CALL FOR DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILMS
Firelight Media
DEADLINE: February 2, 2026
INFO: Firelight Media invites emerging and mid-career underrepresented filmmakers living in and/or originating from the Appalachian Mountain region to submit works-in-progress for the fourth season of the award-winning, regionally-focused documentary short film series HOMEGROWN.
Selected filmmakers will receive up to $40k to produce an 8-to-15-minute nonfiction short. Filmmakers should approach their topic with a current, modern perspective — immersing audiences in the real, lived experience of the region. The filmmakers will work closely with Firelight Media from development through distribution.
Projects may vary in scope/approach, and address topics including (but not limited to):
Celebrations and joy
Climate change and environmental justice
Community portraits
Contemporary takes on unknown histories
Cultural changemakers
Education
Family
Healthcare & the body
Housing disparities
Land rights and reparative work
Local folklore
Migration and immigrant communities
Narratives on resilience or anti-resilience
New forms of resistance
Old and new economies
Shifting landscapes
Unique stories and occurrences
Unrecognized communities
Ideal candidates for the initiative are emerging and mid-career filmmakers committed to uncovering previously untold narratives rooted in their local community.
ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES:
Applicants can only pitch short-form nonfiction projects (8-15 minutes) that are in early to late production.
Applicants must include a pitch deck in their application.
Applicants must be from an underrepresented community.
Applicants must reside in or originate from the following states: Alabama (northern), Georgia (northern), Kentucky (eastern), Maryland (western), Mississippi (northern), New York (southern), North Carolina (western), Ohio (southern), Pennsylvania (western/central), South Carolina (northwestern), Tennessee (eastern), Virginia (southwestern), West Virginia. Refer to this map by county to see which parts of each state are considered part of Appalachia.
Applicants must be able to complete the project by September 30, 2026, and be available for distribution and promotion engagements through 2027.
Applicants must hold artistic, budgetary, and editorial control over the project and own the copyright.
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 staff and its partners.
Only one proposal may be submitted per applicant.
PROJECTS NOT ELIGIBLE:
Feature documentaries, series, or fiction projects
Projects in pre-production or completed films
Projects that are student films or are related to coursework
Projects or production entities that are owned, controlled, or based outside the United States.
Branded content or promotional projects
Filmmakers contracted with another Firelight Media or Films program and have not completed final deliverables by the time they are selected for this program
Filmmakers employed by Firelight Media, Firelight Films, or who are members of the board of directors for any of these entities
firelightmedia.submittable.com/submit
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EPISODIC LAB
Film Independent
DEADLINE: February 2, 2026
APPLICATION FEE:
FREE for Filmmaker Pro Members (limited to one waived fee per Membership year)
$45 for Film Independent Members
$65 for non-Members
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 August. 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.
ALFRED P. SLOAN EPISODIC LAB GRANT:
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 screenplay 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:
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
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 $105.
Applicants will be notified three to four weeks prior to the start of the program.
For more information, please email: artistdevelopment@filmindependent.org.
filmindependent.org/programs/artist-development/episodic-lab/
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CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: CSP Artist Collective
Conchshell Productions
DEADLINE: February 3, 2026
INFO: Conchshell Productions is currently accepting submissions from playwrights and screenwriters of Caribbean heritage interested in joining the CSP Artist Collective—a free, supportive space for writers at all stages.
This is a free, monthly affinity space where writers:
Share pages from works in progress
Receive constructive feedback
Build community with writers across the U.S. and beyond
Develop new plays and screenplays in a safe, affirming space
MEETING SCHEDULE:
The collective meets on the first Sunday of every month, 4:30–7:30 PM (ET).
Our co-resident dramaturgs provide written feedback on pages presented during each session.
Membership is free.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf7wfKmkLFz55OzC66wFTcPZe8WyGBZDy4tF6D2O_dsaX7xrw/viewform
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RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT GRANT
Chicken & Egg Films
DEADLINE: February 4, 2026 at 11:59pm EST
INFO: Now in its fourth year, the 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.
