All applicants are notified of final decisions.
August – September 2024: Grants disbursed and introductory calls are conducted with grantees.
December 2024: 4-month check-in: written status update
April 2025: 8-month check-in: written status update and final calls with grantees.

chickeneggpics.org/programs/#project-hatched

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Bayard Rustin Residency

Penington Friends House

DEADLINE: April 1, 2024

INFO: We are currently accepting applications for the 2024-2025 Bayard Rustin Residency.

Building on the social activist history of Penington’s founders, original board, and later residents, the Bayard Rustin Residency at Penington Friends House (PFH) is envisioned as an ongoing ladder to empowerment for Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) working to end Systemic Racism and to create a culture of anti-Racism and intersectional equality in the United States of America. It is also intended to extend and strengthen the wider Quaker witness to equality.

Beginning in September of 2024, this residency will provide up to one year of room and board to a person who demonstrates a strong project that addresses ending Systemic Racism and who has a necessity to be in New York City for up to one year. They will reside at the Penington Friends House located in New York City’s Lower East Side of Manhattan. The Bayard Rustin Resident will demonstrate a need to live in Manhattan. Areas of focus of their work can include activism in the arts, policy change, human rights, community organizing, and other areas of activism focusing on ending racism and strengthening equality. Residents will meet regularly with the Residency Manager and will be expected to share their progress with the New York City community in the form of presentations or workshops.

The resident does not have to be Quaker but their work should be shaped by and in harmony with our tenants of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship. The resident will be expected to be a full-time resident of PFH and be participating member of this intentional community. This includes eating chef prepared dinners with the other residents and participating in shared light house chores. (1 1/2 hour commitment per week on average.) The Penington Friends House’s approach to living collaboratively may be new to you. We encourage to look at our website and instagram account (@Penington_friends_house) to gain a better understanding of what we are. Feel free to call us as well with questions. We are LGBTQ embracing community. We believe Black Lives Matter. We are always working to be a safe space and an anti-racist community.

Resident selection is made through a BIPOC committee of Quakers and non-Quakers and is based on the strength of the applicants work and proposed project. Final approval of the Bayard Rustin resident is made by the Penington Friends House Residents and staff, in the same interview process that all other residents are approved to live at the Penington. Applicants should note that the Bayard Rustin Resident bedroom is on the 4th floor of an historic Brownstone. An elevator is not available. Bathrooms are shared with other floor residents. This residency covers the cost of rent, boarding (food) provided 5 nights a week, internet, cable, and heat/AC. A stipend and studio space is NOT currently provided.

Here are a few types of artists and activists activities that we would be interested in considering. Please contact us before applying if you are not sure your project would fit our call.

An artist working on a body of art that addresses racism and/or intersectional issues.
A writer working on a new book, play, screenplay, or collection that addresses racism and/or intersectional issues.
A performer creating a new dance piece that addresses racism and/or intersectional issues.
A community based artist designing or carrying out a community based project that addresses racism and/or intersectional issues.
An activist organizing communities to address racism and/or intersectional issues.
A social entrepreneur that is starting a non-profit focused on addressing racism and/or intersectional issues.
An inventor or designer working on solving a problem associated with systemic racism and/or intersectional issues.
A graduate student that has a strong and well defined anti-racism project that needs support and time to launch.

Background
The residency is named after Bayard Rustin who was a Quaker and an attender at 15th Street Monthly Meeting in New York City. This meeting (Quaker house of worship) is next to the Penington Friends House. Rustin worked commitedly for the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. He was an advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on nonviolence. Rustin was also a chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and a founding member of the Freedom Riders. He was an early advocate for gay rights. Rustin’s later work included a heavy focus on refugee affairs. Rustin served as Vice Chairman of the International Rescue Committee, helped to found the National Emergency Coalition for Haitian Refugees, and was Chairman of the Executive Committee of Freedom House. He died in 1987. In 2013, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Rustin the Presidential Medal of Freedom. ( Source rustinfund.org)

penington.org/rustin-residency/

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2024–25 American Library in Paris Visiting Fellowship

The American Library in Paris

DEADLINE: April 1, 2024

INFO: The American Library in Paris Visiting Fellowship was created in 2013 to nurture and sustain a heritage as old as the Library itself: deepening French-American understanding. The Visiting Fellowship offers writers and researchers an opportunity to pursue a creative project in Paris for a month or longer while participating actively in the life of the American Library.

There are two one-month Fellowship periods a year in fall and spring, with dates to be specified later.

A $5,000 stipend will be paid before start of a Fellowship period. The award, to be spent at the discretion of the Fellow, is designed to cover travel to Paris, accommodation, and expenses associated with the month in Paris. In addition to the stipend, the Library will connect the fellow to resources and people in Paris that could be helpful to his or her project.

The American Library in Paris Visiting Fellowship is made possible through the generous support of The de Groot Foundation.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

We welcome the applications of all researchers, journalists, writers (both fiction and non-fiction), poets, screenwriters, playwrights, directors, and documentary filmmakers.

Applicants should be researching or working on a project that contributes to cross-cultural discourse. Particular attention will be paid to an applicant’s ability to offer the Library’s community a variety of opportunities for exploring a topic. All topics and subject matters are eligible.

Applicants need not be American. International applicants are encouraged. The proposed project must be in English. Members of the Library governance are not eligible recipients of a Visiting Fellowship.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF VISITING FELLOWS?

Visiting Fellows must be in Paris during the period of the fellowship, and are expected to be present in the American Library for a minimum of three half-days a week. During their residency, fellows will present an hour-long evening program at the Library, participate in a Library reception, meet with staff informally to explore a topic of mutual interest, and extend the Library’s reach by participating in events arranged by the Library with other organizations in Paris.

At the conclusion of the Visiting Fellowship period, fellows will provide the Library and the funding foundation with a written report of the Fellowship experience. Fellows are expected to appropriately acknowledge the Library and the Visiting Fellowship in publications and print media related to the Fellowship project. Fellows will participate in the Library’s social media communication, fundraising campaigns, and other public events.

HOW TO APPLY?

This year’s application form asked applicants to provide a single file containing:

A cover letter (one page) and CV (two pages max.).
The narrative description of your project (one page max.). In this description, please indicate the timeline and current stage of the project, what you hope to accomplish during your residency period, and why a fellowship at the American Library will contribute to its success.
Three proposals (max. 50 words each) for cultural programs at the Library during your residency period. These can include evening conversations, workshops, performances, panels, or other event formats.
The names and contacts of two professional references.
A one-time application fee of 30 €.

americanlibraryinparis.org/visiting-fellowship

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Sesame Workshop Writers' Room

Sesame Workshop

DEADLINE: April 8, 2024 by 12pm EST

INFO: Sesame Workshop Writers’ Room is a writing fellowship from the creators of Sesame Street.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:

Up to 8 writers will be selected
Sessions are expected to take place virtually from July to August 2024
Learn from industry writers, producers, agents and executives
Learn and complete all steps of creating an original pilot episode script
Includes eight, three-hour sessions on creating original children’s content
Up to two participants will have the opportunity to receive creative development deals and further mentorship

APPLICATION CHECK LIST:

Application form: Application must be submitted by April 8th, 2024 12PM EST.
Original script sample: 11-page maximum; should NOT contain Sesame Street elements, characters, or intellectual property; can be an excerpt from a larger piece wholly written by the applicant; must model a 3 act story structure; and be kid-friendly content for viewers up to age 12…we’re looking for great characters and stories that inspire kids to be smarter, stronger and kinder!
Resumes: 2-page maximum. Anything longer will be disqualified. More info on your script: what’s the bigger picture/idea of your script sample? (up to 100 words)
Personal statement: tell us about yourself, for example, why you want to write for children’s educational media, how your experiences influence the stories you tell, why you value diversity/representation in children’s media, etc. (up to 250 words)

ELIGIBILITY CHECK LIST:

Participants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
No extensive media writing experience, such as having written more than six episodes for a network or cable scripted/narrative series
Participants must be 21+ years old
Participants must be able to attend and complete writing assignments for all 8 sessions, which will be held virtually from June to August 2024

sesameworkshop.org/our-work/fellowships/writers-room

TV / FILM — FEBRUARY 2024

January 30, 2024

2024 COURAGE TO WRITE GRANTS

The de Groot Foundation

DEADLINE: February 5, 2024

APPLICATION FEE: $22.00

INFO: The de Groot Foundation will award thirty COURAGE to WRITE unrestricted grants to writers in 2024.

Ten COURAGE to WRITE grants of $7000 each and twenty Writer of Note grants of $1500 each. These grants are meant to encourage and support writers as they further or complete a specific project. The Writer of Note grantees are chosen from the pool of finalists for the COURAGE to WRITE grants.

GUIDELINES: Applicants for COURAGE to WRITE grants may be writing in any genre. We welcome projects of fiction, nonfiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, YA, children’s books, plays, and screenplays.

WHO SHOULD APPLY: Writers over 18 years of age who are actively engaged in a writing project and for whom a monetary boost could help them further or complete a project.

ELIGIBILITY:

Applications:

are open to individual writers over 18 years of age regardless of race, ethnicity, gender orientation, education, economic situation, geographic origin or location.
must be submitted in English.
are not open to family, members of the board or employees of the The de Groot Foundation, Lando family members, reviewers, or the selection committee.
Applicants must be individuals. Companies or organizations are not eligible.
If you’ve already received a writing grant from The de Groot Foundation, please wait a year before applying again.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please read this section carefully before preparing or submitting your application. We receive grant applications through the Submittable platform. If you have an account already, click the button at the bottom of this page and login to apply. If you do not have an account, you will need to create a free account in order to apply. You can create an account here: https://manager.submittable.com/signup

Application

There are three parts to your application: 1) a biosketch, 2) the letter of application, 3) your writing sample

Your biosketch

a. A brief statement about you, what matters in your work, what you’ve written, what you want to write, and something about you as a person

b. Limited to no more than 100 words

c. Your biosketch will be inserted into a form on the application so have this ready to cut and paste.

2. The letter of application (2-4 pages) which must include:

a. An introduction to the writing project for which you are seeking support (1-3 paragraphs)

b. How this project is important (1-2 paragraphs)

c. How a grant at this time would be helpful to you and how you would use the funds (2-3 paragraphs)

d. Anything else you would like us to know about you as a writer (1 paragraph)

e. Please address the letter to: Dear COURAGE to WRITE Reviewers

f. Please double space your letter of application and use Times New Roman 12-point font.

The paragraph suggestions above are recommendations. Should you wish to add a paragraph in a section and have one fewer in another that is fine as long as the needed information is well conveyed.

3. Writing sample

a. Please submit an unpublished writing sample, which relates to the project for which you are requesting funds. Do not submit a previously published writing sample.

b. Your unpublished writing sample should be five pages.

c. The writing sample, like the letter of application, should be double spaced and in Times New Roman 12-point font.

d. Exceptions:

i. Poetry: Use your original poetry formatting. You do not need to double space the poems. There can be more than one poem on a page.

ii. Screenplay or a play: You may submit up to 12 pages of a sample using the standard formatting for plays or screenplays.

iii. Graphic novel: You may include up to 10 pages of prose and graphics for the writing sample. Please submit by PDF.

IMPORTANT: The letter of application and the five pages of your current writing project must be uploaded as a SINGLE DOCUMENT. Please make sure you have merged them as a SINGLE DOCUMENT before you submit.

Submit your application through the Submittable platform, which you will be directed to below. Make sure your document is ready and exactly as you want it to be before uploading. Once you have submitted an application, you are unable to change it.

Format:

Use Times New Roman 12-point font and double space your application document.
Numbering pages is optional.

Application Timeline:

Grant recipients will receive an automatic notification from Submittable once your application is received.
Finalists will be notified by the end of April 2024.
Grant awardees will be notified by the end of May 2024.

Review and Selection:

You’ll be sent a message when your application has been received.

Stage 1 Review: All eligible applications are read by teams of reviewers. Depending on the discretion of the reviewers, between 40 to 60 finalist applications are chosen.
Stage 2 Review: Finalist applications are evaluated by the final Selection Committee. This committee chooses the ten COURAGE to WRITE grantees. From the remaining applications, this committee will then pick the 20 Writer of Note grantees.

The Selection Committees are writers and writing professionals who appreciate the challenges of emerging writers. Selection Committee decisions are final. Correspondence will only be entered into with finalists and grantees.

Grantees will be asked to complete a Grant Acceptance Agreement and, if appropriate, a U.S. W-9 tax form. One year after receipt of funding, grantees agree to complete and return a one-to-three-page final report so that we can learn about your project and the grant’s impact on your work.

degrootfoundation.org/courage-to-write-grants/

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2024 LANDO GRANT

The de Groot Foundation

DEADLINE: February 5, 2024

APPLICATION FEE: $22.00

The de Groot Foundation is thrilled to collaborate with Barry Lando, award winning investigative journalist and former 60 Minutes producer, to provide the LANDO grants for immigration, migration, and/or refugee writing.

GUIDELINES: Applicants for LANDO grants may be writing in any genre. We welcome projects of fiction, nonfiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, YA, children’s books, plays, and screenplays.

WHO SHOULD APPLY: Writers over 18 years of age who are actively engaged in a writing project and for whom a monetary boost could help them further or complete a project.

ELIGIBILITY:

Applications:

are open to individual writers over 18 years of age regardless of race, ethnicity, gender orientation, education, economic situation, geographic origin or location.
must be submitted in English.
are not open to family, members of the board or employees of the The de Groot Foundation, Lando family members, reviewers, or the selection committees.
Applicants must be individuals. Companies or organizations are not eligible.
If you’ve already received a writing grant from The de Groot Foundation, please wait a year before applying again.

HOW TO APPLY:

We want all applications to be considered. Please read this section carefully before preparing or submitting your application. We receive grant applications through the Submittable platform. If you have an account already, click the button at the bottom of this page and login to apply. If you do not have an account, you will need to create a free account in order to apply. You can create an account here: https://manager.submittable.com/signup

Application

There are three parts to your application: 1) a biosketch, 2) the letter of application, 3) your writing sample

1. Your biosketch

A brief statement about you, what matters in your work, what you’ve written, what you want to write, and something about you as a person
Limited to no more than 100 words
Your biosketch will be inserted into a form on the application so have this ready to cut and paste.

2. The letter of application (2-4 pages) which must include:

An introduction to the writing project for which you are seeking support (1-3 paragraphs)
How this project is important (1-2 paragraphs)
How a grant at this time would be helpful to you and how you would use the funds (2-3 paragraphs)
Anything else you would like us to know about you as a writer (1 paragraph)
Please address the letter to: Dear LANDO Reviewers
Please double space your letter of application and use Times New Roman 12-point font.

The paragraph suggestions above are recommendations. Should you wish to add a paragraph in a section and have one fewer in another that is fine as long as the needed information is well conveyed.

3. Writing sample

Please submit a writing sample which relates to the project for which you are requesting funds. Do not submit a previously published writing sample.
Your unpublished writing sample should be five pages.
The writing sample, like the letter of application, should be double spaced and in Times New Roman 12-point font.
Exceptions:

i. Poetry: Use your original poetry formatting. You do not need to double space the poems. There can be more than one poem on a page.

ii. Screenplay or a play: Please submit a one to two page synopsis of the screenplay or play and up to 12 pages of a sample script using the standard formatting for plays or screenplays.

iii. Graphic novel: You may include up to 10 pages of prose and graphics for the writing sample. Please submit by PDF.

FORMAT:

Use Times New Roman 12-point font and double space your application document.
Numbering pages is optional.

Grant recipients will receive an automatic notification from Submittable once your application is received.

Finalists will be notified by early April 2024.

Grant awardees will be notified by early May 2024.

degrootfoundation.org/2024-lando-grant-guidelines/

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AT&T UNTOLD STORIES

AT&T / Tribeca Festival

DEADLINE: February 6, 2024

INFO: Untold Stories is a multi-year, multi-tier alliance between AT&T and Tribeca Festival that awards $1 million dollars, mentorship, and comprehensive support to systemically underrepresented filmmakers to produce their films.

This unique partnership has already made a major impact on inclusivity in film. Following the first four nationally-distributed films, Nigerian Prince, Lucky Grandma, Marvelous and the Black Hole, and Land of Gold, Smoking Tigers is currently screening on the festival circuit. Untold Stories’ next feature Color Book will premiere in 2024.

At the 2024 Tribeca Festival, 5 new talented and diverse filmmaking teams will pitch their original feature scripted film projects to an esteemed Greenlight Committee of industry professionals to decide who will be the next $1 million dollar prize recipient.

The winning film will be guaranteed a premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Festival, subject to timely delivery of the film, and dedicated distribution support. The additional 4 teams will receive a $15,000 grant for development support.

Participating films receive extensive exposure for their stories through dedicated content and press opportunities. Films in Untold Stories have the potential to connect with industry and audiences alike, which has allowed over 40% of all participating films to be completed.

tribecafilm.com/attuntoldstories

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2024 SUNDANCE IGNITE X ADOBE FELLOWSHIP

The Sundance Institute / Adobe

DEADLINE: February 7, 2024 at 11 am PST

INFO: The Sundance Institute and Adobe are teaming up to find the next 10 Sundance Ignite x Adobe Fellows—emerging filmmakers (ages 18 to 25) who are creating stories that bring their passion, voice, and perspective to life.

The Sundance Ignite program identifies and supports new voices and talent from the next generation of filmmakers by providing artistic and professional development to advance filmmakers to the next stage in their filmmaking. The yearlong Sundance Ignite x Adobe Fellowship is open to emerging documentary and fiction filmmakers between ages 18 and 25. The fellowship begins with a weeklong lab orienting filmmakers to the fellowship and year ahead.

Throughout the year, filmmakers will:

Work with a Sundance Institute alumni mentor
Receive a $3,000 artist grant
Participate as a cohort in monthly webinars, workshops and workshares throughout the year
Receive a complimentary Adobe Creative Cloud 12-month membership, where Creative Cloud is available.

To choose this year’s fellows, we’re asking filmmakers to submit a one- to 15-minute short that shows us their artistic vision and unique voice. Submissions aren’t limited to any genre or topic — the only requirement is that they represent the filmmaker’s perspective as an artist. You will also include materials in support of a new project that you intend to work on throughout the fellowship.

For resources to help craft your submission, check out the Sundance Collab Filmmaker Toolkit.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

One entry per person.
Films submitted must be under 15 minutes long (including credits) and must have been completed within the last 12 months, as of February 7, 2024.
Accepted video file formats: AVI, FLV, MOV, MP4, or MPEG-2.
Note: If you choose to upload a .MOV file, make sure that it is not using the Apple ProRes compression. We do not support reading Apple ProRes files or raw camera formats like ARRI and RED at this time.
An active project is required for the fellowship, however there is no obligation or expectation to complete the project during the fellowship.
Materials supporting a project that you intend to work on throughout the yearlong fellowship. These can include lookbooks, five pages of a script, treatments and pitch decks. Note: Materials must be in a PDF format.

collab.sundance.org/catalog/2024-Sundance-Ignite-x-Adobe-Fellowship-Application

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ADOC IMPACT FELLOWSHIP

Asian American Documentary Network

DEADLINE: February 8, 2024 by 11:59pm ET

INFO: The A-Doc Impact Fellowship seeks social justice-oriented leaders, filmmakers, impact strategists, thinkers, doers, and believers with ideas for projects that organize within and support AAPI communities to bring about long-term, equitable social change by leveraging nonfiction film, narrative strategies, or storytelling.

A-Doc will award three (3) Impact Fellows a grant ($20,000) towards the implementation of their Impact project and a year-long fellowship program (12 months, March 2024 – March 2025), designed for the Impact Fellows to be in community with a cohort of peers, collaborators, co-conspirators, and leaders within the documentary film and social justice ecosystem. A-Doc will carefully craft the program to be tailored towards the needs of each Impact project to provide the optimal amount of support and mentorship required. Fellows are expected to complete their proposed projects by the end of the fellowship.

GUIDELINES: We will consider projects that focus on one or more of our broad goals of the Impact Fellowship supporting individuals leading projects within AAPI communities to bring about long-term, equitable social change that leverages an aspect of nonfiction film, narrative strategies, or storytelling. In our view, there are numerous, intersecting issues that have historically and continue to impact our AAPI communities—for example, working-class immigrants fighting exploitation and gentrification; combating the rise of anti-AAPI hate; campaigns to decriminalize massage therapy; undocumented folks fighting for a pathway to citizenship; as well as efforts to envision and create alternatives to our current systems and structures that negatively impact AAPI communities.

We expect applicants to make the case that their projects have the potential to contribute something valuable to the debate and discussions around AAPI movements. We are living in unprecedented times, where issues impacting the AAPI communities are exceptionally complex and involve an array of interrelated social, economic, political, and historical dynamics. As such, to the extent that it’s relevant to applicants’ proposed work, we encourage applicants to demonstrate how their projects fit within the current social and political moment, and AAPI movement and organizing work past and present. We encourage applicants to contextualize their projects, and propose how the project moves us toward a more just and equitable society for our AAPI communities.

