Fund Your Film

SFFILM Sloan Stories of Science Development Fund

Overview

The SFFILM Sloan Stories of Science Development Fund is funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation as part of their mission to champion films that explore scientific or technological themes. SFFILM will award grants to filmmakers in the early stages of writing screenplays inspired by articles from the Stories of Science Sourcebook.

The Stories of Science Sourcebook is composed of compelling reported stories and recent scientific discoveries. In the Articles section, the ten stories come from outlets such as Wired magazine, the Verge, and the New Yorker, and range from a portrait of a marine biologist who risks everything to capture a giant squid to the story of a woman who, when her best friend dies, rebuilds him using artificial intelligence. Each article is available for option, with rights holders open to pitches from filmmakers with a powerful vision for bringing a given story to the screen in narrative form.

Alongside presenting these articles, SFFILM is also introducing a list of ten momentous scientific and technological Discoveries made in 2018 as a source of inspiration to filmmakers interested in telling fictionalized stories about the scientists who made those discoveries or explore the impact of these breakthroughs on members of the broader public.

Filmmakers may take creative latitude when proposing adaptations of these stories, however, their proposals must be grounded in both the material and a commitment to portraying the science or technology at the center of the stories in a manner that is realistic and grounded in scientific research.

Winning applicants to the Stories of Science Development Fund who draw their inspiration from the articles and discoveries collected in the Stories of Science Sourcebook will receive a $10,000 cash grant and participate in a two-day filmmaker retreat, during which they will receive guidance and mentorship from scientists, science and tech journalists, and film industry professionals to help them shape their storytelling vision. For applicants seeking specifically to option the stories from one of the ten main articles in the library, special guidance will be provided on pitching their vision to the author who holds the rights to the story they wish to tell.

Browse the Stories of Science Sourcebook Articles here.

Browse the Stories of Science Sourcebook Discoveries here.

Evaluation Criteria

Applicant Criteria

Applicant may not be an SFFILM or Sloan employee or a member of any SFFILM or Sloan boards.
Applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Filmmaker, or any other applicant or co-applicant must become a SFFILM member at the Filmmaker level or above prior to SFFILM releasing funds from the Grant.
Primary applicant must be the writer of the film.

Project Criteria

Project must be inspired by an article or breakthrough in the Science in Cinema Sourcebook.
Project must be feature length.
Project must be a narrative/fiction film.
Project must be consistent with SFFILM’s mission and represent an imaginative contribution to the moving image art form.
There must be realistic scientific or technological content at the center of the screenplay.

Application Criteria

Filmmaker clearly articulates the scientific or technological ideas in their screenplay and the ways in which this story would expand the public understanding of science.
Filmmaker demonstrates a compelling vision for how the story they select would translate to a feature film.
Applicant directly answers all questions on the application and does not go over the word count. Applications that go over the word count will be considered ineligible.

Grantee Responsibilities

Financial Stipulations

Funds must be used towards an option agreement and/or living expenses.
Transportation to and from the residency is the responsibility of the fellow.
Filmmaker will sign an agreement with SFFILM.
Filmmaker understands there will be a press release announcing chosen fellows. Unless otherwise specified during the approval process, the submitted bio and logline will be used in the press release.
Filmmaker agrees to submit a progress report detailing how the funds were spent alongside a new writing sample.
Supported filmmakers shall provide acknowledgment to SFFILM and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. SFFILM and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation are to be listed with other comparable funders with language that mirrors or is similar to: “Made with support from SFFILM and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.”

Additional Notes

Only one application per project will be accepted.
The Sloan Stories of Science Development Fund is open internationally. If selected to participate in the 2-day retreat in San Francisco, international flights will not be able to be covered in full but a travel stipend will be provided for a portion of the travel costs.
While we encourage filmmakers to apply to the San Francisco International Film Festival, winning a fellowship from SFFILM does not guarantee acceptance into that festival.