With continued grant-making support by Netflix, the 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 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 have separated the Research Grant from the Development Grant to allow early-stage projects to receive support without the need to submit all the deliverables required for projects in the development phase.
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 2026 Chicken & Egg Films Research & Development Grant is generously supported by Netflix.
ELIGIBILITY:
You may only submit one application per cycle. If you have more than one eligible project, you must submit only one for consideration. You may apply for either the Research Grant or Development Grant, but not both.
Applicant Eligibility Filmmakers must meet the following criteria:
Identify as a woman or gender-expansive filmmaker.
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). Please refer to our gender expansion page for more information.
Have directed at least one feature-length documentary, which is defined as an independently produced film that is at least 48 minutes in length.
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 at the time of applying has a confirmed world premiere at a festival taking place before the end of May - in short the film must have premiered before final selections are made.
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 creative control.
Feature-length narrative work is not eligible to be considered as prior work for this application.
Be based anywhere in the world, except for countries which are under comprehensive US sanctions. Further information about US sanctions can be found here.
Project Eligibility Projects must meet the following criteria:
Must be a documentary or nonfiction film (including hybrid docs)
Our evolving definition of a hybrid documentary is a film that incorporates fictional or scripted elements as a formal device in which it is clear to the viewer which elements are fiction and which are not. The incorporation of fictionalized elements is used as a way to further explore the main themes of the film or even question the nature of ‘fact’ and ‘reality’. Externally the finished film should be intended to be programmed and characterized in the press as documentary or hybrid documentary film, and not as a narrative/fiction film. We do not consider narrative memoir, speculative fiction, or docudramas (dramas that are based on a true story) as hybrid documentaries.
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. (Refer to the section Project Stage: Research vs. Development in the Program and Application Guide 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.
Notes for repeat applicants: You can reapply with a project up to 3 times. If this is your third time submitting to the R&D grant with the same project, this is the final time it will be considered. Applications submitted more than three times will be disqualified.
You cannot apply for an R&D grant and our (Egg)celerator Lab program with the same project in the same year. You may, however, apply to the (Egg)celerator Lab with the same film project if you applied for R&D in the previous year, as long as the project and applicant meet all other eligibility requirements. See the FAQs for guidance filmmakers who have received prior support from Chicken & Egg Films.
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. If granted, we can help advise on this. We require prompt response upon communication of results. If granted, there is a 12-week period following notification in which you must secure a fiscal sponsor, and the grant must be disbursed within 2026.
For more information on eligibility, please download this Program & Application Guide and review the FAQs.
chickeneggfilms.org/programs/research-and-development-grant
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Below-the-Line Fellowship
Latino Film Institute
DEADLINE: February 6, 2026 at 11:59pm PT
INFO: The Latino Film Institute Below-the-Line Fellowship provides hands-on training, mentorship, and job placement for Latino and underrepresented creatives pursuing technical careers in film and television. Participants receive practical instruction and on-set experience in key below-the-line positions guided by industry professionals. The fellowship equips emerging filmmakers with the skills, experience, and connections needed to enter and thrive in the entertainment workforce.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
Must be at least a High School graduate
18 years and older by February 6th 2026
1-2 years of filmmaking experience (classes, shorts, PA work, etc.)
Available for hybrid + in-person participation February to July 2026
Must agree to report career updates to LFI when requested, for up to 5 years
Authorized to work in the U.S.
latinofilm.org/lfi-below-the-line-fellowship/
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call for applications: Fall 2026 / Winter 2027 residencies
MacDowell
DEADLINE: February 10, 2026
INFO: MacDowell offers residencies at no cost to artists and provides need-based stipends to help cover expenses incurred during the residency, including rent, utilities, childcare, and lost income. Travel reimbursements are also available.