Who is the Impact Fellowship for?

While we do not limit how any applicant identify as part of their craft and work, here are some examples of who the Impact Fellowship is for:

Filmmakers / Impact Producers – While the Impact Fellowship is not designed to support a film’s impact campaign, it can support an individual—who can be a part of a film project—to better position their already in place or envisioned strategies for impact. There will need to be distinction that the award is not directly supporting an impact campaign or production costs, but instead is building off the impact work.
- E.g. A filmmaker with an ongoing impact campaign who intends to use the funds to pay for the campaign costs will not be eligible.
- E.g. A filmmaker, who is committed to impact work in film, wants to use the funds to create filmmaking workshops for AAPI youth as a way of democratizing access to the medium. This can be eligible.
Social Justice Activists / Organizers – You are an activist / organizer working within AAPI communities that is seeking to create a new project that ensures our people are seen, heard and empowered.
- E.g. You work at an organization that leads campaigns directly working to support AAPI communities, and you want to lead a storytelling workshop of oral traditions that shares knowledge, art, ideas and cultural materials that are received, preserved, and transmitted orally from one generation to another.
Community Leaders – You are a leader and/or directly impacted member of an AAPI community that is working to address an issue that impacts your community.
Policy Makers – You are working to create structural transformation for AAPI communities through policy advocacy, and you want to leverage non-fiction film or storytelling as part of your work.

INFO SESSION & FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Watch the recording of the Impact Fellowship Info Session HERE. Check out a compiled FAQ list HERE.

KEY DATES:

Info Session: January 11, 2024 at 7pm ET — Watch the recording HERE.
Applications Closes: February 8, 2024 at 11:59PM ET
A-Doc Impact Fellowship Review Period: January 11, 2024 – February 15, 2024
Award Notification: February 22, 2024
Fellowship Period: March 2024 – March 2025

a-doc.org/impact-fellowship/

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macdowell fellowship: 2024 Fall/Winter

MacDowell

DEADLINE: February 10, 2024, at 11:59pm ET

INFO: The Fellowship application period for 2024 Fall/Winter residencies at MacDowell is now open!

MacDowell encourages artists to apply in any stage of their career, and from all backgrounds and countries. We invite applications in the following disciplines: architecture, film/video arts, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theatre, and visual arts. If your proposed project does not fall clearly within one of these artistic disciplines, contact the admissions department for guidance at admissions@macdowell.org.

We also encourage you to watch our “How to Apply to MacDowell's Residency Program” video on our YouTube channel for detailed instructions on our application process.

MacDowell has no residency fees, and to defray expenses that accrue during an artist’s stay, we provide need-based stipends to cover rent, utilities, childcare, and lost income from taking time off from employment, as well as reimbursements for travel to and from the residency.

Fall/Winter residencies will take place between September 1, 2024 and February 28, 2025.

macdowell.org/apply/apply-for-fellowship

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2024 RESidencies

Vermont Studio Center

DEADLINE: February 15, 2024

INFO: Vermont Studio Center is pleased to invite applications for its residency program for writers working in all genres. The Maverick Studio Building offers views of the Gihon River and daily inspiration.

Accepted residents will enjoy access to:

Visiting Artists & Writers Program
private accommodation
private studio space
delicious fresh daily meals

Residency sessions are approximately 2-, 3-, and 4-weeks. Each residency offers a supportive environment where you can further develop your writing projects, finish your manuscript, make deep revisions, start a new project, and more.

Vermont Studio Center accepts writers working in all genres, and includes the following:

fiction
creative nonfiction
poetry
screen/playwriting
hybrid*
translation

vermontstudiocenter.org/fellowships

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The Diverso Fellowship

Diverso

DEADLINE: February 20, 2024

ENTRY FEE: $25

INFO: DIVERSO is a student-run film nonprofit dedicated to changing the face of entertainment by empowering the next generation of underrepresented storytellers.

In partnership with THE WRITERS GUILD FOUNDATION, we have created The Diverso Fellowship: a paid internship program for minority student screenwriters.

Vetted by a rigorous committee of industry readers, four talented students will spend ten weeks over the summer fine-tuning a writing sample with a personalized mentor, attending panels and classes with industry leaders, and learning from the best by shadowing in a writers' room.

Selected students will receive a $6,000 stipend to support a part-time commitment over 10 weeks. Interns are expected to make a 20-hour commitment each week. The internship program will be hosted virtually over the summer (tentatively set for June 6th - August 19th).

BENEFITS

$6000 Stipend
Distribution to Agencies and Production Co's: Fellows' scripts will be sent to over a dozen agents and producers at different companies including A24, Blumhouse, Anonymous Content, Paradigm, United Talent Agency, and more.
Virtual Panels with Top Industry Professionals:

Previous speakers include:

The Daniels, EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
Shaka King, JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Jessica Gao, RICK & MORTY
Amy Aniobi, INSECURE
JD Dillard, STARWARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER
Dennis Liu, RAISING DION

General Meetings: Our fellows will be set up on 5+ general meetings with executives from studios and production companies. Previous companies include Plan B, 3Arts, Paramount, Universal, Big Beach, JuVee, Tornante, and more.
Mentorship: Like our Minority Report and Black Writers in Focus programs, Fellows will be matched with experienced writers in the industry based on their personalized style and experience. Mentors provided both career and script guidance. Previous Diverso mentors included:

Charles Rogers, SEARCH PARTY
Charise Castro Smith, ENCANTO
Ifuoma Ofordire, LOVECRAFT COUNTRY

RULES:

At the program's request, Coverfly will automatically remove your title page for you if you include one when submitting to this program.

Please read all instructions and FAQs carefully before you begin your submission process. Applicants can only submit once per category. Any errors or multiple submissions could disqualify your application.

SUBMISSIONS INSTRUCTIONS:

Applicants must be Underrepresented writers currently enrolled in a university as an UNDERGRADUATE or GRADUATE student (Class of 2024 Graduates are eligible). They may be graduating at the end of the 2024 calendar year. For eligibility and submissions information, please scroll down and read the Frequently Asked Questions portion.

Please ensure your submission has a cover sheet with only the TITLE of the screenplay. The author's name must NOT appear anywhere in the script in order to preserve anonymity in the judging process. Please specify genre when submitting material.

SUBMISSIONS FORM:

After submission on Coverfly, applicants MUST fill out a submission form which includes a PERSONAL ESSAY and a RELEASE FORM. The submission form can be found here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Who can submit?

Underrepresented student writers currently enrolled in a university whose script has not been optioned. Screenwriters may not have earned more than $25,000 writing fictional work for film or television. The Minority Report is intended to promote and assist amateur writers exclusively.

How long should my script be?

We accept submissions within the page count below for each category:

Feature screenplays: 75 -120 pages
Half-hour teleplays: 20-40
Hour-long teleplays: 45-70

Scripts over 130 pages will be eliminated.

Refund/Resubmission Policy:

At this time, no refunds will be issued, please read all instructions before submitting. If you wish to submit a new/corrected draft, applicants will incur a second submission fee. Please reach out for assistance with this.

Who qualifies as an underrepresented writer?

Underrepresented writers as defined by the Writers Guild of America include:

American Indian, Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, Middle Eastern, Latino/a, LGBTQ, Women, Writers with disabilities.

writers.coverfly.com/competitions/view/diverso-fellowship

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Episodic Lab

Film Independent

DEADLINES / FEES:

Non-member: February 26, 2024 / $65
Member: March 11, 2024 / $45

For more information on the application deadline please visit our applications page.

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation will award one participant of the Film Independent Episodic Lab a $20,000 development grant.

At this time, science fiction projects are not eligible for the Sloan Episodic Lab Grant.

WHO CAN APPLY?

HOW TO APPLY:

Please read over the application form before preparing your materials. Applicants must submit the following for consideration:

Required

A cover letter introducing yourself and your interest in the Episodic Lab
One complete, original pilot
A series logline and pilot synopsis
A series description describing the story engine and series arc of the show
Project status and history, including any industry exposure
A series proposal document that includes brief descriptions of the world of the series and its premise and genre, as well as breakdowns for the show’s primary characters and their first season arcs

SELECTION CRITERIA:

THE FINE PRINT:

Beyond the application fee, there is no cost or tuition to participate in any of Film Independent’s Artist Development programs.

Applicants will be notified three to four weeks prior to the start of the program.

Until further notice, all Film Independent Labs will be held online.

filmindependent.org/programs/artist-development/episodic-lab/

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American Black Film Festival

DEADLINE: February 28, 2024

INFO: The 28th annual ABFF will be held in Miami Beach, June 12-16, 2024, and on ABFF PLAY from June 17-24. All Official Selections will play during both the live and virtual segments of the festival.

AWARDS + PRIZES:

Jury Award -- Best Narrative Feature
Jury Award -- Best Director, Narrative Feature
Jury Award -- Best Actor, Narrative Feature
Jury Award -- Best Documentary Feature
Jury Award -- Best Series (Television or Web)
HBO® Short Film Award [Entries without the completed SUBMISSION and RELEASE FORMS attached will not be considered.]

abff.com/miami/submissions/

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New Voices Filmmaker Grant

NewFest / Netflix

DEADLINE: February 22, 2024

INFO: NewFest’s New Voices Filmmaker Grant, in partnership with Netflix, supports emerging LGBTQ+ directors by providing funding to make new work, assisting in getting their work more widely shared, and propelling their careers forward through mentorship, networking and professional development opportunities.

The Grant seeks to support underrepresented voices in the film industry, and provides a $25,000 unrestricted grant to 4 emerging directors.

In addition to the $25,000 grant and industry mentorship, fellows will also participate in events and have their work showcased at NewFest’s New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival, one of the largest queer film festivals in the world. Fellows will also have the opportunity to travel as guests of NewFest to other North American film festivals.

Submissions are accepted from emerging LGBTQ+ directors who make documentary/nonfiction, narrative, and/or animated film/episodic projects for and about the LGBTQ+ community.

newfest.org/new-voices-grant

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Research & Development Grant

Chicken & Egg Pictures

DEADLINE: March 4, 2024 at 3:00pm EST

A total of $450,000 USD will be awarded in the following grant amounts:

$10,000 USD grants for Research
$20,000 USD grants for Development

The 2024 Chicken & Egg Pictures Research & Development Grant is generously supported by the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES:

Trust: This grant initiative is driven by our trust in filmmakers with an established track record. We look forward to working with them on new projects at a stage that is especially hard to fundraise for. We trust that applicants will make the best determination about which stage to apply to based on the information presented below.
Simplicity: We aim to keep The Chicken & Egg Pictures Research & Development Grant application as simple as possible so that filmmakers are not burdened by the process. Some important things to note about the application:
- The applications for the Research Grant vs. the Development Grant are not the same. Most of the questions are shared across both applications, but some questions are specific to each application.
- Most questions are based on the Nonfiction Core Application 2.0.
- The application also includes some supplemental questions to help us gather the necessary information for organizational purposes.
Deep listening: This grant initiative was born through deeply listening to a wide range of stakeholders including filmmakers and field representatives who were interviewed during our 2023-2025 Strategic Planning process. Filmmakers shared that they need to be fully trusted with funding early on. We heard the need to be financially supported to have the time and space to think, research, and develop new ideas.

PROJECT STAGE: RESEARCH VS. DEVELOPMENT:

RESEARCH

The research stage is a period of sowing and ideation.

Core activities associated with the research stage:

Identifying secondary sources such as literature, art, and cultural materials
Familiarizing with other (film) projects
Identifying primary sources and collaborators
Locating visual assets and archives
Identifying and tracking potential or multiple storylines
Finding a narrative framework that can support the film
Building foundational relationships with the community and collaborators at the center of the story

DEVELOPMENT

The development stage is a nuanced period of exploration and discovery.

Core activities associated with the development stage:

Gaining and securing access to core participants and collaborators, and starting shooting
Developing the story
Plotting the film’s multiple and intersecting timelines
Fine-tuning the development budget and creating a fundraising strategy
Creating fundraising materials such as a pitch deck, trailer, teaser, etc.
Testing pitch materials for resonance at pitch venues with potential funders
Engaging possible partners

ELIGIBILITY:

Please review the following eligibility criteria for The 2024 Chicken & Egg Pictures Research & Development Grant.

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY:

To be eligible for this grant, filmmakers must meet the following criteria:

Must identify as a woman (cis or trans) or gender-expansive director.
- Our working definition of gender-expansive is that it is an umbrella term that includes any person whose gender identity or gender expression does not comply with the socially defined gender norms and roles of their culture. This includes, but is not limited to, non-binary, trans, third gender/two-spirit, and agender individuals).
- If you are unsure whether you are gender-expansive, please refer to our please refer to the gender expansion page on our website for more information.

Must have directed at least one (1) completed feature-length documentary film.
- The film must have a duration of 48 minutes or longer.
- Films must be completed to be considered for this requirement. If you are currently directing your first feature-length film, you would not be eligible to apply until that film is completed and has premiered or is completed and actively seeking an upcoming premiere (e.g. within next 3-4 months).
- The film must be independently produced. However, commissioned documentaries and television documentaries, including those produced for news/journalism outlets, are eligible to be considered as prior work if the director had directorial control.
- Feature-length narrative work is not eligible to be considered as prior work for this application.

Can be based anywhere in the world, except for the countries which are under comprehensive US sanctions. These countries include Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the following regions of Ukraine: Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk. Further information on why filmmakers based in these countries/regions are ineligible to apply can be found here.
- If you are originally from these countries/regions but are based outside of them, you are still eligible to apply.
- Please note: If you are making a film that takes place in one of these countries/regions, you may apply for the grant, but you will not be able to spend the grant within those countries/regions.

PROJECT ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants for this grant must submit a project for consideration that meets the following criteria:

Must be a documentary or nonfiction film (including hybrid docs). VR, interactive, branded content, or fiction films are not eligible.
Must be feature-length (48 minutes or more). Short / medium-length films or series are not eligible
Must be in the Research or Development stage. Please refer to the section Project Stage: Research vs. Development for more information on what we consider each stage to be.
Must be independently produced. Works-for-hire are not eligible, and student films produced in an undergraduate or graduate program are also not eligible.

You do not need a fiscal sponsor to apply for the Research & Development Grant. However, if you are awarded, you must have a US fiscal sponsor, or be a 501(c)(3), to receive the funds.

TIMELINE:

March 4, 2024, at 3:00 PM EST: Research & Development Grant application deadline.
March-May 2024: Chicken & Egg Pictures processes and reviews applications in a two-round process.
Mid-June 2024: All applicants are notified of final decisions.
July-August 2024: Grants disbursed.
January 2025: 6-month check-in with grantees regarding the status of their projects.

chickeneggpics.org/programs/#research-development-grant

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Black & Unlimited Fatherhood Project

American Black Film Festival

DEADLINE: March 10, 2024

Three directors will be selected as winners and will receive the following:

a $10,000 cash award
an opportunity to attend and screen their films at the 2024 ABFF (Miami, June 12-16)
an industry mentorship opportunity with an established filmmaker

In addition, each film will also be featured on ABFF PLAY the festival’s online global platform and Walmart’s Black and Unlimited YouTube page.

Submit your up to 30 minute film about Black fatherhood now.

Each entry must include a signed release form downloadable HERE. At the time of submission via FilmFreeway, upload your signed copy to the PRESS area.

Full submission and eligibility details on FilmFreeway. Entrants will be notified of the festival’s decision by May 1.

abff.com/miami/black-and-unlimited-fatherhood-project/

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Serious Mental Illness Short Film Competition

Voices With Impact

DEADLINE: March 17 2023

INFO: Voices With Impact is proud to present the Serious Mental Illness Short Film Competition.

To watch films from our library visit www.voiceswithimpact.com/archive. This should give you a good idea of the films that we accept.

This competition is supported by The Sidney R. Baer Jr. Foundation.

AWARDS + PRIZES:

We will award prizes to 3 winning entries.
Each winner will receive a cash prize of $2000 USD and have their film inducted into our film library for Distribution in our educational programming across the US & Canada.
Winning films will be announced at the Voices With Impact festival, June 2024.

RULES + TERMS:

Length and Content:

We only accept submissions as Vimeo video URLs. YouTube, Google Drive, Dropbox, and any other URL links are not accepted and will be disqualified.
Submissions must either be interpretive of serious mental illness, or address it directly to be eligible for this competition.
Submissions must be 5 minutes or less. Films longer than five (5) minutes will be disqualified.
Submissions may not advertise any product, service, brand, or other commercial interest.
Submissions that are music videos may only portray original music that you own rights to.

LANGUAGE + LOCATION:

There are no geographic limitations on entries — we accept short films made anywhere in the world!
If a submission is not in English, a translation or subtitles in English must be accessible (Closed Caption CC options turned on)

PROCESS:

If your video is listed as private, you must provide a viewing password in your submission form so our jurors are able to view it.
Participants may submit only one version of a given project. However, any participant may submit more than one project. A separate Entry must be completed for each submission.
Past winners are required to wait at least one year before re-submitting to the competition.
Film jurors from our Advisory Board who are also filmmakers may submit work, but only during competitions in which they are not serving as a juror.

CONTENTS RIGHTS:

Filmmaker agrees that all submitted films may be used by Art With Impact for educational and outreach activities and the winning filmmaker will sign a license agreement to Art With Impact that will allow both AWI and and affiliated organizations in any relevant programming in perpetuity.
Filmmakers are responsible for securing any and all necessary licenses for any third party content, including footage, music, fonts, artwork, and any other asset used in film production.

JURYING PROCEDURES:

Films will be judged by the Film Program team and select members of the Advisory Board, which comprises of filmmakers, mental health professionals, and students.
To select the winner, jurors respond to the 10 questions found in the contest FAQ.
Art With Impact reserves the right to not award a prize ($2,000 cash) if submissions do not meet the jury’s standards for both content and production value.

TOPIC FOCUS:

This competition is inspired by the life and legacy of Sidney Baer Jr. and supported by the Baer Foundation.
The three winning films will tell authentic stories of people living with serious mental illnesses with the goal of reducing stigma and opening opportunities for dialogue and learning.

filmfreeway.com/mentalhealthfilmcompetition

TV / FILM — JANUARY 2024

December 31, 2023

2024 COURAGE to WRITE GRANTS

The de Groot Foundation

APPLICATION PERIOD: January 7 - February 5, 2024

APPLICATION FEE: $22.00

INFO: The de Groot Foundation will award thirty COURAGE to WRITE unrestricted grants to writers in 2024.

WHO SHOULD APPLY: Writers over 18 years of age who are actively engaged in a writing project and for whom a monetary boost could help them further or complete a project.

ELIGIBILITY:

Applications:

are open to individual writers over 18 years of age regardless of race, ethnicity, gender orientation, education, economic situation, geographic origin or location.
must be submitted in English.
are not open to family, members of the board or employees of the The de Groot Foundation, Lando family members, reviewers, or the selection committee.
Applicants must be individuals. Companies or organizations are not eligible.
If you’ve already received a writing grant from The de Groot Foundation, please wait a year before applying again.

HOW TO APPLY:

Application

There are three parts to your application: 1) a biosketch, 2) the letter of application, 3) your writing sample

Your biosketch

a. A brief statement about you, what matters in your work, what you’ve written, what you want to write, and something about you as a person

b. Limited to no more than 100 words

c. Your biosketch will be inserted into a form on the application so have this ready to cut and paste.

2. The letter of application (2-4 pages) which must include:

a. An introduction to the writing project for which you are seeking support (1-3 paragraphs)

b. How this project is important (1-2 paragraphs)

c. How a grant at this time would be helpful to you and how you would use the funds (2-3 paragraphs)

d. Anything else you would like us to know about you as a writer (1 paragraph)

e. Please address the letter to: Dear COURAGE to WRITE Reviewers

f. Please double space your letter of application and use Times New Roman 12-point font.

The paragraph suggestions above are recommendations. Should you wish to add a paragraph in a section and have one fewer in another that is fine as long as the needed information is well conveyed.

3. Writing sample

a. Please submit an unpublished writing sample, which relates to the project for which you are requesting funds. Do not submit a previously published writing sample.

b. Your unpublished writing sample should be five pages.

c. The writing sample, like the letter of application, should be double spaced and in Times New Roman 12-point font.

d. Exceptions:

i. Poetry: Use your original poetry formatting. You do not need to double space the poems. There can be more than one poem on a page.

ii. Screenplay or a play: You may submit up to 12 pages of a sample using the standard formatting for plays or screenplays.

iii. Graphic novel: You may include up to 10 pages of prose and graphics for the writing sample. Please submit by PDF.

Format:

Use Times New Roman 12-point font and double space your application document.
Numbering pages is optional.

Application Timeline:

Grant recipients will receive an automatic notification from Submittable once your application is received.
Finalists will be notified by the end of April 2024.
Grant awardees will be notified by the end of May 2024.

Review and Selection:

You’ll be sent a message when your application has been received.