How to Apply

To begin the application process, navigate to the Application page to review the required items for submission. Prepare your answers ahead of time in a separate document before submitting in case there are any problems with your submission. Leave time for technical issues, and please do not wait until the last minute to submit your application.

If you are a member of SFFILM, your application fee is waived. If you are not a member ofSFFILM, there is an application fee that must be paid in order for your submission to be considered. To pay the application fee, enter your credit card information at the end of the application before submitting. Email support@sffilm.org if you have any technical questions.

Here is a sample of the questions and prompts you will find in the online application:

Bio. (200 words or less)
Logline. In a couple of sentences, please describe the crux of your film. (75 words or less)
Project synopsis. (300 words or less)
Anticipated total film budget
Brief description of the scientific or technological ideas you are exploring through this story (300 words or less)
In what ways could this story expand the public understanding of science or technology? (300 words or less)
What scientific or artistic guidance and research would you seek out to write this screenplay? (300 words or less)

Additional required application materials include:

A one-page treatment. This should give us a clear sense of the beginning, middle and end of the story, as well as your central characters.
A one-page writer’s statement. Please describe your vision for this project. What drew you to this material or story? What themes are most compelling to you? How do you imagine the characters, tone and visual style manifesting in the script?
A previous work sample, with explanation. Either a ten-page writing sample of five-minute visual sample. For visual materials, the primary applicant must have been the screenwriter.

Review Panel

SFFILM will convene panels to evaluate applications and award fellowships at its sole discretion. The review panel to decide the winners is comprised of panelists that are producers, filmmakers, industry professionals, science advisors, and qualified SFFILM staff amongst others. Winners will be announced in a press release and on the SFFILM website.

Sloan Science in Cinema Filmmaker Fellowship

Overview

The Science in Cinema Filmmaker Fellowship is funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation as part of their mission to champion films that explore scientific or technological themes or characters. SFFILM will award fellowships to filmmakers in the screenwriting phase of developing a screenplay that tells a story related to science or technology.

Winners of the Sloan Science in Cinema Filmmaker Fellowship will receive a $35,000 cash grant and a two-month residency at FilmHouse, SFFILM’s suite of production offices for local and visiting independent filmmakers. The residency program provides filmmakers with artistic guidance, office space, a vibrant creative community, and mentorship from established filmmakers and members of the independent film industry. To strengthen the film’s portrayal of science or technology, each fellow will be connected to a science advisor with expertise in the subjects at the center of their screenplays, as well as leaders in the Bay Area’s science and technology communities.

Evaluation Criteria

Applicant Criteria

Applicant may not be an SFFILM or Sloan employee or member of any SFFILM or Sloan boards.
Applicant must be at least 18 years old
All grant recipients and co-applicants must become SFFILM members at the Film Fan level or above prior to SFFILM distributing funds to the project.
Primary applicant must be in a key creative role for the film: screenwriter, director, or producer.

Project Criteria

Project must be feature length.
Project cannot be a work for hire.
Project must be consistent with SFFILM’s mission and represent an imaginative contribution to the moving image art form
There must be realistic scientific or technological content at the center of the screenplay.
Writers must have the intention of working with scientific advisors to ensure the accuracy or their stories.
Science-fiction and speculative stories are, in almost every case, ineligible. In some rare cases, a futuristic story might be eligible if it involves science or technology that is truly on the cusp of being introduced to society.

Application Criteria

Filmmaker clearly articulates the intended goals for the grant.
Filmmaker demonstrates how the grant will impact short- and long-term professional and artistic goals.
Applicant directly answers all questions on the application and does not go over the word count. Applications that go over the word count will be considered ineligible.

Grantee Responsibilities

Financial Stipulations

The fellowship winner will receive a grant of $35,000.
Funds must be used for living expenses and if not from the Bay Area, travel to and from the Bay Area.
Winner must reside in the Bay Area for a minimum of two (non-contiguous) months, for no less than two weeks at a time.
While fulfilling the two-month Bay Area residency requirement, the filmmaker must agree to live within a 20-mile drive of FilmHouse (644 Broadway San Francisco, CA 94133).
The fellow must agree to spend a minimum of three half days at FilmHouse, and to attend a minimum of two FilmHouse events per month.
Transportation to and from the residency is the responsibility of the fellow.