We welcome applications from artists of all backgrounds and nationalities in the following disciplines: architecture, film/video arts, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theatre, and visual arts.
macdowell.org/apply/apply-for-fellowship
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call for submissions
American Black Film Festival
DEADLINE: February 10, 2026
SUBMISSION FEE: $75 (Standard) / $67.50 (Gold Members)
INFO: The American Black Film Festival (ABFF), founded in 1997, is the preeminent event of its kind, empowering Black artists and celebrating storytelling by and about people of African descent. More than a film and television festival, ABFF is a vibrant, multifaceted showcase of culture, spanning sports, fine art, music, business & entrepreneurship, health & wellness, technology, and more.
In 2026, ABFF commemorates its milestone 30th anniversary under the powerful theme Homecoming—a tribute to the festival’s rich legacy and the global community it has united over three decades.
Join us in Miami Beach, May 27–31, 2026, for this historic celebration, as filmmakers, artists, executives, and fans from around the world come together for five unforgettable days of screenings, star-studded events, engaging conversations, exclusive parties, and unparalleled networking.
Be part of this once-in-a-generation celebration of culture, community, and creativity. Register now!
AWARDS + PRIZES:
Jury Awards:
HBO® Short Film Award
Best Narrative Feature
Best Director
Best Documentary Feature
Best Series (Television or Web)
John Singleton Award for Best Debut Feature
RULES + TERMS:
Eligibility criteria is found listed under each category and on https://www.abff.com/miami/submissions/
In addition to completing the official forms, please ensure your submission includes the following materials:
Film synopsis and information
Photo still from the film
Director & Writer bio
Director & Writer headshot
A PDF of your completed Submission Form, available for download at ABFF.com. Please ensure all fields are filled out before submitting.
Payment of the submission fee online is required at the time of submission.
filmfreeway.com/AmericanBlackFilmFestival
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New Voices Filmmaker Grant
NewFest
DEADLINE: February 12, 2026
INFO: An ongoing initiative in partnership with Netflix to support emerging directors with $25,000 in funding to create new work that celebrates LGBTQ+ stories and perspectives – in addition to 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 directors who make documentary/nonfiction, narrative, and/or animated film/episodic projects that highlight LGBTQ+ stories.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
At the time of application, eligible filmmakers:
Are at least 18 years of age.
Currently live in the US, have resided in the US continuously for at least the past two years, and plan to reside in the US for the full duration of the grant period (through June 2027).
Have previously directed at least one (1) short film or episodic project inclusive of LGBTQ+ content that was completed within the past 3 years (since January 2023).
Have not previously directed a completed feature-length film (over 60 mins), even if self-funded or without distribution.
Must not have formal representation for directorial work (i.e. are not currently signed with an agent and/or manager).
Must not have entered a distribution deal for any of their directorial work in which they both received monetary compensation and granted exclusive North American distribution rights to a third-party distributor.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES:
All applications must be received via the Airtable application form and include:
Resume/CV
Links to 1-3 completed work samples(totaling no more than 25 minutes).
The first work sample must be a short film or episodic project that (1) includes LGBTQ+ content and (2) was completed within the past 3 years (completed in January 2023 or later).
Any additional work samples must have been completed within the past five years (completed no earlier than January 2021).
Artist Statement (max 600 words): Tell us about yourself and your directorial vision. Please provide a statement that includes your (1) background and connection to the LGBTQ+ community, (2) reflections on your previous experience(s) directing and/or working on additional film/media projects, and (3) your artistic approach to LGBTQ+ storytelling.