Stage 1 Review: All eligible applications are read by teams of reviewers. Depending on the discretion of the reviewers, between 40 to 60 finalist applications are chosen.
Stage 2 Review: Finalist applications are evaluated by the final Selection Committee. This committee chooses the ten COURAGE to WRITE grantees. From the remaining applications, this committee will then pick the 20 Writer of Note grantees.

degrootfoundation.org/courage-to-write-grants/

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2024 LANDO Grant

The de Groot Foundation

APPLICATION PERIOD: January 7 - February 5, 2024

APPLICATION FEE: $22.00

GUIDELINES: Applicants for LANDO grants may be writing in any genre. We welcome projects of fiction, nonfiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, YA, children’s books, plays, and screenplays.

WHO SHOULD APPLY: Writers over 18 years of age who are actively engaged in a writing project and for whom a monetary boost could help them further or complete a project.

ELIGIBILITY:

Applications:

are open to individual writers over 18 years of age regardless of race, ethnicity, gender orientation, education, economic situation, geographic origin or location.
must be submitted in English.
are not open to family, members of the board or employees of the The de Groot Foundation, Lando family members, reviewers, or the selection committees.
Applicants must be individuals. Companies or organizations are not eligible.
If you’ve already received a writing grant from The de Groot Foundation, please wait a year before applying again.

HOW TO APPLY:

Application

There are three parts to your application: 1) a biosketch, 2) the letter of application, 3) your writing sample

1. Your biosketch

A brief statement about you, what matters in your work, what you’ve written, what you want to write, and something about you as a person
Limited to no more than 100 words
Your biosketch will be inserted into a form on the application so have this ready to cut and paste.

2. The letter of application (2-4 pages) which must include:

An introduction to the writing project for which you are seeking support (1-3 paragraphs)
How this project is important (1-2 paragraphs)
How a grant at this time would be helpful to you and how you would use the funds (2-3 paragraphs)
Anything else you would like us to know about you as a writer (1 paragraph)
Please address the letter to: Dear LANDO Reviewers
Please double space your letter of application and use Times New Roman 12-point font.

The paragraph suggestions above are recommendations. Should you wish to add a paragraph in a section and have one fewer in another that is fine as long as the needed information is well conveyed.

3. Writing sample

Please submit a writing sample which relates to the project for which you are requesting funds. Do not submit a previously published writing sample.
Your unpublished writing sample should be five pages.
The writing sample, like the letter of application, should be double spaced and in Times New Roman 12-point font.
Exceptions:

i. Poetry: Use your original poetry formatting. You do not need to double space the poems. There can be more than one poem on a page.

ii. Screenplay or a play: Please submit a one to two page synopsis of the screenplay or play and up to 12 pages of a sample script using the standard formatting for plays or screenplays.

iii. Graphic novel: You may include up to 10 pages of prose and graphics for the writing sample. Please submit by PDF.

FORMAT:

Use Times New Roman 12-point font and double space your application document.
Numbering pages is optional.

Grant recipients will receive an automatic notification from Submittable once your application is received.

Finalists will be notified by early April 2024.

Grant awardees will be notified by early May 2024.

degrootfoundation.org/2024-lando-grant-guidelines/

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WIF WRITER FELLOWSHIP

Women in Film

DEADLINE: January 8, 2024

INFO: Created in honor of our 50th year, the WIF Fellowships reflect our commitment to advancing the careers of women, nonbinary, and trans people across all areas of the industry.

This year-long program assigns each Fellow an intimate cohort of those on the same career path. Each cohort is teamed up with Mentors who will help guide them through group mentoring sessions, and with Guest Speakers who will present workshops and panels aimed to demystify the more nuanced areas of the industry. Connections are made to cohorts of other disciplines through intentional networking opportunities throughout the year.

With an eye on career advancement, each Fellow will also receive individualized career strategy sessions throughout their year in the program to identify immediate steps that can be taken to help the Fellow achieve their goals or brainstorm the best professional paths forward.

All those accepted to the Episodic Lab will become WIF Fellows with additional Writer Fellows accepted through both the Episodic Lab and Fellowship applicant pools (applicants only need to apply through one of the applications — please see the FAQs below for more information). Though our Financing Intensive is currently on hiatus, we will include many aspects of that program within our Producer Fellowship.

It is our belief that a true culture shift includes support and community for every entertainment industry role. To that end, if you don’t see your role represented in the list of application options, we still encourage you to apply.

FELLOWSHIP SPECIFICS: Each Fellow will meet within their cohort for a year of master classes, networking, and community building. Fellows will also receive 1:1 career strategy sessions and mentoring from a professional with extensive experience in their field, either in groups or individually (depending on Mentor availability). Fellows are expected to have at least six sessions with their mentor(s) within a 12-month period. Dates and locations will be determined solely by mentors, and may continue to be virtual for the time being.

REQUIREMENTS:

You must be local to Los Angeles in order to participate.
You must have a clear career focus that you can articulate in your application.
We anticipate the WIF Fellowship as having both virtual and in-person elements, some of which may be mandatory. In order to attend in-person events, fellows must be able to provide proof of current vaccination, subject to CDC guidelines relating to boosters, and willing to test for COVID-19 prior to events.

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Episodic Lab – all selected participants will also be Writer Fellows
Writer Fellowship – we will provide fellowship opportunities to a small group of applicants that are not accepted into the Episodic Lab and/or apply directly to the Fellowship. Please see the FAQs below for more information.

womeninfilm.org/updates/fellowship-specifics/

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2024 Sundance Native Lab

Indigenous Screen Office / Sundance Institute

DEADLINE: January 8, 2024

INFO: The Indigenous Screen Office and the Sundance Institute are excited to once again invite Indigenous storytellers to apply to be part of the 2024 Sundance Institute’s Native Lab.

The Native Lab provides direct support to emerging filmmakers and episodic creators from the U.S.-based Native American, Native Hawaiian, Alaskan Native, and Canada-based Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) communities.

WHO CAN APPLY

Filmmakers and episodic creators

DESCRIPTION

The lab focuses on the specific development of storytellers from Native and Indigenous backgrounds, encompassing feature film and episodic work.

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

This opportunity is available to one (1) Indigenous storyteller based in Canada.
This is a year-long fellowship starting with a two-week lab, during which Fellows will hone their storytelling and technical skills in a hands-on and supportive environment, including one-on-one feedback sessions with advisors and roundtables. After this there will be check-ins via Zoom once a month.
The two week lab will take place in early May (date TBC). The first week will be virtual and the second week will take place in person in Sante Fe, New Mexico. Travel, accommodation and food costs will be paid for.
The fellow will also receive a $10,000 USD grant as part of the lab.

SUBMISSION PROCESS + NOTIFICATION: An initial review for eligibility and missing documentation will be conducted by the ISO Program Manager. Final decisions will be made by the Indigenous Program staff at the Sundance Institute.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: You are required to submit a narrative feature or episodic pilot script.

PROGRAM CLOSURE: If applicants wish to access their application, they must contact funding@iso-bea.ca within 10 business days of the program’s closure. The ISO will provide a downloaded copy if requested. Otherwise, all in-progress applications will be deleted 10 business days after the program has been officially closed.

ACCESSIBILITY FUNDING:

The ISO provides up to $500.00 CAD in additional funding to cover accessibility costs incurred during the stages of applying for funding, completing a project, and writing your final report. Requests for support are encouraged at least two weeks prior to the application due date.

If you have barriers to access including but not limited to language, internet or physical barriers, please contact the ISO to discuss accommodations and support at funding@iso-bea.ca.

Support may include telephone or video application submission, language interpretation, or support worker assistance. Equipment purchases are not eligible for accessibility support.

GENERAL CRITERIA: All applicants to ISO programs must confirm they have read the General Funding Guidelines prior to submitting an application.

ELIGIBILITY REVIEW: An initial review for eligibility and missing documentation will be conducted by the ISO Program Manager. The ISO program manager will reach out if any of this information is needed and applicants will be given a short period (maximum 10 days) to submit anything outstanding.

Ineligible or incomplete applications can be withdrawn at any time in the process. Applicants will be notified by the ISO when the application is withdrawn.

MISREPRESENTATION:

If at any time, an Applicant, as required by the Criteria or as requested by the ISO, provides false information or omits or misrepresents material information in connection with an application, including with respect to Indigenous identity, such provision of false information, omission or misrepresentation will be considered an event of default and the ISO may exercise the following contractual rights:

termination of any contracts, including any remedies thereunder;
denial of eligibility for existing and future funding;
repayment of any funds already advanced; and
civil and potential criminal prosecution, in the case of fraud.

These measures may be imposed not only on the Applicant but also on related, associated and affiliated companies and individuals that are parties to the application. Any Applicant receiving approval for funding will be required to sign a legally enforceable agreement, which includes provisions concerning misrepresentations, defaults, and related matters.

FINAL REPORTING:

A final report will be required within three months following the completion of the fellowship. Applicants with overdue final reports will not be eligible for Indigenous Screen Office funding until the report is submitted and approved.

Final report will be provided.

RECOGNITION OF CONTRIBUTION:

Recipients must acknowledge ISO support with textual reference and/or logo in the credit sequence, or appropriate placement in the completed work (where applicable). ISO logos are available for download on the ISO website.

When sharing information about your participation in the proposed activity. Please also tag the ISO on any social media posts related to this funding:

Instagram – indigenousscreen
Twitter – screen_office
Facebook – ISO.BEA

Questions are encouraged at least two weeks prior to submission or the application closing date and may be directed at any time to funding@iso-bea.ca.

iso-bea.ca/industry-initiatives/programs/sundance-native-lab-2024/

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LALIFF 2024: CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF)

DEADLINE / FEE: January 9, 2024 / $45.00 (Early Submission)

INFO: We invite all Latino artists to participate in LALIFF 2024 by submitting their work for consideration. The Festival will take place from May 29 to June 2.

Submissions are open in the following categories:

I - U.S. FEATURE FILMS

Any fiction film, documentary or animation in any genre made by Latino filmmakers in the United States with a total running time of more than 50 minutes are eligible for feature submission. World premiere must have occurred no earlier than January 1, 2023, and we will NOT be accepting feature films that have had commercial, theatrical, television or internet distribution in the United States.

Submission Deadlines & Fees:

Early Submission Deadline: January 9, 2024 | Fee: $45.00
Regular Submission Deadline: February 6, 2024 | Fee: $55.00
Late Submission Deadline: February 29, 2024 | Fee: $65.00

II - U.S. & INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILMS

Any fiction film, documentary or animation in any genre made by Latino filmmakers (in the U.S, Latin America and the diaspora) with a total running time of less than 50 minutes. World premiere must have occurred no earlier than January 1, 2023, and we will NOT be accepting short films that have had commercial, theatrical, television or internet distribution in the United States.

Submission Deadlines & Fees:

Early Submission Deadline: January 9, 2024 | Fee: $35.00
Regular Submission Deadline: February 6, 2024 | Fee: $45.00
Late Submission Deadline: February 29, 2024 | Fee: $55.00

III - U.S. & INTERNATIONAL EPISODICS

Scripted or non-scripted series in any genre made by Latino writers/filmmakers. Applicants may submit single or multiple episodes of the same project, provided that the total running time does not exceed 90 minutes, including credits.

Multiple episodes should be submitted as one continuous video file. Individual episodes may not exceed 60 minutes in length. Open submissions in this category are not eligible for the Festival if the submitted content has been made available to the general public via any platform (broadcast television, Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) in the United States. If the submitted content is a continuation of an existing series, only new episodes are eligible for open submission to the Festival.

Submission Deadlines & Fees:

Early Submission Deadline: January 9, 2024 | Fee: $35.00
Regular Submission Deadline: February 6, 2024 | Fee: $45.00
Late Submission Deadline: February 29, 2024 | Fee: $55.00

IV - U.S. MUSIC VIDEOS

Open to independent artists who are located in the U.S., and who are submitting music videos that have not been released to the public, on any platform, to get launched at our 2024 edition as part of LALIFF Music.

Submission Deadlines & Fees:

Early Submission Deadline: January 9, 2024 | Fee: $35.00
Regular Submission Deadline: February 6, 2024 | Fee: $45.00
Late Submission Deadline: February 29, 2024 | Fee: $55.00

laliff.org/festival/2024/submissions/

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2024 Documentary Story Lab

Film Independent

DEADLINES:

Regular Deadline: January 15, 2024
Extended Member Deadline: January 29, 2024

INFO: The 2024 Documentary Story Lab is a full-time, one week program that will take place in April of 2024. The program is designed to provide individualized story and career development for documentary directors with a project in post-production.

Applicants must submit a work sample which should include a minimum of a polished trailer and scene selects, all the way up to a rough cut.

Filmmakers that have yet to complete the majority of principal photography and those that do not yet have any footage assembled are not eligible to apply.

Please complete and submit the following electronic application form. You will be able to save your application and add documents or information until the application deadline. Once you click "submit," the application will be considered final and no additional information will be accepted. If you do not click "submit," the application will not be considered. At the end of the submission form, you will be asked for your payment information.

Please be advised: the application may time out if you keep it open for a long time. It is recommended that you keep a backup of your answers in a separate document. Save early and often. You can verify that your application has saved by logging out and logging back in.

All applicants will be notified 3-4 weeks before the program start date. If you don't receive a notification, please check your spam folder.

filmindependent1.submittable.com/submit/275591/film-independent-documentary-story-lab-2024

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ARTIST RESIDENCY PROGRAM

The Helene Wurlitzer Foundation

DEADLINE: January 18, 2024

APPLICATION FEE: $30

INFO: The Foundation offers three months of rent-free and utility-paid housing to people who specialize in the creative arts. Our eleven artist casitas, or guest houses, are fully furnished and provide residents with a peaceful setting in which to pursue their creative endeavors.

The Foundation accepts applications from painters, poets, sculptors, writers, playwrights, screenwriters, composers, photographers, and filmmakers of national and international origin.

Applications are reviewed by a selection committee consisting of professionals who specialize in the artistic discipline of the applicant. Numerous jurors serve on committees for each: visual arts, music composers, writers, poets, playwrights, and filmmakers. Jurors, who know nothing about the artist's demographics, score in five categories based purely on the merit of the applicant's creative work samples.

Artists in residence have no imposed expectations, quotas, or requirements during their stay on the HWF campus. The HWF’s residency program provides artists with the time and space to create, which in turn enriches the artistic community and culture locally and abroad.

RESIDENCY SESSIONS:

#1: Jan - Apr, 2025
#2: Jun - Aug, 2025
#3: Sep - Dec, 2025

wurlitzerfoundation.org/apply

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2024 Brendan Gill Prize

The Municipal Art Society of New York

DEADLINE: January 19, 2024

INFO: The Brendan Gill Prize is given each year to the creator of a specific work; a book, essay, musical composition, play, painting, sculpture, film, or choreographic piece, that best captures the spirit and energy of New York City.

All eligible nominations must have been completed and produced between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, and must be based-in and pertaining to New York City. The prize is not awarded for a body of work or lifetime achievement.

The prize was established in 1987 in honor of Brendan Gill by friend and fellow MAS board member Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis along with board members Helen Tucker and Margot Wellington.

mas.org/news/nominate-brendan-gill-prize-2024/

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2024 Emerging Voices Directors Lab

New Orleans Film Society

DEADLINE: January 19, 2024 at 11:59pm CST

INFO: Applications for the 2024 Emerging Voices Directors Lab are now open.

Six Louisiana-based early-career directors are invited annually to hone their artistic voice and deepen their community ties through industry mentorship and peer support in a 4-day intensive lab. At the completion of the lab, participating filmmakers will receive a $2,000 unrestricted grant to support their project as well as the opportunity to convene at the New Orleans Film Festival and one additional regional festival.

The Emerging Voices Directors Lab, an initiative of the New Orleans Film Society, was created in 2014 to promote the unique perspectives and cultures of Louisiana filmmakers of color to the rest of the country, and the world.

CRITERIA:

Applications will be reviewed by an independent panel and will be scored according to the following criteria:

ORIGINALITY & VISION - Does the project have a unique vision and perspective? Does the visual component of the application support the description and artistic approach of the project? Is it clear why this project needs to be made now?
CONNECTION TO THE STORY - What is the film team’s relationship to the story and communities represented in the film? How are they working with the community to ensure the story is crafted with care and respect?
CONNECTION TO THE REGION - What is the filmmaker’s relationship to the region? How long have they lived in the region? Do they live here full-time? How connected are they to their Southern community? Is their body of work focused on Southern stories? How much of the project will be filmed in the South?
ABILITY TO EXECUTE THE PROJECT - Does the applicant’s past body of work demonstrate an ability to execute the current project? Does the project have committed collaborators? Is there a clear plan for current and future phases of the project?
WILLINGNESS TO LEARN AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE COHORT - Do they demonstrate a need and willingness to learn? Will they contribute to and support other members of the cohort? How engaged will they be in the lab?
ABILITY TO LEVERAGE THE OPPORTUNITY - Is the project developed enough to take advantage of the lab and award? Is the applicant in an ideal place in their career to receive mentorship from an industry advisor? Is there a clear explanation of how the lab will move the project forward?

neworleansfilmsociety.org/emerging-voices/

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AT&T Untold Stories

AT&T / Tribeca Festival

DEADLINE: February 6, 2024

tribecafilm.com/attuntoldstories

TV / FILM — DECEMBER 2023

November 30, 2023

TV RETREAT & FELLOWSHIP

CineStory Foundation

DEADLINE: December 3, 2023

SUBMISSION FEE: $90

INFO: The CineStory Foundation believes in helping writers find their voice. We’re entering a world in which the ways to tell stories are limitless. Those stories always begin with a blank page. Our goal with the Television Retreat is to educate writers about the unique world of TV storytelling, from the collaborative nature of writing for networks or streaming channels to the independent realm of creating and shooting series for the web.

Structured like the CineStory Feature Retreat, the CineStory Television Retreat takes place over three days in the beautiful mountains of Idyllwild, California. Attendees receive three one-on-one, one and a half hour sessions with CineStory mentors. During these sessions, mentors will give attendees feedback on improving the craft of the script(s) they submitted in advance and will also discuss with writers various aspects of the business of TV writing to help writers better understand TV writers’ various roles in the entertainment industry.

TV writers also will experience what it’s like to sit in a professional writers room run by an experienced mentor. In addition, mentors and writers will gather for meals, drinks, screenings, and other special events.

RETREAT DATES:

May 3 – 7, 2024

RETREAT FEE:

The retreat fee for the 2023 Feature Retreat is $2,200 for individual participants and $3,000 for teams (who participate in all retreat events as a team).

The retreat fee covers meals (a light breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and all retreat events, including informal sessions, one-on-one meetings, social gatherings (cocktail parties, etc.).

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Quarterfinalists – Late January
Semifinalists – Late February
Finalists – Mid March
Division Winners – Early April
Fellowship Winner – Mid April

TV DIVISIONS:

Original Drama – 1 hour series
Original Comedy – 30 minute series
Original Sci Fi/Fantasy – 1 hour series
Original Children/Family – 30 min series

Pilots only. For division details, please visit our TV Submissions page.

cinestory.org/retreat-fellowship-contests/tv-retreat-fellowship-contest/

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STARZ #TakeTheLead Writers' Intensive

STARZ / NALIP / NFMLA

DEADLINE: December 4th, 2023 at 7:59 pm PT

INFO: NALIP and NFMLA have returned with STARZ for another year of STARZ #TakeTheLead Writers' Intensive. The STARZ #TakeTheLead Writers' Intensive provides a unique platform for emerging talents to cultivate their skills and refine their spec scripts with the guidance of esteemed mentors, executives, and established writers.

As part of the 2023 edition of STARZ #TakeTheLead Writers' Intensive, a total of 10 talented writers will be carefully chosen to embark on the first phase of the program. During this stage, they will have the invaluable opportunity to be mentored by seasoned industry professionals while simultaneously crafting an episode treatment and pitch.

The program opens for submissions on Monday, November 13th, 2023 at 11am PT and the deadline to submit is Monday,

TIMELINE:

Call for entries closes December 4th, 2023 at 7:59 pm PT
Participants announcement January 27th, 2024

PROGRAM DATES:

Selected participants must be available for the duration of the following dates:

Phase 1: February 5th, 2024 to February 16th, 2024
Phase 2: March 4th, 2024 to March 29th

BENEFITS:

$5,000USD grant awarded to the four participants who move on to phase 2 of the program
Opportunity to meet industry professionals and creatives
Feedback from top executives on your pitch (phase 1 participants)
Feedback from top executives on your spec episode script (phase 2 participants only)

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

Phase One

(2 weeks for participants at approximately 16 hours each week, primarily taking place Monday - Friday)

One week intensive of meetings and sessions with industry creatives and professionals
Participants work with feedback and support to develop an episode treatment and pitch
Culminates in a STARZ Jury hearing pitches, reading treatments and making final cohort selection

Phase Two

(4 weeks for participants at approximately 8 hours each week, primarily taking place Monday - Friday)

Meetings with STARZ executives to hone spec script
Feedback from STARZ mentors to refine spec script
Final review and final set of notes for spec script
Pitch of spec script

writers.coverfly.com/competitions/view/starz-writers-intensive#about

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OPEN CALL FOR SCRIPT SUBMISSIONS

BBC Writersroom

DEADLINE: December 5, 2023 (by noon)

INFO: BBC Writersroom's Drama Room is a 1-year writer development scheme for writers.