Additional Requirements

Applicant will sign an agreement with the SFFILM
Fellows are asked to help us in our marketing efforts by filling out a questionnaire and providing links to trailers and/or reviews. Unless otherwise specified for confidentiality reasons, the logline submitted for the original application will be used in our press release.

Additional Notes

Only one application per project will be accepted.
While we encourage filmmakers to apply to the San Francisco International Film Festival, winning a fellowship from
SFFILM does not guarantee acceptance into any of the aforementioned programs.

How to Apply

To begin the application process, navigate to the “Apply Now” page to review the required items for submission. If you have not yet created an account for the SFFILM Grant Platform, please do so (please note: this is separate from your SFFILM member account).

Prepare your answers ahead of time in a separate document before submitting in case there are any problems with your submission. Leave time for technical issues, please do not wait until the last minute to submit your application.

If you are a member of SFFILM, your application fee is waived. If you are not a member of SFFILM, there is an application fee that must be paid in order for your submission to be considered. To pay the application fee, enter your credit card information at the end of the application after you hit “submit.” Email grants@sffilm.org if you have any technical questions.

Here is a sample of a few of the questions you will find in the online application:

Bio. (200 words or less)
Logline. In a couple of sentences, please describe the crux of your film. (75 words or less)
Project synopsis. (300 words or less)
Trailer or other work sample. (We will watch no more than 5 minutes of submitted footage)
What scientific research have you conducted thus far?
To date, what support have you received for this project?
List all sources such as awards, residencies, grants, donations, investments, and in-kind.
List the names and roles and other key (2-3) individuals involved in the project. Please briefly describe their qualifications.

Additional application materials are required as follows:

Current script sample: Ten pages of the script you are applying with. The ten pages do not need to be the first ten pages. Please select what you believe to be the best ten pages.
Script sample explanation: This should introduce the script pages from the project for which you are applying and provide context as well as any other pertinent information that would be helpful for the review panel to consider, such as which draft of the film this is and why you selected this passage.

Review Panel

SFFILM Catapult Documentary Fellowship

This program is not currently accepting applications. Sign up above to receive updates. 2019 Applicants will be notified of their status by mid-July 2019.

Overview

SFFILM and the Catapult Film Fund support filmmakers in the early stages of development on compelling, story-driven, feature-length documentary films. The fellowship is geared towards emerging filmmakers who have directed short films previously and for whom this is their first feature, or filmmakers who have directed one or two features already.

Awards are made once a year to three films. In addition to a $10,000 grant, fellows receive mentorship by industry professionals whose work or artistic approach aligns with the filmmaker’s goals, guidance from SFFILM and Catapult Film Fund staff, and access to SFFILM’s FilmHouse residency and dynamic suite of artist development services. This fellowship will allow filmmakers to create a strong fundraising trailer and core application with which they can seek to bring on additional key team members, partners, and funders.

Please note, this application is for the SFFILM Catapult Documentary Fellowship only. If you are interested in applying for the Catapult Film Fund Grant, please visit https://catapultfilmfund.org/how-to-apply/. Eligible filmmakers who meet the requirements may apply to both the SFFILM Catapult Documentary Fellowship and, separately, the Catapult Film Fund grant.

Evaluation Criteria

Applicant Criteria

Applicant must be the director.
Filmmaker may not be an SFFILM or Catapult Film Fund employee or Board Member.
Filmmaker must be at least 18 years old.
Filmmaker must currently be working in the United States.
Filmmaker, or any other applicant or co-applicant must become a SFFILM member at the Film Fan level or above prior to SFFILM releasing funds related to the fellow

Project Criteria

Film must be a feature-length documentary in early development.
Film should represent both SFFILM and Catapult’s missions of serving powerful stories, and moving storytelling, across a broad spectrum of issues and perspectives.
Film cannot be a narrative. Hybrid films will be considered on a case by case basis.
Project must not be work for hire.
If the project is fully funded and/or has distribution, it is NOT eligible.