Statement of Intent (max 400 words): What are your goals as a filmmaker, and what would you plan to do with the grant funds should you be selected as a recipient? Please describe what specific project(s) that include LGBTQ+ content you would pursue with grant support and what you hope to accomplish within the grant period (July 2026-June 2027).
newfest.org/new-voices-filmmaker-grant
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2026 SUNDANCE INSTITUTE IGNITE X ADOBE FELLOWSHIP
The Sundance Institute / Adobe
DEADLINE: February 12, 2026 at 11:00am PST
INFO: The Sundance Institute and Adobe are teaming up to find the next 10 Sundance Institute 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 Institute 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 Institute Ignite x Adobe Fellowship is open to emerging documentary and fiction filmmakers from across the globe between ages 18 and 25. The fellowship begins with a weeklong in-person lab at MassMoca in North Adams, Massachusetts, orienting filmmakers to the fellowship and year ahead. Throughout the year, filmmakers will:
Work with a Sundance Institute alumni mentor
Receive a $5,000 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. You can also catch a free recording of our Insider Session: Applying to the Sundance Institute Ignite Program through the submission deadline.
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 12, 2026.
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/2026-Sundance-Institute-Ignite-Adobe-Fellowship
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CLBS Indigenous Writer in Residence program
Cranberry Lake Biological Station
DEADLINE: February 15, 2026
APPLICATION FEE: $0
INFO: The CLBS Indigenous Writer in Residence program began in 2022. Its creation was spurred by the work of Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer who has and continues to draw inspiration from and write at Cranberry Lake Biological Station. The residency seeks to provide Indigenous writers with the space, time, and place to explore their creative endeavors.
THE RESIDENCY:
Cranberry Lake Biological Station is located in the heart of the Adirondack Park, on the ancestral lands of the Mohawk Nation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and has been in use as a living classroom for 105 years. CLBS provides seclusion for research, teaching, contemplation, and creative endeavors.
The residency consists of three, three-week residency slots are: May 24– June 12, June 14 – July 3, July 19- August 7. Housing, a private room with shared living space, three meals a day are provided at the station dining hall, and a workspace will be provided. The resident will also have access to all facilities including canoes, classroom spaces, microscopes, and the ability to join classes if desired. Additional needs and requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
ELIGIBILITY: The residency is open to Indigenous writers over 21 years of age who write poetry, plays/screenplays, fiction/short stories, and/or nonfiction.
FUNDING: The residency is fully subsidized and provides housing, food, and workspace space at no cost. In addition, the selected artist will receive a stipend/travel allowance of $1,000.
EXPECTATIONS: It is expected that each resident will offer two evening readings/discussion during the residency, one for students at the station and one for local residents, these programs will be planned in conjunction with CLBS staff. In the fall writers are asked to participate either virtually or in person in an event on the SUNY ESF main campus in Syracuse, NY alongside the other residents. Past residents are also asked to serve on the selection committee for the next year.
SUPPORT: The residency is funded jointly by the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment and Cranberry Lake Biological Station
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call for submissions: spring 2026 Issue
Raat Ki Rani
DEADLINE: February 15, 2026
SUBMISSION FEE: $0
INFO: Raat Ki Rani publishes poetry, short stories, personal essays, screenplays, photography, and experimental work. We aim to uplift South Asian voices, queer voices, female voices, and voices from other marginalized communities, while remaining open to all writers and artists.
SPRING 2026 THEME: Pressed Petals (open to interpretation)
SUBMISSION:
We accept original, unpublished work. If your piece has appeared on a personal blog or a social page, that is completely fine. We simply ask that it has not been formally published elsewhere.
You are welcome to submit to multiple categories, but please only submit once per category.
Poetry: 1–2 poems, max 5 pages total
Screenplay: Short film or mini-series pilot, max 15 pages
Short Story: 500–2,500 words
Personal Essay: 500–1,500 words + 3–5 images
Photography: 4–10 images + 200–500 word summary and/or 1-2 sentence captions
Other: We're open to new categories! Do you have a comic you've been working on? A completed short film you'd like to share? Do you have a scrapbook the world needs to see? You're welcome to submit!
RIGHTS: Once we publish your work, all rights remain with you. You are free to share or republish it anywhere else at any time.