We work with around 12 writers on the Drama Room scheme every year, to develop their craft skills and knowledge of the industry. During the first 6 months of the programme, writers receive workshop sessions exploring character, structure, different mediums of storytelling, practical writing exercises as well as industry masterclasses with writers, producers and agents. There are also networking and ad hoc pitching opportunities (often in continuing drama, audio drama and children’s). The writers are paired up with Script Editors for 9 months to develop an original spec' script, which they focus on for the second half of the programme.

The aim of the scheme is to encourage and develop the best in new drama writing and to give these writers the opportunity to build strong connections with producers and help them gain BBC broadcast commissions.

bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities/send-a-script

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ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE FELLOWSHIP

Newberry Library

DEADLINE: December 15, 2023

INFO: Newberry Library provides fellowships for writers, artists, and other humanists.

FELLOWSHIPS:

The Arthur and Lila Weinberg Artist-in-Residence Fellowship for Independent Researchers

This fellowship is for writers, journalists, filmmakers, visual and performing artists, and other humanists who wish to use the Newberry’s collection to further their creative work. Preference is given to individuals working on projects that focus on social justice or reform.
Stipend: $3,000/month
Length: 1 month
Who can apply: Applicants must be working outside of traditional academic settings.

newberry.org/research/artists-in-residence

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WIF Writer Fellowship

Women in Film

DEADLINE: January 8, 2024

INFO: Created in honor of our 50th year, the WIF Fellowships reflect our commitment to advancing the careers of women, nonbinary, and trans people across all areas of the industry.

REQUIREMENTS:

You must be local to Los Angeles in order to participate.
You must have a clear career focus that you can articulate in your application.
We anticipate the WIF Fellowship as having both virtual and in-person elements, some of which may be mandatory. In order to attend in-person events, fellows must be able to provide proof of current vaccination, subject to CDC guidelines relating to boosters, and willing to test for COVID-19 prior to events.

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Episodic Lab – all selected participants will also be Writer Fellows
Writer Fellowship – we will provide fellowship opportunities to a small group of applicants that are not accepted into the Episodic Lab and/or apply directly to the Fellowship. Please see the FAQs below for more information.

womeninfilm.org/updates/fellowship-specifics/

TV / FILM — NOVEMBER 2023

October 31, 2023

TV RETREAT & FELLOWSHIP

CineStory Foundation

DEADLINES & SUBMISSION FEES:

Extended Late Deadline – November 5, 2023 ($85)
Final Deadline: December 3, 2023 ($90)

RETREAT DATES:

May 3 – 7, 2024

RETREAT FEE:

The retreat fee for the 2023 Feature Retreat is $2,200 for individual participants and $3,000 for teams (who participate in all retreat events as a team).

The retreat fee covers meals (a light breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and all retreat events, including informal sessions, one-on-one meetings, social gatherings (cocktail parties, etc.).

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Quarterfinalists – Late January
Semifinalists – Late February
Finalists – Mid March
Division Winners – Early April
Fellowship Winner – Mid April

TV DIVISIONS:

Original Drama – 1 hour series
Original Comedy – 30 minute series
Original Sci Fi/Fantasy – 1 hour series
Original Children/Family – 30 min series

Pilots only. For division details, please visit our TV Submissions page.

cinestory.org/retreat-fellowship-contests/tv-retreat-fellowship-contest/

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Open Call for script submissions

BBC Writersroom

SUBMISSION PERIOD: November 7 - December 5, 2023 (by noon)

INFO: BBC Writersroom's Drama Room is a 1-year writer development scheme for writers.

bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities/send-a-script

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2024 CAPE New Writers Fellowship

Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE)

DEADLINE: November 13, 2023 at 11:59pm PT

APPLICATION FEE: $65 (non-refundable)

INFO: The CAPE New Writers Fellowship (CNWF) discovers and nurtures emerging Asian and Pacific Islanders writers launching their careers in television. Founded and co-chaired by Emmy Award-winning Writer, Creator and Showrunner Leo Chu and veteran film and TV executive Steve Tao, the CAPE New Writers Fellowship is one of few writing programs in Hollywood created by a creative and an executive. This immersive Fellowship arms each writer with the practical and business knowledge they need to succeed as a professional writer in the entertainment industry.

Over the course of several weeks, CAPE brings in top television and film writers, producers, agents, managers, and executives for a series of intimate panels, workshops, and discussions. The Fellowship also features a Writing Lab where each Fellow is matched with a high-level industry mentor to help them revise their original script into professional level writing samples to get them noticed and land that all-important first staff job.

The Fellowship typically runs each year in the spring. Sessions take place on weekday evenings PT for approximately 3 hours, twice a week.

The 2024 CAPE New Writers Fellowship will be a hybrid program with in-person and virtual sessions. Sessions will be held on March-April 2024 on Monday and Wednesday weekday evenings (Pacific Time). You must be able to attend all in-person sessions in Los Angeles. Transportation and lodging costs will not be covered. You must be able to attend every virtual session via Zoom.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

You must be at least 18 years old to apply.
You or your script should be consistent with CAPE’s mission to champion diversity by educating, empowering, and connecting Asian American and Pacific Islander artists and leaders in entertainment.
You must have the ability to accept paid work in the United States. CAPE does not sponsor or assist with visas.
The 2024 CAPE New Writers Fellowship will be a hybrid program with in-person and virtual sessions. Sessions will be held on March-April 2024 on Monday and Wednesday weekday evenings (Pacific Time).
You must be able to attend all in-person sessions in Los Angeles. Transportation and lodging costs will not be covered.
You must be able to attend every virtual session via Zoom.
We accept half-hour or hour long pilots only. All genres accepted. Animation accepted.
Your script must be in English. Additional languages are accepted with subtitles.
You must not have been employed as a staff writer (or higher level).
Your script must be in PDF format and in industry format.
Your script must not contain any identifying information (name, email, rep information) on any pages. You may include WGA or copyright registration numbers if you wish, but it is not necessary.
Your script must be original and you must own all rights to the script free and clear.
Your script must not be under an option and you must have sole authority over changes to the script.
We accept writing teams of up to 2 writers. You must be committed to pursuing a career as a writing team. Both members of any writing team must meet all requirements.
You must workshop and edit the script you submitted to the Fellowship, if accepted.
We do not accept revised or replacement scripts - no exceptions.
You may submit more than one entry, but they must be submitted separately with their own application and fee.
All entries are non-refundable.
Any applicant or writing team failing to meet the above requirements will be disqualified.
Both members of any writing team must meet all requirements, and any applicant or writing team failing to meet the above requirements will be disqualified. All entries are non-refundable.

capeusa.org/cnwf

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WIF / THE BLACK LIST EPISODIC LAB

WIF / The Black List

DEADLINE: November 13, 2023

INFO: The Black List and WIF will invite six to eight promising non-professional television writers who are of underrepresented genders to the Lab. The Lab will kick off the first week of March 2024, running twice weekly for four weeks, and will consist of script development, peer workshopping sessions, and master classes with established writers and industry executives. Lab participants will have their final pilots read by agencies and networks. Past advisors and master class teachers include Monica Beletsky (“Parenthood”), Carly Wray (“Watchmen”), Sono Patel (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”), Glen Mazzara (“The Dark Tower”), Erika L. Johnson (“The Good Lord Bird”), Kira Snyder (“The Handmaid’s Tale”), Lauren LeFranc (“Impulse”), Jane Becker (“Ted Lasso”) and many others.

All participants of the 2024 Episodic Lab will also be 2024 WIF Fellows. All WIF Fellowships provide year long support.

ELIGIBILITY:

IMPORTANT: Please note, applicants can apply through either WIF or The Black List, however, instructions are different for each platform. WIF members can apply for membership rates and non-members can apply for $40 per application. Through WIF, applicants can submit up to three scripts. Each script must be submitted through its own application, so fees and/or waivers are applicable per script. For Black List instructions or any other Black List questions, please click here or contact SUPPORT@BLCKLST.COM.

To be eligible to apply through WIF:

You are the sole and exclusive author of the television pilot submitted for consideration.
You have not received more than $25K in aggregate to date as compensation for television writing work.
You will be available for in-person evening sessions during the month of March 2024.
- Participants must be able to provide proof of current vaccination, subject to CDC guidelines relating to boosters prior to February 20, 2024, and be willing to test for COVID-19 infection prior to each session in March 2024.

TIMELINE:

October 2, 2023 – Applications open
October XX, 2023 — Program AMA (“Ask Me Anything”) Panel
November 13, 2023 – Applications close
Week of January 15, 2024 – Shortlist writers notified
Week of February 5, 2024 – Interviews
Week of February 12, 2024 – Final Participants and all other applicants notified
March 5, 2024 — Episodic Lab begins

womeninfilm.org/updates/episodic-lab-details/

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NICKELODEON WRITING PROGRAM

Nickelodeon Animation

DEADLINE: November 15, 2023

INFO: Founded in the year 2000, the Nickelodeon Writing Program is a full-time, paid, yearlong development Program for television comedy writers with unique voices and from underrepresented communities. Join us at the studio in Burbank for classes and workshops to sharpen your skills, executive mentorship and networking to build your professional relationships, and the opportunity to work in the iconic live-action and animation writers’ rooms at Nick. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dedicate yourself to the craft of writing and build your career from the ground up.

The Nick Writing Program is not a writing contest – It’s a launching pad for diverse and emerging creatives. If you bring the unique voice and innovative ideas for kids’ and family content, we’ll help you launch a career with all the tools you’ll need to succeed in the industry for years to come.

ELIGIBILITY / HOW TO APPLY:

You must be 18 years or older, and eligible to work in the United States to participate.
To apply, follow the link under the “Apply Online” section, fill out the application through our submission portal, and submit two scripts: One spec from our Accepted Shows List which gets updated every year (watch our social media channels for announcements), and one half-hour original comedy pilot.
If you have previously applied to the Program and were not selected, you are welcome and encouraged to apply again with a new spec script for each submission period.

APPLICATION DETAILS:

STEP 1 (Pick a Focus) - When you pick a focus, it helps us curate your experience in the Program to better help you reach your goals as a television writer. Picking a focus does not mean your time in the Program will be spent exclusively working on content for this audience, but simply helps us gauge your interests and set you on a course for success. Your spec and pilot submissions do not need to adhere to these audience age groups in any way.

Kids’ Content (Audience Age 6-11) - This age group is Nickelodeon’s bread and butter. Most of Nickelodeon’s most iconic live-action and animated shows are developed for this demographic including SpongeBob SquarePants, Danger Force, and The Loud House.
Preschool Content (Audience Age 2-6) - The Preschool age group (including “bridge” content for tots moving into early elementary school age) loves to laugh and play along with their content. They’re smart, engaged, and always ready for new shows to watch like Paw Patrol, Ryan’s Mystery Playdate, and Baby Shark’s Big Show.
Preteen/Young Adult (Audience Age 11-17) - Nickelodeon shares its home in the Paramount Kids & Family Group with our partners at Awesomeness who cater to a tween and teen audience. We’ll partner with ATV and the creators of Nick’s shows for a slightly older audience like Side Hustle, Drama Club, and iCarly to make this experience the right one for you.

STEP 2 (Script Preparation) - All applicants must submit a SPEC SCRIPT and HALF HOUR ORIGINAL COMEDY PILOT that adhere to the following guidelines:

Must be based on a television series from the Accepted Shows List (spec only).
Typed in standard Final Draft (or equivalent) script format.
In black type, 12pt courier style font.
Do not upload a cover page with your script.

The following information should be included in the header/footer of your spec script on the first or all pages:

Name of the show (center of the header).
Title of the episode (center of the footer).
Filename should include only the name of your show and episode (Do not include your name or your submission will not be considered).
Do not put your name anywhere on the script, file, or file name.

THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED:

Feature-length screenplays, reality-based comedies or dramas, treatments, outlines, plays, short stories, books, graphics, magazine/newspaper articles, poems, headshots, audio/videotapes, or other digital media. If it’s not on the Accepted Shows list or your comedy pilot, please do not submit it!

Please note: Submissions that do not adhere to these guidelines will not be considered.

STEP 3 (Accepted Shows 2023):

Abbott Elementary
Agent Elvis
American Auto
Awkwafina is Nora from Queens
Big Mouth
Bob Hearts Abishola
Bob’s Burgers
Call Me Kat
Ghosts
Girls5eva
Grand Crew
Harley Quinn
Home Economics
HouseBroken
How I Met Your Father
Human Resources
I Love That For You
Loot
Lopez vs. Lopez
Mythic Quest
Night Court (2023)
Our Flag Means Death

Party Down
Raven’s Home
Rick and Morty
Solar Opposites
Star Trek: Lower Decks
Tacoma FD
That ’90s Show
The Conners
The Great North
The Ms. Pat Show
The Neighborhood
The Other Two
The Wonder Years (2021)
This Fool
Unstable
We Are Lady Parts
Welcome to Flatch
What We Do in the Shadows
Young Rock
Young Sheldon

STEP 4 (Apply Online)

SUBMISSION MATERIALS TO INCLUDE:

Completed application questions – some of these are long, so start your application early.
One spec script in .pdf format (this applies to both individual writers and writing teams).
One original comedy pilot in .pdf format (this applies to both individual writers and writing teams).
One-page resume in .pdf format.
Completed and digitally signed Submission Release form and Schedule A for each script. These can be downloaded from the link above the document upload section.

COMPLETE YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION:

Beginning July 1st, you can start your application for the Nickelodeon Writing Program. Submissions must be uploaded before 11:59pm PT on August 1st.

All submission materials should be completed and uploaded to the Nickelodeon online submission platform Coverfly. All necessary forms can be downloaded via links embedded in the application.
Once in the platform, fill in the form with your “Project Info” about your spec from the Accepted Shows List.
Projects written by writing teams should only be submitted once. On the first page of the checkout form, writers will have the option to add one additional writer by clicking on the plus sign (+) next to the name fields.
Upload a .pdf of your spec script following the provided instructions. Leave off all identifiable information. At this stage, you will be asked to provide a few additional details about the script.
Choose the Program “Package” and “Add to Cart.”
Give us some “Additional Info” including your contact details, a signed Schedule A form, and a signed Release form (one for each member in the case of writing teams) for each script you submit (spec and pilot). Both forms can be downloaded from the link above the document upload section.
We’ll also need a resume in .pdf format. Please be sure to fill out all required fields and answer all questions or you will not be able to submit your application.
Finally, “Check Out” (at no cost) to complete your submission.
Don’t wait until the last minute! We advise that you give yourself at least two weeks prior to the August 1st deadline to complete your submission. No exceptions will be made for late submissions regardless of the circumstances.
If you are experiencing problems with the online application, please contact the technical support team at Coverfly by scrolling to the bottom of their site homepage and clicking “Contact.”

IMPORTANT DATES:

November 15, 2023 - Submission Period Closes
February 15, 2024 - Semi-Finalists Notified
March 1, 2024 - Chosen Writers Notified

nickanimation.com/programs/writing-program/

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Cassian Elwes Independent Screenwriting Fellowship AT SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

The Black List

DEADLINE: November 20, 2023

INFO: The Cassian Elwes Independent Screenwriting Fellowship is an annual program designed to encourage and identify new talent in the field of independent cinema by awarding one screenwriter each year with an all-expenses paid trip to the Sundance Film Festival with producer Cassian Elwes (MUDBOUND, Lee Daniels' THE BUTLER, DALLAS BUYERS CLUB).

Unrepresented feature writers with an independent sensibility who have made less than $5,000 in aggregate in their film or television writing careers will be able to opt into consideration via the Black List website until November 20th, 2023. At that time, the Black List will choose ten screenplays imbued with an independent spirit by unrepresented screenwriters, which will be sent on to Mr. Elwes for his consideration. Up to two fellowship recipients will be selected by Mr. Elwes by calendar year's end.

REQUIREMENTS:

Entrant must host a script on blcklst.com for at least one week during the submission period.
Entrant must be the sole and exclusive author of the screenplay submitted.
Entrant agrees to the terms of the submission agreement.
Entrant must be over the age of 18 and competent to contract.
Entrant must not have earned more than $5,000 in the aggregate in connection with any prior film or television writing work.
If selected, Entrant is available to be flown to Salt Lake City, UT from a major American airport in order to attend the Sundance Film Festival on or about January 18, 2024, pending COVID-19 travel restrictions. Please note, in the event Entrant is selected but is not able to attend the Sundance Film Festival on such date, Mr. Elwes will have the right, but not the obligation, to award the Fellowship to the runner up.

blcklst.com/programs/2023-cassian-elwes-independent-screenwriting-fellowship-at-the-sundance-film-festival-1697486937

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2024 NRDC Climate Storytelling Fellowship

The Black List

DEADLINE: November 27, 2023

INFO: The Black List is thrilled to announce that it has partnered with NRDC’s (Natural Resources Defense Council) Rewrite the Future program, The Redford Center, and The CAA Foundation to launch the third annual NRDC Climate Storytelling Fellowship.

AWARD: The Fellowship will grant $20,000 each to three writers to support revision of a feature screenplay or pilot that engages with climate change in a compelling way through events, actions, character, emotions, plot, and/or setting.

In addition, NRDC will connect each fellowship recipient with the following professionals for feedback and guidance on their scripts:

A credited professional screenwriter with an interest in climate storytelling
A climate story consultant from NRDC’s Rewrite the Future program to advise on effective approaches to climate storytelling that are entertaining and impactful
As applicable, one or more NRDC experts to advise on climate issues highlighted in the script.
After receiving these consultations, Fellows have six (6) months to complete a revision of their script. Revised scripts may be reviewed for development by prominent studios, agencies and/or production companies including Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Hyperobject Industries, NBCUniversal, Participant, United Talent Agency (UTA) and WME among others.
At the end of the Fellowship, each recipient will provide NRDC with a short reflection of how the fellowship has advanced their work and/or career in addition to a revised version of their script including an overview of the changes they made during the revision process.

Writers that opt in with a qualified screenplay or pilot will receive one free month of hosting and one free evaluation. To be considered for the fellowship, a script should engage with climate through events, actions, character, emotions, plot, and/or setting. If you meet these criteria when you opt in, you will receive a notification. Fee waivers must be requested no later than November 27, 2023.

Writers who are interested in submitting to the 2024 NRDC Climate Storytelling Fellowship may do so via this link. Please note that submissions will only be accepted if the writer also includes a short description of how their script qualifies as a climate story. Qualified screenplays and pilots will automatically receive a fee waiver for one free month of hosting and one free evaluation once their submissions are accepted. Qualified screenplays will also automatically be opted into consideration for the program once they are accepted.

Each fellowship recipient will retain complete ownership of their work.

WHAT MAKES A COMPELLING CLIMATE STORY?...

The script can be in any genre, but climate change and solutions must influence action and/or impact characters.

Climate storytelling highlights the ways that climate change affects characters, influences choices, and/or drives action. A climate story acknowledges that we already live in a climate-altered world and are grappling with the impacts to our homes, health, communities, and jobs. We would love to see stories that highlight communities most impacted by the climate crisis and/or stories that feature characters and communities working toward solutions.

We worry about climate change. We feel shame and grief about it. We talk about it with our partners and friends. People discuss whether it makes sense to have children, or wonder where the safest place is to live, or what they can possibly do to help.

Climate can be a central factor in motivating characters and driving plot. The story and genre options are limitless because climate can touch every aspect of life, from food, health, and relationships to justice, jobs, and national security.

There have been few climate stories in mainstream entertainment, especially considering the scale of the crisis. Many depict extreme weather disasters, societal breakdown, and apocalypse. That dark and narrow vision is understandable, and it can be entertaining, but if all the climate stories we see show characters stuck in despair, or in dystopian futures, it reinforces the view that there’s no way out.

It also overlooks the enormous potential for original content that illuminates the more complex and nuanced human reality of the climate crisis, including stories about people fighting for a healthier, more equitable and sustainable future.

We need it all–the bleak and the inspirational, the fantasies, dramas, satires, and rom-coms. It is the power and privilege of writers to show us how climate change is transforming our world, and to help us find a path to salvation. This program aims to support well told stories with climate themes that entertain viewers and allow them to engage with the range of emotions caused by the climate crisis. Our general frame is that if a story works artistically, it’s a great way to approach climate and we hope that submitted scripts continue to reflect a diversity of characters, settings, and tones.

We encourage you to clearly highlight your script’s climate connection in your submission materials, as only qualifying scripts will receive a script waiver.