PAYMENT: We are a reader-funded magazine offering $10 per accepted submission. As we grow, we hope to increase our rates. If your piece is selected for publication, we will contact you to arrange payment via your preferred method.
DONATE: Raat Ki Rani is fueled by community support. If you'd like to help us keep the magazine blooming, you can make an optional donation below. Thank you for supporting independent art!
EXPECTED RESPONSE TIME: 4-6 weeks
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9PrDym5qWhx9CS65FEszeE2u2VK1ORlc5PBHIubYSjEJZQQ/viewform
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NATIVE AMERICAN TV WRITERS LAB
Native American Media Alliance
DEADLINE: February 16, 2026
INFO: The NATIVE AMERICAN TV WRITERS LAB is an intensive scriptwriters workshop that prepares Native Americans for writing careers at major television networks.
The NATIVE AMERICAN TV WRITERS LAB was created in accordance with the Skins Fest’s mission to improve media portrayals of Native Americans and to increase the number of Native Americans employed in all facets of the media industry. It is widely understood that non-Native Americans primarily learn about our community from what they see on television.
The NATIVE AMERICAN TV WRITERS LAB is designed to familiarize participants with the format, characters and storyline structure of television. A total of 8 writers are accepted nationwide from an established network of non-profit agencies, schools, universities, guilds and media organizations. The goal is that the writers garner the skills necessary to obtain employment in the industry.
The five-week lab consists of panel discussions, one on one meetings and group workshops. One of the main components to be introduced is the writers room. This is an opportunity to have each participant’s script offered up in a professional capacity as a new television script.
The NATIVE AMERICAN TV WRITERS LAB is for seasoned Native American writers who have written feature, short or television scripts. Each selected participant is expected to complete a draft of a pilot script by the end of the five-week session.
nama.media/native-american-tv-writers-lab/
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Open Call for eearly career artists
The Shed (New York, NY)
DEADLINE: February 24, 2026 at 11:59pm EST
INFO: Born out of The Shed’s commitment to act as a platform for NYC-based, early-career artists working in a range of artistic disciplines, Open Call selects, fosters, and presents new work. The program showcases a wide, multiborough range of voices, lived experiences, and perspectives, demonstrating the multitude of ways in which artists are working today.
It embraces proposals for new works in disciplines including the visual arts, theater, dance, music, performance, spoken word, literary arts, film, fashion, art and technology, new media, social practice, and public art and architecture, as well as across multiple and new disciplines. As with all Shed civic programs, we center Black, POC, people with disabilities, and other communities that have been historically excluded and most impacted by structural racism and other forms of oppression.
Participants for Open Call's fifth edition will be selected in fall 2026. Projects will be reviewed in spring/summer 2026 by more than 60 independent leaders across artistic fields, including artists, cultural programmers, curators, producers, academics, and members of The Shed’s program team. The Shed will support selected projects with a commissioning fee of up to $15,000 of producing stewardship per artist or collective as well as in-kind financial, artistic, and production support managed by The Shed.
ELIGIBILITY:
Open Call accepts applications from artists who are:
Early-career artists and art collectives
18+ years old
Currently living or working in New York City
Able to provide a W9 for payment
With or without a traditional arts degree and/or training
Working in a range of artistic disciplines, including the visual arts, theater, dance, music, performance, spoken word, literary arts, film, fashion, art and technology, new media, social practice, and public art and architecture, as well as across multiple and new disciplines
FAQs
Who is considered an “early-career” artist?
For The Shed, an early-career artist is one who has not yet received major support to create new work. We define major support as a range of opportunities, from the receipt of substantial institutional funding to presenting and/or producing opportunities at large-scale cultural organizations. There is no age limitation.
Do I have to live in New York City to apply? What if I work in New York City but live somewhere else?
If you do not live in one of the five boroughs of New York City, but you work predominantly in New York City, your application will be considered. You will be asked to provide a New York City working address in your application.
If work has been shown elsewhere, can it be considered a new commission?
Some projects may have been shown in the past, for example in school, a work-in-progress showing, or included in a public program like a reading or workshop. In the Submittable application, you will be prompted to explain how your project would transform in The Shed’s presentation and how your proposed work or any its components have been shared in the past in any form.
We are looking for new work but understand that each artist has different development processes, with moments of public showing and feedback as part of them.
theshed.org/program/485-open-call-applications
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LFI Works in Progress - 2026
Latino Film Institute
DEADLINE: February 25, 2026 at 11:59pm PST
INFO: LFI Works in Progress, sponsored by Amazon MGM Studios, supports independent US based filmmakers in the completion of a feature film (fiction or documentary). The program grants finishing funds towards the final stages of post-production to films with high production value, a distinctive directorial voice, culturally significant and commercially viable.
The fund allocates a cash award to the projects selected. 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 (directors or producers) 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 or production companies.
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, marketing, etc).
Projects must be independently produced.
Projects must be feature length (minimum 70 min), fiction or documentary.
Selected projects commit to completion within a year from fund allocation.
If the allocated funds are not enough to cover the full cost of finishing the project, the grant will be released upon submission of proof of the remainder funding.
Student films or TV/Web pilots are not eligible.
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Keep in mind that if your project is selected:
The funds CAN be used for:
Costs associated with color correction and final grading.
Costs associated with sound completion (including soundtrack).
Costs associated with VFX, master outputs and deliverables.
Costs associated with marketing packages.
The 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.
Retrospective costs (already endured by the film).
If you have any questions about the LFI Works in Progress email steven@latinofilm.org.
laliff.org/lfi-works-in-progress/
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THE DIVERSO FELLOWSHIP
DIVERSO
DEADLINE: February 20, 2026
INFO: DIVERSO is a student-run film nonprofit dedicated to changing the face of entertainment by empowering the next generation of storytellers.
In partnership with THE WRITERS GUILD FOUNDATION, we have created The Diverso Fellowship: a fellowship program for statistically overlooked student screenwriters.
Vetted by a rigorous committee of industry professionals, three talented students will be selected to spend ten weeks over the summer of 2026, attending panels with renowned industry professionals, learning from the best by shadowing writers' rooms, and receiving mentorship to refine their scripts and prepare for professional opportunities, including staffing or representation.
Fellows are expected to make a 20-hour commitment each week and are required to attend all Fellowship events, including educational panels, mentor meetings, script workshops, and more. The fellowship will be hosted virtually over the summer (tentatively set for June 15th - August 24th).
Our program is made possible by our incredible sponsors: WarnerBros Discovery, Madison Wells Media, Lin Manuel-Miranda’s Miranda Family Fund, the Writers Guild Foundation, and more.
Please follow us on social media @diversoorg to stay tuned for specific dates and times!
AWARDS + PRIZES:
Last Season's Benefits Included:
1. Industry Mentorship:
Each Fellow is paired with a working industry mentor for the duration of the Fellowship. Scripts undergo multiple revisions, with each draft receiving structured feedback through one-on-one mentorship and cohort workshops led by the Diverso team.
*Previous mentors include: Joe Robert Cole (BLACK PANTHER), Charise Castro Smith (ENCANTO), Nahnatchka Khan (FRESH OFF THE BOAT), Andrew Ahn (FIRE ISLAND), Geetika Lizardi (BRIDGERTON), Alex Song-Xia (RICK & MORTY, THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON)
2. Salon Night:
The Fellowship culminates in a curated pitch salon where Fellows present their scripts to alumni and industry professionals. Past attendees have included executives and representatives from Blumhouse, Pixar, 360 Entertainment, UTA, and more.