Note: For TV pilot submissions, applicants who make the long list must also provide a long synopsis or treatment describing the primary story arcs and how the climate themes will be developed throughout the show.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Writers who meet the submission requirements will be able to opt into consideration via the Black List website until midnight on November 27, 2023 All qualifying scripts submitted before the deadline will receive one free script evaluation for their hosted scripts. Based on the strength of their scripts as determined by the Black List’s script evaluations, a long list will be invited to submit a one-page personal statement and professional resume. Short listed writers may be asked to conduct a short interview and three fellowship recipients will be selected no later than April 15, 2024.

IS MY SCRIPT ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION?

ELIGIBILITY:

Scripts that have been previously reviewed on The Black ListScripts by international writersScripts of any genre (as long as they include climate!)Pilots for episodic series or feature scriptsAdapted work, although we recommend securing an option or permission for the original material

NOT ELIGIBLE:

Content created as part of a commercial campaignIncomplete scripts—please upload a completed draft of an original feature film script or pilot teleplayStage plays or musical scriptsNovels

WRITER’S RESOURCES:

Rewrite the Future: Learn more about Rewrite the Future, NRDC’s initiative to help Hollywood take on the climate crisis. Watch their Sundance panels (presented by NRDC and the Black List) for tips and resources to guide your writing.
- “The Big Picture: Representing Our Climate-Altered World On-Screen” (Sundance 2023) brought together a panel of Hollywood professionals to discuss creative strategies for representing climate in film and on TV.
- “More Than a Feeling: Climate Emotions in Film & TV” (Sundance 2022) brought together mental health experts and Hollywood storytellers to discuss how to represent climate emotions in entertainment to better reflect our lived responses to the crisis.
- “Beyond Apocalypse: Alternative Climate Futures in Film and TV” (Sundance 2021) gathered filmmakers and climate leaders to discuss how entertainment stories can help us see, feel, and build the climate future we want.
Sustainability Onscreen Tipsheet: This tipsheet offers a wide array of options for creators and producers interested in representing climate and sustainability onscreen.
Green Production Guide Creative Resources: The PGA and Sustainable Production Alliance have a variety of creative tools available on the Green Production Guide site.
ALBERT Editorial Toolkit: The team at BAFTA’s albert program has put together a comprehensive creative guideon how to incorporate climate and environmental stories into content.

blcklst.com/programs/2024-nrdc-climate-storytelling-fellowship

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Mesa Refuge Residency

DEADLINE: December 1, 2023

APPLICATION FEE: $50

INFO: Mesa Refuge welcomes a diverse community of writers—both emerging and established—who define and/or offer solutions to the pressing issues of our time. Particularly, it is our priority to support writers, activists and artists whose ideas are “on the edge,” taking on the pressing issues of our time including (but not limited to): nature, environment and climate crisis; economic, racial and gender equity; social justice and restorative justice; immigration; health care access; housing; and more.

We especially want writers of nonfiction books, long-form journalism, audio and documentary film. Occasionally we accept poetry, fiction (Young Adult/Adult Literary), screenwriting and playwriting, photojournalism, personal memoirs (as a vehicle to tell a larger story) and graphic narrative. We tend not to accept academic writing. The potential impact and distribution of your project is also important.

We aim to support a diverse community of writers and welcome applicants that represent a broad spectrum of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, immigration status, religion or ability. Please see our DEI statement for more information about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

We typically have one application deadline during the year: December 1. Applications received in December will be considered for residencies throughout the following year.

As a small nonprofit, our application fee of $50 helps underwrite the cost of application review. However, we do not want the application fee to be a barrier to apply. To request a fee waiver, please email us directly here.

Our application process is anonymous, and the questions are mostly short answer. We require one writing sample (max 2,000 words or 10 pages), a current resume, headshot photo and two references (we do not require letters of recommendation). Applicants will be contacted approximately 8-10 weeks after the application deadline.

Our residencies are two weeks long and there is no residency fee. Additional residency expenses like travel, transportation and food are your responsibility. Our facility accommodates three residents at a time.

2024 RESIDENCY DATES:

Session 1: March 1-March 14
Session 2: March 15-28
Session 3: March 29-April 11
Session 4: April 12-April 25
Session 5: April 26-May 9
Session 6: Oct 18-Oct 31
Session 7: Nov 1-Nov 14
Session 8: Nov 29-Dec 12

mesarefuge.org/residencies/application/

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WAVE GRANT

Wavelength Productions

DEADLINE: December 1, 2023

INFO: The WAVE Grant is devoted to helping emerging female and non-binary filmmakers of color tell their own “great f**king story.” This year we will select five recipients to receive a $5,000 seed grant for the production of their short film. Recipients will also receive mentorship from our award-winning team with development, production, and distribution strategies.

AWARD:

Recipients will receive a $5,000 seed grant for the production of their short film.
Recipients will receive a mentorship program. The Wavelength team will assist with development, production, and distribution strategies.

ELIGIBILITY:

Wavelength’s WAVE Grant is for a short narrative film of approximately 10 minutes. Shorts already in production or post-production will not be considered.
Production of the short must be completed within 2024. Production cannot begin before Feb. 2024.
This project must be the applicant’s directorial debut. Student films do not count as prior work. Applicants may have prior experience in film industry apart from directorial role.
Applicants must own the copyright of their production and have budgetary and editorial control.
Applicants must identify as a member of the BIPOC community and identify as woman or non-binary.
Applicants must be based in the United States and will be required to provide proof of residency.
Student films, feature films, series and engagement/outreach campaigns will not be considered. Documentary concepts or films in need of finishing funds will not be considered.

REQUIREMENTS:

Treatment (one-page max) – include a brief outline of the story and tone
Script (optional) – a script is not required but preferred if you have it.
Budget & Schedule – work-in-progress budget at development stage only and your production schedule. (A note on film financing: Wavelength partners with Seed & Spark as a platform tool for grantees to utilize. If the budget exceeds $5,000, must include information on how you plan to raise the additional funding.)
Resume – include a PDF of your CV. A link to your personal portfolio is also welcome.
Video pitch (3 minutes max) – 1-3 minute video introducing yourself and the project (private Vimeo or YouTube link is preferred)
Signed release form – we will not be able to review your application without this release.
If currently enrolled in university, must be graduating in or by 2024.

TIMELINE:

Applications open: October 1, 2023
Applications close: December 1, 2023 at 11:59pm PT
Interviews with finalists: January 2024
All applicants will be notified by January 31, 2024 of the status of their submission
WAVE Grant program begins: February 2024

wavelengthproductions.com/grants

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WINTER '23 GUEST RESIDENCY

Woodward Residency

DEADLINE: December 1, 2023

INFO: Woodward Residency is announces that applications are now open for its Winter '23 Guest Residency in Ridgewood, Queens.

Established/emerging creative professionals in the fields of literary arts, design, music, film, visual arts, architecture, multi-disciplinary and other arts are all encouraged to apply. They also have two pianos in the space for musicians and composers.

RESIDENCY DATES: January 8 — March 29, 2024

ELIGIBILITY: Established/emerging artists and creative professionals in the fields of literary arts, visual arts, design, music, architecture, multi-disciplinary and other arts are encouraged to apply.

Please note that art forms that generate fumes (such as oil painting) cannot be accommodated. Also, with the exception of our piano residents, our space is best suited to less cacophonous artistic pursuits.

AWARD BENEFITS:

Access to the building from 9AM-5 PM, Monday through Friday for the duration of your Guest Residency.
Guest Residents will work in the communal Great Room, with library etiquette.
Open invite to weekly resident gatherings.
A supportive and engaged community of working creatives.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS:

Work Samples + Personal Statement - Recent work samples and your personal statement should reflect your commitment to your work and clarify how the residency would benefit your work at this time. Please see our application for specific guidelines.
References - Please provide the contact info of at least one professional and one personal reference (excluding family members or significant others). If you are new to your field of interest and don’t have a professional reference to speak to your current creative pursuits, you are welcome to provide a reference from someone in another field who has worked directly with you.

EVALUATION PROCESS: A rotating panel of arts professionals will review all applications with the intent of supporting both established and emerging artists. Panelists include novelists, filmmakers, performance artists, literary agents, film/theater producers.

Selection criteria includes originality, commitment to your proposed field of work, interest in community, and demonstrated need for a work space.

We have limited space for Guest Residents and encourage all applicants to reapply if they don’t get a spot in the upcoming session.

woodwardresidency.co/guestresidency

TV / FILM — OCTOBER 2023

September 29, 2023

WAVE Grant

Wavelength Productions

SUBMISSION PERIOD: October 1 - December 1, 2023

AWARD:

Recipients will receive a $5,000 seed grant for the production of their short film.
Recipients will receive a mentorship program. The Wavelength team will assist with development, production, and distribution strategies.

ELIGIBILITY:

Wavelength’s WAVE Grant is for a short narrative film of approximately 10 minutes. Shorts already in production or post-production will not be considered.
Production of the short must be completed within 2024. Production cannot begin before Feb. 2024.
This project must be the applicant’s directorial debut. Student films do not count as prior work. Applicants may have prior experience in film industry apart from directorial role.
Applicants must own the copyright of their production and have budgetary and editorial control.
Applicants must identify as a member of the BIPOC community and identify as woman or non-binary.
Applicants must be based in the United States and will be required to provide proof of residency.
Student films, feature films, series and engagement/outreach campaigns will not be considered. Documentary concepts or films in need of finishing funds will not be considered.

REQUIREMENTS:

Treatment (one-page max) – include a brief outline of the story and tone
Script (optional) – a script is not required but preferred if you have it.
Budget & Schedule – work-in-progress budget at development stage only and your production schedule. (A note on film financing: Wavelength partners with Seed & Spark as a platform tool for grantees to utilize. If the budget exceeds $5,000, must include information on how you plan to raise the additional funding.)
Resume – include a PDF of your CV. A link to your personal portfolio is also welcome.
Video pitch (3 minutes max) – 1-3 minute video introducing yourself and the project (private Vimeo or YouTube link is preferred)
Signed release form – we will not be able to review your application without this release.
If currently enrolled in university, must be graduating in or by 2024.

TIMELINE:

Applications open: October 1, 2023
Applications close: December 1, 2023 at 11:59pm PT
Interviews with finalists: January 2024
All applicants will be notified by January 31, 2024 of the status of their submission
WAVE Grant program begins: February 2024

wavelengthproductions.com/grants

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WIF / The Black List Episodic Lab

WIF / The Black List

APPLICATION PERIOD: October 2 - November 13, 2023

All participants of the 2024 Episodic Lab will also be 2024 WIF Fellows. All WIF Fellowships provide year long support.

ELIGIBILITY:

To be eligible to apply through WIF:

You are the sole and exclusive author of the television pilot submitted for consideration.
You have not received more than $25K in aggregate to date as compensation for television writing work.
You will be available for in-person evening sessions during the month of March 2024.
- Participants must be able to provide proof of current vaccination, subject to CDC guidelines relating to boosters prior to February 20, 2024, and be willing to test for COVID-19 infection prior to each session in March 2024.

TIMELINE:

October 2, 2023 – Applications open
October XX, 2023 — Program AMA (“Ask Me Anything”) Panel
November 13, 2023 – Applications close
Week of January 15, 2024 – Shortlist writers notified
Week of February 5, 2024 – Interviews
Week of February 12, 2024 – Final Participants and all other applicants notified
March 5, 2024 — Episodic Lab begins

womeninfilm.org/updates/episodic-lab-details/

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2023 PBS/Firelight William Greaves Production Fund

APPLICATION PERIOD: October 4 - November 1, 2023 at 11:59pm ET.

INFO: The PBS/Firelight William Greaves Production Fund will resource documentary productions by mid-career filmmakers from diverse communities in the United States that are intended for distribution on PBS through finishing funds or co-production funding.

The Fund is designed to address the persistent structural challenges many filmmakers face after producing their first films, so that they can remain in the field and continue to create vital stories focused on underrepresented people and topics.

ELIGIBILITY:

The PBS/Greaves Fund is open to documentary filmmakers who meet the following criteria:

Identifies as Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color.
Mid-Career filmmaker with a minimum of 7 years experience in documentary filmmaking as a Producer, Director, Co-Director, Editor, Cinematographer, and/or Writer.
Credits on a minimum of two (2) hours of distributed films of any genre, as a Producer, Director, Co-Director, Editor, Cinematographer, and/or Writer. The films must have been distributed via broadcast, streaming, and/or an Academy Award qualifying festival.
Be based in the United States or a U.S. territory (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. Samoa, Guam/Northern Mariana Islands).
Secured a minimum of 20% of the total Production budget.
Holds a minimum of 50% of the Copyright to the production.

You are not eligible to apply if you are:

Currently enrolled as a student. Productions that are part of a degree-granting program are not eligible.
Currently a signatory of any Firelight Media fellowship, development or production agreement(s) which has not yet completed delivery.
Employed by Firelight Media or PBS as an officer, full-time employee, or are a member of the board of directors.

Please email grants@firelightmedia.org if you have any questions.

firelightmedia.submittable.com/submit

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PROOF OF CONCEPT SHORT FILM GRANT

Black Film Space / cliveRd

DEADLINE: Extended to October 6, 2023

APPLICATION FEE: $35 (Free for Black Film Space paying members)

INFO: Black Film Space is partnering with cliveRd, a studio focused on producing and building in media, on a Proof of Concept Short Film Grant.

We are seeking one short film script under 15 minutes/pages that aims to serve as a teaser/preview for a feature film or episodic series.

The grant total will be $9,000.

The project will be selected based on the filmmaker’s ability to present a strong script and treatment that shows great promise as a proof of concept for a feature film or episodic series. We will also consider other factors such as the merit of previous work and financial need.

APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS

Must have at least one visual sample that showcases previous work
Must present a completed script for their short film or episodic series.
Must present a completed treatment
Must present a detailed plan on how they will execute their project with details on production, casting, their team, post production, festival strategy, etc.
Must reside in the United States
At least one of the core team members on the team listed in the application must be of Black/African descent
Must submit a narrative, scripted film. Documentary films/non fiction works will not be considered

REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANT RECIPIENT:

The production timeline for the completed short must be within six months of receiving the grant
Applicants must function in one of the following three roles: writer, director and/or executive producer, and the writer needs to be a part of the selection process
The filmmaker must be willing to exhibit their proof of concept short at Black Film Space’s Awards ceremony in the fall of 2024
CliveRd and Black Film Space must be credited as producers on the short film
Filmmakers must be available for follow up discussions with cliveRd on their progress of their short and their feature film/episodic series
Must be in pre-production and/or producing their feature film or episodic series within AT LEAST a year of receiving the grant
There is a possibility that cliveRd will show continued interest depending on the quality of the feature film/episodic series script and readiness of the filmmaker to complete their project.

blackfilmspace.com/cliverd

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WRITER-DRIVEN SHORTS

The Black List

DEADLINE: Extended to October 15, 2023

INFO: The “Writer-Driven Shorts” program, presented by the Black List x General Motors Marketing and Media Incubator Fund, will grant two emerging filmmakers with $100,000 in production funds to shoot a short film based on their feature scripts.

The short films that are produced as part of the program will aim to have a successful festival run and compete for awards consideration in 2024. GM will provide picture cars to the two filmmakers to use in their short films (if needed).

All genres are encouraged to submit for the Writer-Driven Shorts program, ranging from romantic comedy, action adventure, grounded dramas, fantastical sci-fi and more. In alignment with GM's sustainable, all-electric future and aspiration to be the most inclusive company in the world, films showcasing sustainability, electrification and/or diversity will be highly considered. Scripts with scenes of excessive violence, illegal drug or substance abuse, car crashes, unsafe driving and/or explicit sexual acts will not be considered.

Scripts are not required to include scenes with vehicles.

GM is committed to fighting climate change and achieving carbon neutrality in their operations and products by 2040. As such, the Writer-Driven Shorts program is particularly interested in identifying and supporting filmmakers whose scripts include compelling and optimistic climate storytelling. This opportunity is ideal for writers whose scripts promote hope and idealism–stories about characters who dream of and fight for a more sustainable and equitable future.

These kinds of stories can include (but are certainly not limited to!):

Rom-coms about rival chefs in the slow food movement
Family comedies about a sustainable road trip
Satires about the cutthroat world of local composting organizations
An imagined biopic about a scientist who stops the polar ice caps from melting
Action movies with electric car chases

As part of a broader commitment to a more equitable Hollywood, the Black List and the GM Incubator Fund will also grant fee waivers for one free month of hosting and two free evaluations on blcklst.com to the first 200 writers from traditionally underrepresented communities. Fee waivers will be distributed at the discretion of the Black List and GM - submitting writers will be asked to elaborate on why they qualify for a fee waiver during the final stages of the program submission process.

Writer/directors and writer and director teams are welcome to submit for this opportunity. A link to your project’s directing sample will be required when you submit for the opportunity. If you are a writer who has paired with a director for this project, you must submit a directing sample for your attached director. Please note that only filmmakers who have directed at least one narrative short film will be considered eligible. If you are a writer submitting for this opportunity who has not directed a short film, you must attach an eligible director to your project.

When the submission period ends, a short list of 20 filmmakers will be invited to submit additional materials. These materials include prior directing samples, production plans, lookbooks, and budgets so please be prepared with these materials should you make it to the next round and do not submit for this opportunity if you will not be able to provide any of the above.

Only feature-length scripts will be considered for this program. All shorts will be excerpts and/or adaptations of the selected feature-length scripts. The Black List does not accept short film scripts on the website. Only full-length, completed feature scripts will be accepted for consideration. Do not submit your short film script.

You must have at least one evaluation attached to your script to submit to this program. If you are unable to purchase an evaluation, please check if you qualify for a GM fee waiver for one free month of hosting and two free evaluations. You can read more about the Black List's evaluation requirements here.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Long List Notified: October 16, 2023
Short List Notified: November 15, 2023
Filmmakers Announced: December 15, 2023

REQUIREMENTS:

You must post an original screenplay on www.blcklst.com and opt-in to the Program during the Submission Period. Ideally, you will have directed at least one short film previously.
You must agree to (1) these Submission Requirements, (2) all terms relating to the Program posted on Black List’s website, which you should review and read in full, and (3) the Submission Agreement, which governs the submission of your script to Company and Black List. The Submission Agreement includes important, legally binding terms and conditions, including arbitration of any disputes, which you must read in full before accepting.
If requested, you must submit by a date determined by Company the following materials, which are also governed by the Submission Agreement:

A professional resume and personal statement;
Samples, production plan, look book and short script; o Contact and other personal information; and
Executed originals of the Submission Agreement.

If selected by Company for the Program, as a condition of your participation, you must agree to Company’s terms of such participation, which shall include, without limitation:

The selected candidate will receive a $100,000 grant to produce a short film based on candidate's feature screenplay or other submitted material.
If the candidate does not deliver a completed short film on schedule or otherwise fails to meet their obligations, which will include but will not be limited to identifying and detailing a budget for the use of the grant in the production of the short film (which budget shall be subject to Company's approval), providing a timeline for production (which timeline shall be subject to Company’s approval), and clearing all rights necessary for Company to exploit the short film free and clear of all obligations to third parties, Company shall be entitled to a refund of the grant money.
Company will receive "Producer" mentions in the short films produced in connection with the Be Unstoppable Film Project Program, and Company's name and/or logo will be included in each short film and in promotional communications about each short film.
If selected for the Program, the candidate will grant to Company the necessary rights, permissions and authorizations for Company to use the candidate's name, likeness and the short film produced in connection with the Program (including but not limited to stills, key art, and clips therefrom) in Company advertising, marketing, and promotional material in all media.
All rights or benefits granted by the candidate to Company or services provided by the candidate in connection with the Program shall be non-union.
At Company's request, you may be required to enter into a more formal agreement with Company regarding your participation in this Program, provided that until such time as a more formal agreement is entered into, these Submission Requirements shall remain binding.

You must be at least 18 years of age and not a minor in the state or country of your residence at time of submission.
If the submitted materials written by a team consisting of one or more writers, (i) each member of that writing team must comply with these Submission Requirements, including agreeing to the Submission Agreement described below and (ii) all members of the writing team must opt-out of the Program if any other member becomes ineligible (including as a result of failing to timely agree to the Submission Agreement or failing to timely provide the materials listed above).
The submitted materials must be wholly original to you and you must be the sole owner of all rights. The submitted materials must not in any way infringe upon the copyright of any person or entity or, to the best of your knowledge in the exercise of reasonable prudence, constitute libel, defamation or invasion of privacy or any other rights of any third party. You understand and agree that Black List will share any information that you provide in connection with the Program with Company.

blcklst.com/programs/writerdriven-shorts-presented-by-the-black-list-x-the-gm-incubator-fund

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NICKELODEON WRITING PROGRAM

Nickelodeon Animation

ENTRY PERIOD: October 15 - November 15, 2023

ELIGIBILITY / HOW TO APPLY:

You must be 18 years or older, and eligible to work in the United States to participate.
To apply, follow the link under the “Apply Online” section, fill out the application through our submission portal, and submit two scripts: One spec from our Accepted Shows List which gets updated every year (watch our social media channels for announcements), and one half-hour original comedy pilot.
If you have previously applied to the Program and were not selected, you are welcome and encouraged to apply again with a new spec script for each submission period.