3. Panels:
Writing Across Mediums - Dominique Morisseau (SHAMELESS)
360 Entertainment Panel on Finding Representation - Melissa Breaux (Manager, Producer, 360) & Sam Sekoff (TV Lit Manager/Agent, 360, Range Media Partners, Gersh)
The Art of Pitching - Carole Kirschner (Director, CBS Writing Program & WGA Showrunner Training Program)
Animation In 2025 - Mike Jones (SOUL, LUCA, ELIO) and Brenda Hsueh (ELEMENTAL)
Building a Long Term Writing Career - Simon Racioppa (INVINCIBLE)
4. Shadowing Writer's Rooms.
Fellows gain firsthand exposure to professional writers’ rooms. Most recently, the cohort shadowed two sessions of Brilliant Minds through a partnership with Berlanti Productions.
*Past shows have been from Disney+, AppleTV+, and The CW
5. Access to a network where you will build lifelong relationships with like-minded peers and alumni.
RULES + TERMS:
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 statistically overlooked writers currently enrolled in a community college or university as an UNDERGRADUATE or GRADUATE student (Winter' 25 Graduates are eligible).
For eligibility and submissions information, please scroll down and read the
filmfreeway.com/diversofellowship
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INDIE TV PILOT COMPETITION & SHOWCASE
ATX TV Festival
FEE: $65 per pilot/submission
INFO: ATX TV Festival is accepting open submissions for independently-produced TV pilots. After 14 Seasons, having established an influential audience gathering together to celebrate reunions, current and premiere series from your favorite studios, networks and streamers – this will be the first opportunity for independent TV to screen to our unique community of TV industry, press and consumers.
The competition will give fully-produced, independent TV pilots an opportunity to be considered for the festival’s Indie TV Pilot Showcase hosted at ATX TV Festival Season 15 (May 28 - 31, 2026) in Austin, where one submission will be selected as “Best Indie TV Pilot.”
Creators (writers, directors, producers, etc.) may submit completed Pilot episodes between 20 -65 minutes in length, across all genres (scripted and unscripted). Additional selection details can be found below, and on the Competition’s official Film Freeway submission page.
From the submitted episodes, three (3) will be selected by the ATX TV Programming team to screen at the festival, where a panel of industry creative/executive judges will select one (1) winner to be announced during the Festival.
SUBMISSION DETAILS:
Open to creators 18+ worldwide.
Pilot must be fully produced, and between 20–65 min.
Must be original work; you must own or have negotiated festival rights for exhibition.
Multiple submissions allowed. Each pilot must be submitted separately.
To inquire about submission fee waivers, please reach out to indietv@atxfestival.com.
KEY DATES:
APRIL 16, 2026 - Finalists Announced
MAY 28 - 31, 2026 - Festival Screening at ATX TV Festival, Season 15 (exact day/time to be announced at a later date)
PRIZES:
Three (3) Official Pilot Selections
• Invited to screen at ATX TV Festival, Season 15 (May 28 - 31, 2026 in Austin, TX) as part of official Indie TV Showcase
•One (1) Official Winner from Selections:
• Best Indie TV Pilot Award
JUDGING CRITERIA:
Writing & Storytelling
Directing & Visual Style
Marketability & Industry Potential
Innovation & Risk-Taking
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The de Groot Visiting Fellowship
American Library in Paris
DEADLINE: March 1, 2026
APPLICATION FEE: €30 (approx USD$35)
INFO: The de Groot Visiting Fellowship Program at the American Library in Paris supports writers, thinkers, and scholars across disciplines who advance dialogue, creativity, and cross-cultural understanding.
Established in 2013, the Fellowship extends the Library’s long tradition of fostering transatlantic exchange and creative expression. Each year, two Visiting Fellows and three Scholars of Note pursue their projects in Paris while contributing to the Library’s cultural life through public talks and workshops. Over the past decade, Fellows have enriched the Library’s century-old legacy and, in turn, joined the generations of writers who have found a home in Paris.
In addition to working on their own project, Fellows present a public program during their residency that engages our audience and members around the central theme of Letters Home.
For more than a decade, the de Groot family and the American Library in Paris have supported forty-four writers through a residency in the heart of literary Paris. Fellows include journalists, novelists, poets, and librarians whose work and influence have only grown since their time with us. Many describe their residency as a turning point in their creative lives and careers.
THEME: The theme for 2026-2027 is Letters Home. This theme explores the love language of letters and the many voices who write about home from far away, whether home is a place, a person, or a time. Letters Home encourages Fellows to explore different perspectives—nostalgic, questioning, tender, critical—in the return through ink and imagination to places left behind. Programs could be around topics such as the changing meaning of “home,” literary letters and the creative force of nostalgia, exile and the epistolary voice, or the politics of correspondence.
FELLOWSHIP DETAILS:
Residency Period: One month, between September and June. Fellowships are not available in July or August due to the Library’s programming hiatus.
Stipend: $5,000 USD paid prior to the Fellowship period to cover travel and expenses in Paris.
Accommodation: Whenever possible, the fellowship provides accommodation for the duration of the Fellowship in a one-bedroom apartment located a 10-minute walk from the Library. Otherwise, Fellows may use their stipend to cover alternative accommodation.
Eligibility: Open to writers, researchers, journalists, poets, screenwriters, playwrights, directors, and documentary filmmakers. International applicants are welcome.
Please note, applicants cannot be enrolled in a degree-seeking program (including doctoral candidates) during the residency season for which they are applying.
THE FELLOWSHIP INCLUDES:
An orientation day that includes meeting Library staff, a guided tour of the collections and archives, and lunch.
A Library membership with full access to the Library’s collections, archives, and e-resources.
A commitment to spend at least three half-days per week in the Library during the residency working on your personal creative project.
Dedicated time and space to work independently on a self-guided creative project.
The opportunity to develop and deliver a one-hour public program tied to the Library’s programming theme. This program could be a talk, workshop, panel, performance, or other creative format.
Opportunities to attend fundraising dinners, cocktail gatherings, or exclusive events as a representative of the Fellowship.
Participation in filming promotional material for the Library and your Fellowship experience.
A final exit interview to share feedback and insights about the Fellowship experience.
An expectation to acknowledge the Library and Fellowshipin any publications or media resulting from the project.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications for The de Groot Visiting Fellowship require:
A single PDF file (maximum 5 pages) containing:
A one-page cover letter addressing your work, your reasons for applying to the de Groot Visiting Fellowship at the American Library in Paris specifically, and why this moment in your career is the right one.
A one-page narrative description of your personal creative project, including its timeline, current stage, what you hope to achieve, and how the Fellowship at the Library will contribute to its success.
A CV of no more than two pages.
Three brief proposals (maximum 50 words each) for a public program tied to Letters Home.
Two professional references (names and contact information).
A €30 non-refundable application fee.
degrootfoundation.org/de-groot-visiting-fellowship-american-library-in-paris/
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HBCU Sports Broadcasting Grant
National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences / Coca-Cola
DEADLINE: March 2, 2026
INFO: The Coca-Cola HBCU Sports Broadcasting Grant is a $40,000 grant program celebrating outstanding student storytellers at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) who are passionate about sports, storytelling and media production.
This initiative is administered by the Foundation of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) — the organization behind the Emmy® Awards — and honors the next generation of sports media creators who bring to life the voices, pride and impact of HBCU athletics.
TOTAL GRANT POOL: $40,000 to be awarded to one, two or three winning entries depending on the scores..
ELIGIBILITY:
To qualify:
You must be an undergraduate student enrolled at an HBCU.
You may enter individually or as part of a student team.
Multiple submissions from the same school are welcome.
You do not need to be a journalism or media major — this competition is open to all storytellers who want to explore the power of sports.
Entries that do not meet these eligibility requirements will not be considered.
WHAT TO SUBMIT:
Each entry must include two components:
A video submission
A short essay