APPLICATION DETAILS:

Kids’ Content (Audience Age 6-11) - This age group is Nickelodeon’s bread and butter. Most of Nickelodeon’s most iconic live-action and animated shows are developed for this demographic including SpongeBob SquarePants, Danger Force, and The Loud House.
Preschool Content (Audience Age 2-6) - The Preschool age group (including “bridge” content for tots moving into early elementary school age) loves to laugh and play along with their content. They’re smart, engaged, and always ready for new shows to watch like Paw Patrol, Ryan’s Mystery Playdate, and Baby Shark’s Big Show.
Preteen/Young Adult (Audience Age 11-17) - Nickelodeon shares its home in the Paramount Kids & Family Group with our partners at Awesomeness who cater to a tween and teen audience. We’ll partner with ATV and the creators of Nick’s shows for a slightly older audience like Side Hustle, Drama Club, and iCarly to make this experience the right one for you.

STEP 2 (Script Preparation) - All applicants must submit a SPEC SCRIPT and HALF HOUR ORIGINAL COMEDY PILOT that adhere to the following guidelines:

Must be based on a television series from the Accepted Shows List (spec only).
Typed in standard Final Draft (or equivalent) script format.
In black type, 12pt courier style font.
Do not upload a cover page with your script.

The following information should be included in the header/footer of your spec script on the first or all pages:

Name of the show (center of the header).
Title of the episode (center of the footer).
Filename should include only the name of your show and episode (Do not include your name or your submission will not be considered).
Do not put your name anywhere on the script, file, or file name.

THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED:

Please note: Submissions that do not adhere to these guidelines will not be considered.

STEP 3 (Accepted Shows 2023):

Abbott Elementary
Agent Elvis
American Auto
Awkwafina is Nora from Queens
Big Mouth
Bob Hearts Abishola
Bob’s Burgers
Call Me Kat
Ghosts
Girls5eva
Grand Crew
Harley Quinn
Home Economics
HouseBroken
How I Met Your Father
Human Resources
I Love That For You
Loot
Lopez vs. Lopez
Mythic Quest
Night Court (2023)
Our Flag Means Death

Party Down
Raven’s Home
Rick and Morty
Solar Opposites
Star Trek: Lower Decks
Tacoma FD
That ’90s Show
The Conners
The Great North
The Ms. Pat Show
The Neighborhood
The Other Two
The Wonder Years (2021)
This Fool
Unstable
We Are Lady Parts
Welcome to Flatch
What We Do in the Shadows
Young Rock
Young Sheldon

STEP 4 (Apply Online)

SUBMISSION MATERIALS TO INCLUDE:

Completed application questions – some of these are long, so start your application early.
One spec script in .pdf format (this applies to both individual writers and writing teams).
One original comedy pilot in .pdf format (this applies to both individual writers and writing teams).
One-page resume in .pdf format.
Completed and digitally signed Submission Release form and Schedule A for each script. These can be downloaded from the link above the document upload section.

COMPLETE YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION:

Beginning July 1st, you can start your application for the Nickelodeon Writing Program. Submissions must be uploaded before 11:59pm PT on August 1st.

All submission materials should be completed and uploaded to the Nickelodeon online submission platform Coverfly. All necessary forms can be downloaded via links embedded in the application.
Once in the platform, fill in the form with your “Project Info” about your spec from the Accepted Shows List.
Projects written by writing teams should only be submitted once. On the first page of the checkout form, writers will have the option to add one additional writer by clicking on the plus sign (+) next to the name fields.
Upload a .pdf of your spec script following the provided instructions. Leave off all identifiable information. At this stage, you will be asked to provide a few additional details about the script.
Choose the Program “Package” and “Add to Cart.”
Give us some “Additional Info” including your contact details, a signed Schedule A form, and a signed Release form (one for each member in the case of writing teams) for each script you submit (spec and pilot). Both forms can be downloaded from the link above the document upload section.
We’ll also need a resume in .pdf format. Please be sure to fill out all required fields and answer all questions or you will not be able to submit your application.
Finally, “Check Out” (at no cost) to complete your submission.
Don’t wait until the last minute! We advise that you give yourself at least two weeks prior to the August 1st deadline to complete your submission. No exceptions will be made for late submissions regardless of the circumstances.
If you are experiencing problems with the online application, please contact the technical support team at Coverfly by scrolling to the bottom of their site homepage and clicking “Contact.”

IMPORTANT DATES:

November 15, 2023 - Submission Period Closes
February 15, 2024 - Semi-Finalists Notified
March 1, 2024 - Chosen Writers Notified

nickanimation.com/programs/writing-program/

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Unscripted Producers Lab

BIPOC TV + FILM

DEADLINE: October 20, 2023

INFO: The Unscripted Producers Lab is a one-week intensive for emerging producers and aspiring showrunners working in unscripted, factual, and reality TV content production.

Developed in partnership with Bell Media senior production executive Tina Apostolopoulos and 2023 lead facilitator Andrea Griffith, the lab will focus on producing an unscripted series from start to finish, covering a range of topics: unscripted storytelling, management skills, casting, production and post-production workflows, financing and scheduling, and career development.

Following the lab intensive, participants will be matched with a mentor for individual support for six months.

KEY DATES

Call for Applications: September 21 to October 20, 2023
Lab Dates: February 26 to March 1, 2024 at Bell Media Studios in Toronto

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

The BIPOC TV & Film Unscripted Producers’ Lab in partnership with Bell Media is open to Canadian residents who are Black, Indigenous, and/or racialized Persons of Colour. To be eligible, you must also meet at least one of the following criteria:
You have/had an unscripted, factual, or reality series in development with a Canadian or US broadcaster or production company; OR,
You have attained a producer-level credit on at least one season of a Canadian or US unscripted, factual, reality or documentary series; OR,
You have a producer credit on a feature-length or broadcast documentary. Note: associate producer credits are eligible.

TOPICS TO BE EXPLORED:

Unscripted Storytelling: Building the vision for your series
Building and Leading an Unscripted Team
The Ins and Outs of Casting
Production and Post-production
Financing, Budgeting and Scheduling
Building Your Relationship with Your Broadcaster/Network
Building and Evolving Your Career

bipoctvandfilm.com/unscripted-producers-lab

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The NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre

NYFA

DEADLINE: November 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM EST

INFO: The NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre provides grants to encourage and support the creation of digital, film, music, and live or online theatre content that reflects the voices and perspectives of all who identify as women.

The NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre (“Women’s Fund”), administered by the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) in partnership with the City of New York Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), is a signature initiative that addresses the underrepresentation of women in the entertainment industry. The Fund provides grants to encourage and support the creation of content that reflects the voices and perspectives of all who identify as women.

The $1.8 million to be awarded in the fifth cycle will bring the grand total of Women’s Fund grants to $9.3 million, allocated to a current total of 343 recipients (97 in Cycle 4, 89 in Cycle 3, 94 in Cycle 2, and 63 in Cycle 1).

THE PROGRAM PROVIDES:

Finishing grants* for film and digital projects
Funds for the creation of music recordings or videos
Production funds for live or online theatre
In addition to being made by, for, or about all who identify as women, projects are eligible if they feature a prominent woman perspective; and/or include a woman-identified director and/or producer and/or writer/songwriter and/or engineer (for recordings) and/or woman-indentified protagonist(s) or lead musical role.
*To be eligible, projects need to have completed principal photography.

GRANTS WILL BE GIVEN IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:

Fiction Feature (running time of 60 minutes or more) – up to $50,000
Fiction Short (running time of 59 minutes or less) – up to $25,000
Fiction Webisode/Webseries (all forms) – up to $20,000
Documentary Feature (running time of 60 minutes or more) – up to $50,000
Documentary Short (running time of 59 minutes or less) – up to $25,000
Documentary Webisodes/Webseries (all lengths and forms) – up to $20,000
Music (all categories) – up to $20,000
Theatre Production – up to $50,000

GRANT TIMELINE

Applications close: November 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET*
Recipients notified: March 2024
Funded Project completion: March 31, 2025

nyfa.org/awards-grants/nyc-womens-fund-for-media-music-and-theatre/

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TV RETREAT & FELLOWSHIP

CineStory Foundation

DEADLINES & SUBMISSION FEES:

Extended Late Deadline – November 5, 2023 ($85)
Final Deadline: December 3, 2023 ($90)

RETREAT DATES:

May 3 – 7, 2024

RETREAT FEE:

The retreat fee for the 2023 Feature Retreat is $2,200 for individual participants and $3,000 for teams (who participate in all retreat events as a team).

The retreat fee covers meals (a light breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and all retreat events, including informal sessions, one-on-one meetings, social gatherings (cocktail parties, etc.).

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Quarterfinalists – Late January
Semifinalists – Late February
Finalists – Mid March
Division Winners – Early April
Fellowship Winner – Mid April

TV DIVISIONS:

Original Drama – 1 hour series
Original Comedy – 30 minute series
Original Sci Fi/Fantasy – 1 hour series
Original Children/Family – 30 min series

Pilots only. For division details, please visit our TV Submissions page.

cinestory.org/retreat-fellowship-contests/tv-retreat-fellowship-contest/

TV / FILM — SEPTEMBER 2023

August 31, 2023

TV RETREAT & FELLOWSHIP

CineStory Foundation

DEADLINES & SUBMISSION FEES:

Regular Deadline: September 4, 2023 ($65)
Late Deadline – October 1, 2023 ($75)
Extended Late Deadline – November 5, 2023 ($85)
Final Deadline: December 3, 2023 ($90)

RETREAT DATES:

May 3 – 7, 2024

RETREAT FEE:

The retreat fee for the 2023 Feature Retreat is $2,200 for individual participants and $3,000 for teams (who participate in all retreat events as a team).

The retreat fee covers meals (a light breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and all retreat events, including informal sessions, one-on-one meetings, social gatherings (cocktail parties, etc.).

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Quarterfinalists – Late January
Semifinalists – Late February
Finalists – Mid March
Division Winners – Early April
Fellowship Winner – Mid April

TV DIVISIONS:

Original Drama – 1 hour series
Original Comedy – 30 minute series
Original Sci Fi/Fantasy – 1 hour series
Original Children/Family – 30 min series

Pilots only. For division details, please visit our TV Submissions page.

cinestory.org/retreat-fellowship-contests/tv-retreat-fellowship-contest/

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FilmHouse Residency

SFFILM

DEADLINE: September 8, 2023

INFO: Located in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood, FilmHouse—the only year-round filmmaker residency program of its kind in the United States—supports narrative and documentary films by making office space available to independent filmmakers actively engaged in various stages of production.

FilmHouse currently holds 21 filmmakers engaged in 12-month residencies, all working in early project stages of screenwriting and pre-production. Typically throughout the year there are roughly 10–20 visiting filmmakers from our other Artist Development programs that utilize FilmHouse work space.

SFFILM’s FilmHouse residency program provides Bay Area-based documentary and narrative filmmakers with artistic guidance, office space, a vibrant creative community, and support from established film industry professionals.

FilmHouse provides an environment where local filmmakers can gather with their colleagues, collaborate on projects together, share resources, get peer-to-peer feedback, find new networks, and more

FilmHouse residents get year-round access to a strong network of support from professional advisors, SFFILM Makers staff, visiting industry professionals, and established artists from the Bay Area and beyond

sffilm.org/artist-development/filmhouse-residencies/

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2024 Spring/Summer residencY

MacDowell

DEADLINE: September 10, 2023

INFO: The Fellowship application period for 2024 Spring/Summer residencies at MacDowell is now open.

There are no residency fees, and to defray expenses that accrue during an artist’s stay, MacDowell provides need-based stipends to cover rent, utilities, childcare, and lost income from taking time off from employment, as well as grants to travel to and from the residency.

MacDowell encourages artists to apply in any stage of their career, and from all backgrounds and countries, in the following disciplines: architecture, film/video arts, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theatre, and visual arts.

If your proposed project does not fall clearly within one of these artistic disciplines, you should contact the admissions department for guidance at admissions@macdowell.org.

Spring/Summer residencies will take place between March 1, 2024 and August 31, 2024.

macdowell.org/apply/apply-for-fellowship

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SCREENWRITING LAB

Film Independent

DEADLINES / FEES:

Member: September 11, 2023 / $45

INFO: The Screenwriting Lab is a two-week workshop held in the first quarter of the year, designed to provide individualized story and career development for emerging screenwriters with a fiction feature screenplay.

Each Screenwriting Fellow will be paired with a Creative Advisor, with whom they’ll work one-on-one and in group sessions to further develop their project over the course of the program. The Screenwriting Lab also helps to further the careers of its Fellows by introducing them to film industry veterans who can offer guidance on both the craft and business of screenwriting. A variety of guest speakers may screen and discuss their own films and offer career insights, and a final pitch event offers further opportunity for individualized feedback and discussion with industry executives.

ELIGIBILITY:

The Screenwriting Lab is open to any writer applying with a completed draft of a feature-length project they wish to workshop during the program, with an eye toward production. More details available in the FAQ section below.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applicants must submit the following materials for consideration:

A cover letter detailing what drew you to apply to the Screenwriting Lab and why this is the right time for you to participate in the program (500 words max)
One complete, feature-length screenplay
An artist statement explaining the genesis of the story, your creative vision and intentions for the film (750 words max)
A look book (optional)
A logline (35 words) and synopsis for the film
Bios of attached key cast and crew, if any – Attachments are not required for consideration
Project status and history, including any relevant development history, awards received or labs and/or markets attended with the project
A narrative directing sample, if you plan on directing the film with which you are applying

FAQ:

Screenwriting Lab is for writers only; other collaborators are not invited to participate.
Writing partners/teams are welcome to apply and need only submit one application.
We are open to filmmakers at any level of experience.
International applicants are eligible; the script must be translated into English for consideration.
Adaptations are eligible; the applicant must retain rights to the underlying material.
At this time, documentary, short film and television projects are not eligible to apply.
We will reconsider projects that have previously been submitted, provided the writer(s) can demonstrate progress on the project and/or professional development.
Filmmakers may apply to multiple Film Independent Artist Development programs and there is no requirement to have participated in any one program before another.

Please note: Each applicant must be the author of the script he/she submits.

THE FINE PRINT:

Beyond the application fee, there is no cost or tuition to participate in any of Film Independent’s Artist Development programs.

Applicants will be notified three to four weeks prior to the start of the program.

Applicants who are invited to participate in the program should plan to be in Los Angeles for the duration of the Lab. Film Independent is unable to subsidize any travel, lodging and/or visa expenses for any participants attending from outside of Los Angeles. Participants are expected to attend all sessions in person.

filmindependent.org/programs/artist-development/screenwriting-lab/

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LANI’S GARDENS ARTISTS' RESIDENCY

DEADLINE: September 15, 2023

APPLICATION FEE: $20 (Paypal: issilah@gmail.com | Venmo: @kehaulanimusic | CashApp: $LaniPark888)

FEE: $555/month

INFO: Lani’s Gardens Artists Residency’s mission is to serve BIPOC, LGBTQ+ & ally artists & their families by providing them with a transformative island residency experience and a beautiful space in nature to relax, recharge, rejuvenate and create. The residency is located on the Big Island of Hawai'i. Artists live in an off-grid, solar-powered, private & gated, close-to-nature, glamping artists' sanctuary with a round swimming pool, picnic table, fireplace, and meditation tipi and a permaculture food forest with over 100 medicinal and edible plants, berry bushes, flowers, and fruit trees.

ELIGIBILITY: Practicing artists of all backgrounds and at any stage of their career are eligible to apply for a Lani’s Gardens Artists’ Retreat residency. Artists must be at least twenty-one years old. Please note that all eligibility requirements must be met at the time of application. We invite applicants to apply in the following disciplines:

Writing (poetry, fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, and journalism)
Visual Arts
Dance
Theater
Music Composition
Architecture
Interdisciplinary Work

DIVERSITY STATEMENT: Lani’s Gardens Artists’ Retreat actively seeks to invite diverse artists. Lani’s Gardens Artists’ Retreat does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, religion, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, veteran status, medical conditions including HIV, or sensory, physical, or mental disability.

RESIDENCY SESSIONS:

September 1st
October 2023
November 2023
December 2023
January 2024
February 2024
March 2024

APPLICATION TIMELINE & QUALIFICATIONS:

Applications will be accepted annually starting September 1st, until October 1st, at midnight Hawai'i Time. Late applications will not be accepted. Applicants will be contacted by October 1st. To apply, please contact Lani at kehaulanimusic@gmail.com and ask for an Lani’s Gardens’ Artists’ Retreat Application form. For questions, please contact kehaulanimusic@gmail.com with the subject line “Residency.” Or, give us a call at (808) 430-5459.

Applicants are judged by the same criteria across disciplines. We are looking for artistic excellence, sustained impact, and boldness of vision.

REFERENCES:

All applicants are required to submit two professional references. Please provide the name, contact information, and a very brief description of the nature of your professional relationship for each reference. Lani’s Gardens contacts references only if the application advances. References would be contacted iby either email or phone and would not submit a formal letter.

WORK SAMPLES:

VISUAL ART - Submit 5 JPEG images that best represent your work. They can be no more than three MB per image.
MUSIC COMPOSITION - Submit two or three audio samples of representative work. Each should be no more than 30MB each and should be in MP3 format or in MP4 or MOV format or by Vimeo or YouTube link.
DANCE - Submit two or three works totaling no more than fifteen minutes of video. Each work sample should be submitted in MP4 or MOV format or by Vimeo or YouTube link.
THEATER - Submit either two or three videos or PDFs. If you submit via video, they should total no more than fifteen minutes together in MP4 or MOV format or by Vimeo or YouTube link.
POETRY - Submit eight to ten short poems or excerpts of poems. The total should not exceed 15 pages and should be in PDF format.
FICTION, NONFICTION, & SCREENWRITING - Submit two to three work samples in the genre that you wish to work in during your residency. The total should not exceed 20 pages, be double-spaced, and be in PDF format.
ARCHITECTURE - Submit two to three examples of previous design-based architecture projects in the form of PDFs, video, or a combination of the two. The applicant may submit work samples including but not limited to models, drawings, and images of completed work.
INTERDISCIPLINARY WORK - Submit three to five work samples. The work samples can be in one type of media or a mixture of media including images (jpegs should be no more than three MB each), PDFs, video (MP4/MOV should be no more than 250 MB), Vimeo link, YouTube link, or audio (MP3 should be no more 30MB each).

kehaulanimusic.typeform.com/to/gBdFe4lR

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BIPOC WOMEN FILM PRODUCTION GRANT

BendFilm

DEADLINE: September 15, 2023

INFO: On-screen representation affects cultural understanding of BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ+ characters. Barriers need to be broken down until equal representation is achieved on-screen and behind the camera.

BendFilm’s Grant will support a BIPOC women artist with $20,000 toward making their short or feature film. The grant supports storytellers who are working to tell creative and complex stories told from a point of view that is unique and authentic.

Filmmakers who have been underrepresented are less likely to have the funding support to produce their first films to jumpstart their careers. This grant breaks down the economic barrier to democratize the art form which in turn will:

Support the career of an underrepresented artist.

Increase the production of films that accurately portray underrepresented communities.

Lead audiences to a better understanding of themselves (if underrepresented) or to the life experience of someone unlike themselves.

HOW IT WILL WORK:

Preferred candidates will produce their film in Oregon, but that is not a mandatory requirement.
BendFilm programmers and independent reviewers will assess each application to narrow down the finalists.
Five (5) to ten (10) final candidates will virtually pitch their projects live to a panel of industry professionals (to be announced soon) during the 19th Annual BendFilm Festival between October 6-9th in-person and 10th-23rd virtually, 2022.
The panel will decide the winner of the $10,000 production grant and may provide mentorship during the filmmaking process at panelists discretion and interest.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Submit a proposal (details coming soon). Eligibility guidelines:
The director of the film must identify as a woman and person of color
The funded film must be made in accordance with the treatment that will be provided in the official RFP.
The film must be completed on deadline (details coming soon).
The project must credit Braemar Charitable Trust, the Oregon Film Office, and BendFilm as Associate Producers.
The film must be available to World Premiere during BendFilm’s 20th Annual Festival in October 2023.

FAQs:

Are there any limitations on how grant funds can be spent?

Yes. The film must be directed by a woman who is a black, indigenous, or a person of color . Preferred applicants will reside in Oregon and plan to shoot their film in Oregon.

How will applications be evaluated?

A team made up of BendFilm staff, Board Members and two (2) local filmmakers will evaluate initial applications for artistic merit and ensure all minimum requirements are met. Due to the volume of applications we are not able to provide specific feedback on projects that are not selected.

bendfilm.org/education/bendfilm-production-grant/

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Open Call For Proposals: Film Production Grant

Voices With Impact

DEADLINE: September 17, 2023 at midnight

INFO: Voices With Impact is a yearly short film production grant that funds 5 minute films that create transformative conversations around the topic of mental health. Each year VWI awards 10 filmmaking teams $7.5k to make a 5 minute short on specific underrepresented mental health topics.

This year we are looking for proposals on the topic of Serious Mental Illness, or Cliques & Echo Chambers.

FAQ:

We global you can apply from anywhere in the world!
We accept any genre of film proposal, from documentary to dark comedy, from drama to experimental animation.
The proposal must be for a film 5 minutes or less.
The 2024 submission window for film proposals is now open. The deadline is Midnight PT September 17 2023. Submissions will be juried by filmmakers and mental health professionals.

PROPOSAL GUIDE:

Your Contact Information (completed on webform)

Name of primary filmmaker (to be main point of contact) Email of primary filmmaker
Phone of primary filmmaker
Location of primary filmmaker (city, state or province, country) Which film content area are you applying for?

Your Previous Work (completed on webform)

Brief description and links (if available) of up to three relevant films and/or scripts that you’ve created (max. 150 words/project, 5 mins/clip)

Your Proposal

The following numbered items should be included in 1 document. You will share a downloadable link such as Google Drive or WeTransfer in the webform. We encourage you to make this proposal document look nice and appealing for our jurors.

Your Resume (We want to see what you've done in film here)
Names, bios, and credentials of any identified collaborators (director, director of photography, writer, producer, actors)
A Logline: a brief summary of your film idea (max. 75 words)
Project treatment: outline of story, plot, themes, filmmaking techniques. (max. 500 words)
Mood board or alternative visual inspiration.
Why you, why this film, and why now? (max. 250 words)
Explain:

a. WHAT mental health themes are explored in the film?

b.HOW are mental health themes explored in the film?

8. Connection with content area - how voices of people most impacted by Serious Mental Illness or Cliques & Echo Chambers you are exploring will be included in the film, whether it’s through the identities of the filmmaker/ filmmaking team, connection or affiliation with the population, or demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the population (max. 250 words)

9. What subject matter expert community organizations or partners might you work/consult with during production, or which organizations would you like to be connected with? (max. 150 words)

10. A realistic and reasonable line-by-line budget for how the $7,500 grant would be used, including any additional funding and funding sources if relevant.

11. Production schedule from November 1, 2022 through April 1, 2023 (including any resources, locations, collaborations, etc.)

voiceswithimpact.com/production-grant

_____

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: ‘HOMEGROWN: A Part Of/Apart From.'

Firelight Media

DEADLINE: September 18, 2023 at 11:59pm PST

INFO: Firelight Media, Black Public Media, Latino Public Broadcasting, and Pacific Islanders in Communications invite emerging BIPOC filmmakers living in the U.S. territories and Hawai'i – and their diasporic communities – to submit proposals for season two of 'HOMEGROWN: A Part Of/Apart From.'

Eight selected filmmakers will receive $45,000 each to produce an 8-15 minute non-fiction short film, work with the producing partners from development through distribution, and receive mentorship by established independent filmmakers. Selected films will be distributed through public media with a planned release for winter 2024.

CREATIVE BRIEF:

Titled after a term coined by Michael Bevacqua, host of the Fanachu! podcast, our upcoming HOMEGROWN collection will focus on stories grappling with issues of sovereignty, agency, and the variety of ways communities negotiate what it means to be “a part of and apart from.”

We seek projects that disrupt mainstream narratives about the U.S. Territories and illuminate the living histories, cultures, and future visions of the regions. Projects can vary in scope/approach, and address topics including (but not limited to):

New forms of resistance
Land rights and reparations work
Climate change and migration
Cultural changemakers
Community portraits and rituals
Bureaucracy and its misuse
Healthcare & the body
Celebrations and joy
Voting rights
Historical inaccuracies
Militarization
Self determination
Home and identity
Solidarity across territories
Duality
Freedom

In preparation for another election cycle, HOMEGROWN: A Part of/Apart From explores how filmmakers, culture bearers, and communities are re-defining democracy through place-based storytelling.

Projects that address the following questions will receive priority consideration:

What does duality look like in your community?
In what ways does the past affect the present?
What socio-cultural values should be retained?
What communities would benefit from amplification?
Are there movements/people/events that have flourished that the rest of the country should know about?
How can difference be a propelling force?

The ideal candidates for the initiative are emerging filmmakers committed to unearthing never-before-told narratives rooted in their local community.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Project must be short form non-fiction, with a duration of 8-15 minutes
Project must be in development, pre-production, or early production
Applicants must identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or a person of color
Applicants must reside in or be a descendant of the U.S territories (Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands) and Hawai’i
Applicants must be able to complete the project by Winter 2024
Applicants must hold artistic, budgetary, and editorial control, and must own the copyright of the proposed project
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older by the time of submission
Applicants must be willing and able to work collaboratively with Firelight Media, PIC, the National Multicultural Alliance partners, PBS, local public media staff, and mentors
Only one proposal may be submitted per applicant
Currently enrolled graduate students may apply, but you must demonstrate your ability to deliver a short film with a demanding timeline and strict PBS reporting guidelines

Projects NOT Eligible:

Applicants cannot reside in New York or L.A.
Feature documentaries, series, or fiction projects
Projects in post-production or completed films
Projects that are student films or are related to coursework
Projects or production entities which are non-US-based, owned, or controlled
Branded content or promotional projects

firelightmedia.submittable.com/submit/

_____

OPEN CALL FOR MEDIA MAKERS

Black Public Media

DEADLINE: September 25, 2023

INFO: Each year, BPM issues an open call for feature-length documentaries and shorts (nonfiction or scripted) that are currently in pre-production, production, or post-production and intended for public media distribution. In addition to feature length documentaries and shorts, we accept proposals for pilot episodes of a broadcast length or shorts limited series. The limited series must be 3 to 5 episodes. Selected projects will receive production funding to advance the work. The submission dates and specific content priorities for the 2023 Open Call will be announced in August. Awards will be announced in December 2023.

OUR FUNDING PRIORITIES:

1) Climate Change
2) Environmental Justice
3) Democracy

Projects will receive funding as follows: One broadcast-length project will receive up to $100,000. One short project will receive up to $50,000. In addition, BPM may award invitations to participate in our 360 Incubator+, a hybrid professional development program or PitchBLACK, a forum to compete for up to $150,000 in production funding. Please note that all Black Public Media (BPM) funding awards are licensing agreements for public media distribution.

ELIGIBILITY:

To be eligible for the Open Call:

The applicant must (a) be the project’s producer or director, (b) be a US citizen, (c) have a minimum of three years professional producing and/or directing experience, or have a senior producer attached to the project;
Key creative personnel (producer, director, writer, or editor) must include a person of color;
The proposed content must be either a short (scripted or nonfiction) or broadcast-length documentary for public media distribution;

The project must be completed within 36 months of receiving the award;
The applicant must hold artistic, budgetary and editorial control, and must own the copyright of the proposed project;
Projects or production entities that are foreign-based, owned or controlled are NOT eligible. Neither are industrial, promotional or student films.

DEADLINE: Our deadlines are strict. We highly recommend that you start your application in plenty of time and “save” to complete your submission over time. As soon as the application window closes, a panel of media professionals across the industry will evaluate the proposals in a two-tier review process. The deadline for this year’s Open Call will be announced in August.

REVIEW CRITERIA:

The review panel will evaluate each proposal using the following guidelines:

The subject/story meets BPM’s mission to engage audiences around a critical social issue.
The synopsis demonstrates a compelling narrative that is unique and original.
The treatment clearly describes the visual and audio approach, narrative structure and overall style.
The team’s production experience will support the execution of the project.
The budget and production timeline matches the scope of the project presented.
The video sample demonstrates skill, creativity and ability of production team to execute the proposed project
The overall application is a professional proposal that demonstrates project readiness.

RIGHTS + RELEASES:

Projects selected for funding will receive a BPM funding contract. The contract is not a grant but a licensing agreement in which BPM is granted exclusive or shared domestic public television distribution rights as well as the exclusive or shared right to package, schedule and promote the program through public broadcasting. BPM makes no expressed or implied commitment to financially support a project until an agreement is signed by both the applicant and BPM. As a condition of the funding contract, producers must agree to BPM’s standard terms and conditions, including the following:

For broadcast projects, assignment to BPM of public television broadcast rights for four (4) years over national public television, off-air record rights, and internet streaming rights;
For web projects only, assignment to BPM of streaming rights for four (4) years;
Funding and/or Presentation credit to BPM and Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB);

Net revenues must be shared with BPM from the exercise of subsidiary or ancillary rights over a 15-year period;
Financial books and records related to the production must be maintained for three (3) years following the receipt of funds or net revenues by the producers.

Producers must comply with all equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination laws and policies, payola/plugola requirements and other applicable federal and state rules and regulations.

blackpublicmedia.org/for-media-makers/open-call/

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Proof of Concept Short Film Grant

Black Film Space / cliveRd

DEADLINE: September 26, 2023

APPLICATION FEE: $35 (Free for Black Film Space paying members)

INFO: Black Film Space is partnering with cliveRd, a studio focused on producing and building in media, on a Proof of Concept Short Film Grant.

We are seeking one short film script under 15 minutes/pages that aims to serve as a teaser/preview for a feature film or episodic series.

The grant total will be $9,000.

APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS

Must have at least one visual sample that showcases previous work
Must present a completed script for their short film or episodic series.
Must present a completed treatment
Must present a detailed plan on how they will execute their project with details on production, casting, their team, post production, festival strategy, etc.
Must reside in the United States
At least one of the core team members on the team listed in the application must be of Black/African descent
Must submit a narrative, scripted film. Documentary films/non fiction works will not be considered

REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANT RECIPIENT:

The production timeline for the completed short must be within six months of receiving the grant
Applicants must function in one of the following three roles: writer, director and/or executive producer, and the writer needs to be a part of the selection process
The filmmaker must be willing to exhibit their proof of concept short at Black Film Space’s Awards ceremony in the fall of 2024
CliveRd and Black Film Space must be credited as producers on the short film
Filmmakers must be available for follow up discussions with cliveRd on their progress of their short and their feature film/episodic series
Must be in pre-production and/or producing their feature film or episodic series within AT LEAST a year of receiving the grant
There is a possibility that cliveRd will show continued interest depending on the quality of the feature film/episodic series script and readiness of the filmmaker to complete their project.

blackfilmspace.com/cliverd

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TV PILOT COMPETITION

ScreenCraft

DEADLINES: September 30, 2023

INFO: Our TV Competition has a history of getting writers signed, staffed, and have helped them land development deals for their own projects. It's one of our most successful competitions, period. Winners and finalists have signed with 3Arts, Management 360, CAA, Verve, Zero Gravity, and more.

MENTORS: We welcome Emmy-winning writer, creator, showrunner Damon Lindelof (WATCHMEN, THE LEFTOVERS, LOST) as our Grand Juror. Damon will meet with the grand prize winner of the program.

A Note To Entrants And Those Considering Entry During The WGA Strike:

At ScreenCraft, we stand in solidarity with the Writers Guild of America and its efforts to ensure fair compensation for writers.

ScreenCraft has publicly committed to pausing the sharing of writers’ work with struck companies and, if needed, coordinating with finalists and winners to see what alternate outreach they are comfortable with.

We’re all hoping the strike will be over soon, but if it isn’t, ScreenCraft will offer alternatives, postpone announcements, or otherwise work with writers to ensure they’re staying within the rules of the WGA strike.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER:

The overall grand prize winner will be welcomed to the ScreenCraft Writer Development Program and receive personal introductions and phone calls with one or more top Hollywood literary manager(s) who are looking for talented emerging Film & TV screenwriters.

ScreenCraft's relationships include companies like Blumhouse, Netflix, HBO Max, AMC, and over 150 other Hollywood managers, agents, producers, and development executives.

ScreenCraft has a proven track record for getting writers signed with managers, agents, and staffed in writing rooms.

Personal Introduction to industry professionals
Accepted into the ScreenCraft Writer Development Program
$1,000 Cash
An exclusive invitation to a Finalist+ workshop to position yourself and your writing to the industry
Free 6-month membership to The Tracking Board

RUNNER-UP PRIZES:

Winner:

$500 cash award
Accepted into ScreenCraft Development Program
An exclusive invitation to a Finalist+ workshop to position yourself and your writing to the industry
Free 6-month membership to The Tracking Board

Finalists:

An exclusive invitation to a Finalist+ workshop to position yourself and your writing to the industry
Free 6-month membership to The Tracking Board

screencraft.org/pilot/

_____

ARTISTS & WRITERS RESIDENCY

Vermont Studio Center

DEADLINE: October 1, 2023

INFO: Each month, VSC welcomes over 50 artists and writers from across the country and around the world to our historic campus in northern Vermont.

All of our residencies include:

A private room in modest, shared housing
24-hour access to a private studio space in one of our 6 medium-specific studio buildings
3 communal meals per day (plus fresh fruit, coffee/tea/cold beverages, and cereal available around the clock)

Most residents stay with us for 1 month, so our sessions adhere to a 4-week calendar however, residencies can be scheduled in 2-week increments ranging from 2 to 12 weeks if a shorter or longer stay better suits your needs. Although we accept residents for stays for 2 weeks, we recommend a minimum stay of one month for the fullest experience.

Each 4-week session includes:

Opening Night Dinner & Reception
7 Resident Presentation (“Res Pres”) Nights
2 Open Studios Nights
Public Slide Talks / Public Readings from our Visiting Artists & Writers
Visiting Writer Craft Talks (open to writers only)
Opportunities for studio visits/manuscript critiques with Visiting Artists/Writers

Most months, numerous other spontaneous events take place--intimate readings, pop-up shows, group hikes or swims, performances, site-specific installations, movie screenings, dance parties, and bonfires, to name a few.

All events in our monthly program are optional. Our program is designed to enhance your studio practice by providing opportunities to engage with a supportive creative community; you are welcome to participate in as many or as few of these activities as you like.

FELLOWSHIPS:

Voices Rising Fellowship - For Black American women fiction writers with demonstrable financial need. This fellowship was established in honor of women writers of color such as Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Zora Neale Hurston, whose voices have inspired so many. This award includes a $2,000 stipend.
Susanna Colloredo Environmental Writing Fellowship - For a writer whose creative work directly engages environmental issues, awareness, and the complex challenges facing the planet.
Harpo Foundation Native American Fellowship - This award supports exceptional Native American writers. This award includes a $500 travel stipend.

vermontstudiocenter.org/

_____

WRITER-DRIVEN SHORTS

The Black List

DEADLINE: Extended to October 15, 2023

Scripts are not required to include scenes with vehicles.

These kinds of stories can include (but are certainly not limited to!):

Rom-coms about rival chefs in the slow food movement
Family comedies about a sustainable road trip
Satires about the cutthroat world of local composting organizations
An imagined biopic about a scientist who stops the polar ice caps from melting
Action movies with electric car chases

IMPORTANT DATES:

Long List Notified: October 16, 2023
Short List Notified: November 15, 2023
Filmmakers Announced: December 15, 2023

REQUIREMENTS:

You must post an original screenplay on www.blcklst.com and opt-in to the Program during the Submission Period. Ideally, you will have directed at least one short film previously.
You must agree to (1) these Submission Requirements, (2) all terms relating to the Program posted on Black List’s website, which you should review and read in full, and (3) the Submission Agreement, which governs the submission of your script to Company and Black List. The Submission Agreement includes important, legally binding terms and conditions, including arbitration of any disputes, which you must read in full before accepting.
If requested, you must submit by a date determined by Company the following materials, which are also governed by the Submission Agreement:

A professional resume and personal statement;
Samples, production plan, look book and short script; o Contact and other personal information; and
Executed originals of the Submission Agreement.

If selected by Company for the Program, as a condition of your participation, you must agree to Company’s terms of such participation, which shall include, without limitation:

The selected candidate will receive a $100,000 grant to produce a short film based on candidate's feature screenplay or other submitted material.
If the candidate does not deliver a completed short film on schedule or otherwise fails to meet their obligations, which will include but will not be limited to identifying and detailing a budget for the use of the grant in the production of the short film (which budget shall be subject to Company's approval), providing a timeline for production (which timeline shall be subject to Company’s approval), and clearing all rights necessary for Company to exploit the short film free and clear of all obligations to third parties, Company shall be entitled to a refund of the grant money.
Company will receive "Producer" mentions in the short films produced in connection with the Be Unstoppable Film Project Program, and Company's name and/or logo will be included in each short film and in promotional communications about each short film.
If selected for the Program, the candidate will grant to Company the necessary rights, permissions and authorizations for Company to use the candidate's name, likeness and the short film produced in connection with the Program (including but not limited to stills, key art, and clips therefrom) in Company advertising, marketing, and promotional material in all media.
All rights or benefits granted by the candidate to Company or services provided by the candidate in connection with the Program shall be non-union.
At Company's request, you may be required to enter into a more formal agreement with Company regarding your participation in this Program, provided that until such time as a more formal agreement is entered into, these Submission Requirements shall remain binding.

You must be at least 18 years of age and not a minor in the state or country of your residence at time of submission.
If the submitted materials written by a team consisting of one or more writers, (i) each member of that writing team must comply with these Submission Requirements, including agreeing to the Submission Agreement described below and (ii) all members of the writing team must opt-out of the Program if any other member becomes ineligible (including as a result of failing to timely agree to the Submission Agreement or failing to timely provide the materials listed above).
The submitted materials must be wholly original to you and you must be the sole owner of all rights. The submitted materials must not in any way infringe upon the copyright of any person or entity or, to the best of your knowledge in the exercise of reasonable prudence, constitute libel, defamation or invasion of privacy or any other rights of any third party. You understand and agree that Black List will share any information that you provide in connection with the Program with Company.

blcklst.com/programs/writerdriven-shorts-presented-by-the-black-list-x-the-gm-incubator-fund

TV / FILM — AUGUST 2023

July 31, 2023

OPEN CALL FOR MEDIA MAKERS

Black Public Media

APPLICATION OPEN: August 2023

OUR FUNDING PRIORITIES:

1) Climate Change
2) Environmental Justice
3) Democracy

ELIGIBILITY:

To be eligible for the Open Call:

The applicant must (a) be the project’s producer or director, (b) be a US citizen, (c) have a minimum of three years professional producing and/or directing experience, or have a senior producer attached to the project;
Key creative personnel (producer, director, writer, or editor) must include a person of color;
The proposed content must be either a short (scripted or nonfiction) or broadcast-length documentary for public media distribution;

The project must be completed within 36 months of receiving the award;
The applicant must hold artistic, budgetary and editorial control, and must own the copyright of the proposed project;
Projects or production entities that are foreign-based, owned or controlled are NOT eligible. Neither are industrial, promotional or student films.

REVIEW CRITERIA:

The review panel will evaluate each proposal using the following guidelines:

The subject/story meets BPM’s mission to engage audiences around a critical social issue.
The synopsis demonstrates a compelling narrative that is unique and original.
The treatment clearly describes the visual and audio approach, narrative structure and overall style.
The team’s production experience will support the execution of the project.
The budget and production timeline matches the scope of the project presented.
The video sample demonstrates skill, creativity and ability of production team to execute the proposed project
The overall application is a professional proposal that demonstrates project readiness.

RIGHTS + RELEASES:

For broadcast projects, assignment to BPM of public television broadcast rights for four (4) years over national public television, off-air record rights, and internet streaming rights;
For web projects only, assignment to BPM of streaming rights for four (4) years;
Funding and/or Presentation credit to BPM and Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB);

Net revenues must be shared with BPM from the exercise of subsidiary or ancillary rights over a 15-year period;
Financial books and records related to the production must be maintained for three (3) years following the receipt of funds or net revenues by the producers.

Producers must comply with all equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination laws and policies, payola/plugola requirements and other applicable federal and state rules and regulations.

blackpublicmedia.org/for-media-makers/open-call/

_____

OPEN CALL

ITVS

DEADLINE: August 11, 2023 by 11:59pm PT

INFO: Open Call gives independent producers up to $350,000 to complete production for a standalone broadcast length documentary to air on public television. The documentary can be on any subject, viewpoint or style as long as it is in active production already, as evidenced via a ten to fifteen minute work in progress sample. For pre-production nonfiction projects, see Diversity Development Fund or Short-Form Open Call.

Open Call is not a grant. You will receive funding in the form of a co-production agreement that assigns ITVS certain broadcast and streaming rights to your project during the term of the contract.

Be sure to allow sufficient time (2-4 weeks) to complete the application. ITVS has adopted the Non-Fiction Core standards as a foundation for our funding applications. Much of the Open Call application has been aligned with this model, however, there is additional production detail required to complete the application as ITVS funds documentaries for public television.

WHO WE FUND:

Open Call supports:

Single, non-fiction projects of standard broadcast length (30, 60, or 90 minutes) that aren’t intended solely for theatrical or SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) release. We do not accept live-action drama or fiction.
Broadcast distribution for feature length programs on public television are very limited. ITVS may require you to deliver a one-hour version of your program.
Works in progress.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Review Process

After you submit your application, you will receive notification of your status within 16-20 weeks. If you are among a small group of finalists who advance through a series of peer reviews, you will be asked to submit additional materials for a feasibility review.

Decisions are final and may not be appealed. However, unsuccessful applicants are welcome to apply again in the future. Reviewer feedback will only be provided to those applicants that make it to panel review or, based on staff capacity, for those applicants from Phase One.

Production and Distribution

ITVS doesn’t just fund your film. We provide you with creative development and feedback, and, depending on the broadcast outlet, with marketing, publicity, and audience engagement services. You own copyright and maintain full editorial, creative, and financial control.

Funded projects will be expected to acknowledge the production support from ITVS in all program and publicity materials; cooperate with ITVS’ publicity protocols; provide timely information to ITVS about project activities, including notification of and request for approval of any major changes to the project; and submit contract deliverables, including final financial reporting at the conclusion of the project. Failure to submit the final financials will preclude applicants from eligibility to apply for future funding.

When your program is at or near completion, we offer it to and work closely with public television programmers across the U.S. to secure a sublicense of public television broadcast rights and ensure the broadcast of your program. ITVS will enter into a license agreement for exclusive domestic television rights.

Most ITVS-funded programs air on PBS series such as Independent Lens, POV, American Masters, FRONTLINE, and America ReFramed. Our programs also have success in the festival, educational video, home video, SVOD and foreign broadcast markets.

ELIGIBILITY:

You are eligible to apply if you are:

The owner of the copyright of your production and maintain editorial control of the story. If more than one applicant is included on the application, both applicants must be copyright owners.
Not employed full-time as a producer or director by a broadcast entity or film studio.
Someone with previous film or television production experience in a principal role: director, producer or first-time filmmakers with an experienced producer attached to the project.
Graduate thesis are eligible as previously completed work. Undergraduate student work will not be reviewed
Applying to only this ITVS funding initiative at this time – we won’t review projects already under consideration for other ITVS funding.
A citizen or legal resident of the U.S. or its external territories age 18 or older.
Individuals can only submit one application per round, as either an applicant or a second applicant. However, an applicant can be a member of the key creative personnel on multiple projects.
Seeking funding for only production activities that support the completion and delivery of a program for broadcast.
Submitting a project that is in production or post-production. Projects that are early in production may not be as competitive unless you have demonstrated access, strong storytelling in your treatment and work sample, and an urgency to the story.

You are not eligible to apply if you are:

Currently enrolled student.
Current signatories of any ITVS production contracts who have not yet completed delivery.
Producers representing foreign-based production entities.
Persons employed full-time as producers/directors by a public or commercial broadcast entity, including public access stations.
Organizations including universities, foundations, and nonprofit organizations.
Your project is too advanced (e.g. at fine cut or festival submission cut).
Programs that have been previously broadcast, or distributed publicly (including theatrical, festivals, educational, community screenings or online platforms).
Former employees who have worked for ITVS within the past 12 months.

itvs.org/funding/open-call/#who-we-fund

_____

2023 SDF Production Grant

Southern Documentary Fund

DEADLINE: August 18, 2023

INFO: Applications are now open for the 2023 SDF Production Grant for Southern filmmakers living and working in the American South.

GRANT ELIGIBILITY:

Project Directors should reside or have deep roots in one of the following twelve Southern states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Applicants must have a U.S. social security number or U.S. federal tax ID number.
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
Applicants must not be enrolled in a film school and/or seeking funds for a student project.
*NOTE: If your project has special circumstances regarding eligibility, please feel free to reach out: sdfgrants@southerndocumentaryfund.org

WHAT WE FUND:

This program is for Southern makers. We seek to bring visibility to makers and communities who are oftentimes overlooked. We will fund:

Nonfiction documentaries (shorts, features, docuseries, and experimental).
Projects must be in production. Proposals for research, development, post-production, distribution or engagement/impact funding are not eligible to apply for this grant.

INELIGIBLE PROJECTS:

The following projects are ineligible for funding and will NOT be considered:

The applicant and project do not meet the above listed eligibility requirements.
Non-documentary projects.
Projects that meet our criteria, but have an incomplete application and/or are missing support materials.
Projects submitted after the submission deadline.
Projects that have already received production funds from SDF.

REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

REVIEW CRITERIA:

Project falls within the scope of SDF’s mission and values.
Primary team members have a strong connection to the story.
Proposal is well-researched and clearly presented.
Project has a feasible budget and fundraising plan.
Project Director and collaborators possess the skills necessary to successfully complete the project.
The applicant shows an understanding of their intended audience and how to reach them.
A completed application and all requested documents.
A fulfillment of eligibility requirements.

GRANT INFORMATION SESSIONS:

Info Session #1: July 31 @ 1PM ET – RSVP
Info Session #2: August 15 @ 4PM ET – RSVP

southerndocumentaryfund.org/programs/filmmaking-grants/

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screenwriting lab

Film Independent

DEADLINES / FEES:

Non-Member: August 28, 2023 / $65
Member: September 11, 2023 / $45

ELIGIBILITY:

HOW TO APPLY:

Applicants must submit the following materials for consideration:

A cover letter detailing what drew you to apply to the Screenwriting Lab and why this is the right time for you to participate in the program (500 words max)
One complete, feature-length screenplay
An artist statement explaining the genesis of the story, your creative vision and intentions for the film (750 words max)
A look book (optional)
A logline (35 words) and synopsis for the film
Bios of attached key cast and crew, if any – Attachments are not required for consideration
Project status and history, including any relevant development history, awards received or labs and/or markets attended with the project
A narrative directing sample, if you plan on directing the film with which you are applying

FAQ:

Screenwriting Lab is for writers only; other collaborators are not invited to participate.
Writing partners/teams are welcome to apply and need only submit one application.
We are open to filmmakers at any level of experience.
International applicants are eligible; the script must be translated into English for consideration.
Adaptations are eligible; the applicant must retain rights to the underlying material.
At this time, documentary, short film and television projects are not eligible to apply.
We will reconsider projects that have previously been submitted, provided the writer(s) can demonstrate progress on the project and/or professional development.
Filmmakers may apply to multiple Film Independent Artist Development programs and there is no requirement to have participated in any one program before another.

Please note: Each applicant must be the author of the script he/she submits.

THE FINE PRINT:

Beyond the application fee, there is no cost or tuition to participate in any of Film Independent’s Artist Development programs.

Applicants will be notified three to four weeks prior to the start of the program.

filmindependent.org/programs/artist-development/screenwriting-lab/

_____

TV PILOT COMPETITION

ScreenCraft

DEADLINES:

Regular - August 31, 2023
Final - September 30, 2023

MENTORS: We welcome Emmy-winning writer, creator, showrunner Damon Lindelof (WATCHMEN, THE LEFTOVERS, LOST) as our Grand Juror. Damon will meet with the grand prize winner of the program.

A Note To Entrants And Those Considering Entry During The WGA Strike:

At ScreenCraft, we stand in solidarity with the Writers Guild of America and its efforts to ensure fair compensation for writers.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER:

ScreenCraft's relationships include companies like Blumhouse, Netflix, HBO Max, AMC, and over 150 other Hollywood managers, agents, producers, and development executives.

ScreenCraft has a proven track record for getting writers signed with managers, agents, and staffed in writing rooms.

Personal Introduction to industry professionals
Accepted into the ScreenCraft Writer Development Program
$1,000 Cash
An exclusive invitation to a Finalist+ workshop to position yourself and your writing to the industry
Free 6-month membership to The Tracking Board

RUNNER-UP PRIZES:

Winner:

$500 cash award
Accepted into ScreenCraft Development Program
An exclusive invitation to a Finalist+ workshop to position yourself and your writing to the industry
Free 6-month membership to The Tracking Board

Finalists:

An exclusive invitation to a Finalist+ workshop to position yourself and your writing to the industry
Free 6-month membership to The Tracking Board

screencraft.org/pilot/

_____

FALL 2023 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

A Gathering Together Literary Journal

DEADLINE: September 1, 2023

INFO: A Gathering Together welcomes previously unpublished essays, short stories, poetry, reviews, visual art, and film. If you have other kinds of submissions in mind please let us know.

The journal is published bi-annually, with special features published between issues. Our deadline for submissions for our spring issue is March 1st and for our fall issue, September 1st.

Please take some time to review our content so that you can get a feel for what we would like to publish. The About Us page is also a great starting point for determining if your work is a good fit. As well, the essay, “Inauguration,” in which our founding editors frame what we are trying to accomplish with this space.

A Gathering Together is unable to compensate writers at this time.

All submissions will undergo a blind review. Please remove all identifying information from your submission–with the exception of the title page, which should include your name, a brief bio, and any other information you would like the editorial team to know. Please submit all text in .doc or .docx format, double spaced, size twelve font (unless your poetry or other creative submission requires otherwise). We welcome simultaneous submissions, but please let us know if your work has been accepted elsewhere during the process of reviewing.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Features are generally published January-March or July-September. Our interviews usually consist of a conversation with the artist whose work illustrates the immediately preceding issues, but we are interested in featuring projects, initiatives, and works of all kinds.

Artists: Artists who want to be featured in our upcoming issues are invited to send us a letter of interest, brief bio, and a sample portfolio. See additional guidelines below.

Interviews: Writers who want to conduct interviews are welcome to send us pitches letting us know how the interview and interviewee (artist, performer, community initiative, archive, etc.) would be a good fit for our journal.

GENERAL SUBMISSIONS:

Essays and Creative Nonfiction: Essays should address issues of relevance and import. We are looking primarily to use this space to engage ideas that are not normally considered in popular media or ways that they might be considered differently. If necessary, we encourage the use of either footnotes or hyperlinks. If you would like to skip these, please add a further reading list, so that our readers can engage your ideas in depth. We do not impose a word count, as long as there is a convergence between the idea and its proper elaboration.

Poetry: Poetry submissions should engage issues of enduring consequence. Please submit between three and five poems that reflect your style. We will choose up to three if we accept your work for publication. Submit all poems in one document using a page break between each poem.

Short Stories: The short story form continues to represent an important format for intellectual production. We seek compelling narratives that tell stories that rebel against master narratives of our existence be it by use of plot, narrative structure, characterization, or another device. Tell us a story we’ve never heard before, or an old one with an ending we’ve not yet dreamed.

Reviews: William Cooper Nell once wrote that “we must be a reading people.” A Gathering Together is above all a place guided by the written word. We are interested in books that may not have gotten the attention they deserved. Less concerned with engaging the “hot new book,” the reviews section will feature works that strike us as necessary reads, regardless of the date of publication. In addition to books, we offer space for reviews of music, independent film, museum exhibitions, and theater. We will accept both essay reviews and standard reviews. There is no word limit—so the same principles about length outlined in the guidelines for essays holds here.

Visual Art: There are limits to words. Art submissions must do the same kinds of work that we expect in other forms. We accept all kinds of submissions. Please ensure that whatever you submit is of publishable quality. Image resolution should be a minimum of 72dpi and the file should be no larger than 2MB. We prefer that they be submitted in .eps, .jpg, .tiff, or .png file formats.

Film: The moving image, too, is a striking way to articulate meaningful ideas. Films should be no longer than 30 minutes. If we decide to share your work, we will require you to upload it to a third-party site, such as Youtube or Vimeo, so that we can embed it on our site.

SUBMISSIONS PROTOCOL:

All submissions should be sent as attachments to submissions@agatheringtogether.com. In your email, please briefly indicate the nature of your submission and whether you would like it to be considered for our biannual issue or for a special feature.

agatheringtogether.com/how-to-submit/

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TV RETREAT & FELLOWSHIP

CineStory Foundation

DEADLINES & SUBMISSION FEES:

Regular Deadline: September 4, 2023 ($65)
Late Deadline – October 1, 2023 ($75)
Extended Late Deadline – November 5, 2023 ($85)
Final Deadline: December 3, 2023 ($90)

RETREAT DATES:

May 3 – 7, 2024

RETREAT FEE:

The retreat fee for the 2023 Feature Retreat is $2,200 for individual participants and $3,000 for teams (who participate in all retreat events as a team).

The retreat fee covers meals (a light breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and all retreat events, including informal sessions, one-on-one meetings, social gatherings (cocktail parties, etc.).

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Quarterfinalists – Late January
Semifinalists – Late February
Finalists – Mid March
Division Winners – Early April
Fellowship Winner – Mid April

TV DIVISIONS:

Original Drama – 1 hour series
Original Comedy – 30 minute series
Original Sci Fi/Fantasy – 1 hour series
Original Children/Family – 30 min series

Pilots only. For division details, please visit our TV Submissions page.

cinestory.org/retreat-fellowship-contests/tv-retreat-fellowship-contest/

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Writer-Driven Shorts

The Black List

DEADLINE: September 15, 2023

Scripts are not required to include scenes with vehicles.

These kinds of stories can include (but are certainly not limited to!):

Rom-coms about rival chefs in the slow food movement
Family comedies about a sustainable road trip
Satires about the cutthroat world of local composting organizations
An imagined biopic about a scientist who stops the polar ice caps from melting
Action movies with electric car chases

IMPORTANT DATES:
Long List Notified: October 16, 2023
Short List Notified: November 15, 2023
Filmmakers Announced: December 15, 2023

REQUIREMENTS:

You must post an original screenplay on www.blcklst.com and opt-in to the Program during the Submission Period. Ideally, you will have directed at least one short film previously.
You must agree to (1) these Submission Requirements, (2) all terms relating to the Program posted on Black List’s website, which you should review and read in full, and (3) the Submission Agreement, which governs the submission of your script to Company and Black List. The Submission Agreement includes important, legally binding terms and conditions, including arbitration of any disputes, which you must read in full before accepting.
If requested, you must submit by a date determined by Company the following materials, which are also governed by the Submission Agreement:

A professional resume and personal statement;
Samples, production plan, look book and short script; o Contact and other personal information; and
Executed originals of the Submission Agreement.

If selected by Company for the Program, as a condition of your participation, you must agree to Company’s terms of such participation, which shall include, without limitation:

The selected candidate will receive a $100,000 grant to produce a short film based on candidate's feature screenplay or other submitted material.
If the candidate does not deliver a completed short film on schedule or otherwise fails to meet their obligations, which will include but will not be limited to identifying and detailing a budget for the use of the grant in the production of the short film (which budget shall be subject to Company's approval), providing a timeline for production (which timeline shall be subject to Company’s approval), and clearing all rights necessary for Company to exploit the short film free and clear of all obligations to third parties, Company shall be entitled to a refund of the grant money.
Company will receive "Producer" mentions in the short films produced in connection with the Be Unstoppable Film Project Program, and Company's name and/or logo will be included in each short film and in promotional communications about each short film.
If selected for the Program, the candidate will grant to Company the necessary rights, permissions and authorizations for Company to use the candidate's name, likeness and the short film produced in connection with the Program (including but not limited to stills, key art, and clips therefrom) in Company advertising, marketing, and promotional material in all media.
All rights or benefits granted by the candidate to Company or services provided by the candidate in connection with the Program shall be non-union.
At Company's request, you may be required to enter into a more formal agreement with Company regarding your participation in this Program, provided that until such time as a more formal agreement is entered into, these Submission Requirements shall remain binding.

You must be at least 18 years of age and not a minor in the state or country of your residence at time of submission.
If the submitted materials written by a team consisting of one or more writers, (i) each member of that writing team must comply with these Submission Requirements, including agreeing to the Submission Agreement described below and (ii) all members of the writing team must opt-out of the Program if any other member becomes ineligible (including as a result of failing to timely agree to the Submission Agreement or failing to timely provide the materials listed above).
The submitted materials must be wholly original to you and you must be the sole owner of all rights. The submitted materials must not in any way infringe upon the copyright of any person or entity or, to the best of your knowledge in the exercise of reasonable prudence, constitute libel, defamation or invasion of privacy or any other rights of any third party. You understand and agree that Black List will share any information that you provide in connection with the Program with Company.

blcklst.com/programs/writerdriven-shorts-presented-by-the-black-list-x-the-gm-incubator-fund

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NICKELODEON WRITING PROGRAM

Nickelodeon Animation

DEADLINE: [Postponed - please check back for updates]

ELIGIBILITY / HOW TO APPLY:

You must be 18 years or older, and eligible to work in the United States to participate.
To apply, follow the link under the “Apply Online” section, fill out the application through our submission portal, and submit two scripts: One spec from our Accepted Shows List which gets updated every year (watch our social media channels for announcements), and one half-hour original comedy pilot.
If you have previously applied to the Program and were not selected, you are welcome and encouraged to apply again with a new spec script for each submission period.

APPLICATION DETAILS:

Kids’ Content (Audience Age 6-11) - This age group is Nickelodeon’s bread and butter. Most of Nickelodeon’s most iconic live-action and animated shows are developed for this demographic including SpongeBob SquarePants, Danger Force, and The Loud House.
Preschool Content (Audience Age 2-6) - The Preschool age group (including “bridge” content for tots moving into early elementary school age) loves to laugh and play along with their content. They’re smart, engaged, and always ready for new shows to watch like Paw Patrol, Ryan’s Mystery Playdate, and Baby Shark’s Big Show.
Preteen/Young Adult (Audience Age 11-17) - Nickelodeon shares its home in the Paramount Kids & Family Group with our partners at Awesomeness who cater to a tween and teen audience. We’ll partner with ATV and the creators of Nick’s shows for a slightly older audience like Side Hustle, Drama Club, and iCarly to make this experience the right one for you.

STEP 2 (Script Preparation) - All applicants must submit a SPEC SCRIPT and HALF HOUR ORIGINAL COMEDY PILOT that adhere to the following guidelines:

Must be based on a television series from the Accepted Shows List (spec only).
Typed in standard Final Draft (or equivalent) script format.
In black type, 12pt courier style font.
Do not upload a cover page with your script.

The following information should be included in the header/footer of your spec script on the first or all pages:

Name of the show (center of the header).
Title of the episode (center of the footer).
Filename should include only the name of your show and episode (Do not include your name or your submission will not be considered).
Do not put your name anywhere on the script, file, or file name.

THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED:

Please note: Submissions that do not adhere to these guidelines will not be considered.

STEP 3 (Accepted Shows 2023):

Abbott Elementary
Agent Elvis
American Auto
Awkwafina is Nora from Queens
Big Mouth
Bob Hearts Abishola
Bob’s Burgers
Call Me Kat
Ghosts
Girls5eva
Grand Crew
Harley Quinn
Home Economics
HouseBroken
How I Met Your Father
Human Resources
I Love That For You
Loot
Lopez vs. Lopez
Mythic Quest
Night Court (2023)
Our Flag Means Death

Party Down
Raven’s Home
Rick and Morty
Solar Opposites
Star Trek: Lower Decks
Tacoma FD
That ’90s Show
The Conners
The Great North
The Ms. Pat Show
The Neighborhood
The Other Two
The Wonder Years (2021)
This Fool
Unstable
We Are Lady Parts
Welcome to Flatch
What We Do in the Shadows
Young Rock
Young Sheldon

STEP 4 (Apply Online)

SUBMISSION MATERIALS TO INCLUDE:

Completed application questions – some of these are long, so start your application early.
One spec script in .pdf format (this applies to both individual writers and writing teams).
One original comedy pilot in .pdf format (this applies to both individual writers and writing teams).
One-page resume in .pdf format.
Completed and digitally signed Submission Release form and Schedule A for each script. These can be downloaded from the link above the document upload section.

COMPLETE YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION:

Beginning July 1st, you can start your application for the Nickelodeon Writing Program. Submissions must be uploaded before 11:59pm PT on August 1st.

All submission materials should be completed and uploaded to the Nickelodeon online submission platform Coverfly. All necessary forms can be downloaded via links embedded in the application.
Once in the platform, fill in the form with your “Project Info” about your spec from the Accepted Shows List.
Projects written by writing teams should only be submitted once. On the first page of the checkout form, writers will have the option to add one additional writer by clicking on the plus sign (+) next to the name fields.
Upload a .pdf of your spec script following the provided instructions. Leave off all identifiable information. At this stage, you will be asked to provide a few additional details about the script.
Choose the Program “Package” and “Add to Cart.”
Give us some “Additional Info” including your contact details, a signed Schedule A form, and a signed Release form (one for each member in the case of writing teams) for each script you submit (spec and pilot). Both forms can be downloaded from the link above the document upload section.
We’ll also need a resume in .pdf format. Please be sure to fill out all required fields and answer all questions or you will not be able to submit your application.
Finally, “Check Out” (at no cost) to complete your submission.
Don’t wait until the last minute! We advise that you give yourself at least two weeks prior to the August 1st deadline to complete your submission. No exceptions will be made for late submissions regardless of the circumstances.
If you are experiencing problems with the online application, please contact the technical support team at Coverfly by scrolling to the bottom of their site homepage and clicking “Contact.”

IMPORTANT DATES:

August 1 - Submission Period Closes
October 30 - Semi-Finalists Notified
November 15 - Finalists Notified
December 1 - Chosen Writers Notified

nickanimation.com/programs/writing-program/