Application Criteria

Filmmaker has clearly articulated intended goals for the fellowship, how those accomplishments will be measured, and what the next steps will be for the project.
Filmmaker demonstrates how the project will impact their short- and long-term professional and artistic goals.
Applicant directly answers all questions in the application and does not exceed the word count for a given section. Applications that exceed the word count will be considered ineligible.

Grantee Responsibilities

Filmmaker will sign an agreement with SFFILM.
Filmmaker agrees to submit a status report detailing how the funds were spent, and what progress has been made at three months and six months after the fellowship begins.
Fellows will be asked to make two (2) three-day trips to San Francisco during the 6-month fellowship—once in the early fall to meet with SFFILM and Catapult, and once during the Doc Stories festival on the first weekend in November.
Upon completion, a copy of the film will be made available to SFFILM.
Filmmaker shall provide acknowledgement to the SFFILM and Catapult Film Fund. If the Fellowship represents up to 25% of the budget for the Project, SFFILM and Catapult Film Fund are to be listed with other comparable funders/fellowships/grants, with language that mirrors or is similar to “Made with support from SFFILM and Catapult Film Fund” – onscreen in end titles and in marketing materials tied to other grants/funders. If the Fellowship represents more than 25% of the budget for the Project, SFFILM and Catapult Film Fund will receive an “in association with” credit – onscreen in main titles or end titles, and in marketing materials tied to other “in association with” credits.
Filmmaker will offer SFFILM a “first look” and first right of refusal for potential Bay Area premiere at SFFILM Festival and/or other SFFILM exhibition venues.
Filmmaker understands there will be a press release announcing chosen fellows. Unless otherwise specified during the approval process, the submitted bio and logline will be used in that press release.

Additional Notes

Please note that while we encourage supported filmmakers to submit applications to the SFFILM Festival and other SFFILM Makers programs, winning a grant, residency, or fellowship from SFFILM does not guarantee acceptance into the SFFILM Festival or other SFFILM Makers programs.
Projects and applicants may reapply to this or other SFFILM Makers opportunities for additional funding.

SFFILM New American Fellowship

Overview

Through the SFFILM New American Fellowship, created in partnership with the Flora Family Foundation, SFFILM offers six-month fellowships to narrative or documentary filmmakers who have arrived in the United States within the past ten years as either an immigrant or a non-immigrant. The fellowship is open to both directors and producers working on at least one active project.

Winners of the SFFILM New American Fellowship will receive a $25,000 cash grant and a two-month residency at FilmHouse, SFFILM’s suite of production offices for local and visiting independent filmmakers. The residency program provides filmmakers with artistic guidance, office space, a vibrant creative community, and mentorship from established filmmakers and members of the independent film industry.

Eligibility

Applicant Criteria

Filmmaker must have moved to the United States within the past ten years as either an immigrant or a non-immigrant.
Filmmaker does not need to be a lawful permanent resident, but must be authorized to work in the United States over the length of this fellowship.
Filmmaker must be working on at least one active project rooted in the United States, which is not fully funded and/or has not secured distribution.
Filmmaker must have directed or produced at least one short or feature-length narrative or documentary film, but not more than two narrative or documentary features, as the director or lead producer. This does not include co-producer, associate producer, or executive producer credits.
Filmmaker must use the fellowship to a produce at least one independent documentary or narrative feature with a budget of 3 million or less US dollars.
Filmmaker, or any other applicant or co-applicant, must become a SFFILM member at the Film Pro level or above prior to SFFILM releasing funds related to the fellowship.
Filmmaker may not be a SFFILM or Flora Family Foundation employee or member of any SFFILM or Flora Foundation Boards.
Filmmaker must be at least 18 years old.

Project Criteria

Projects must be in alignment with the SFFILM mission and represent an imaginative contribution to film.
Film may be a documentary or narrative feature.
Project should be vibrant, intelligent, original, moving, and innovative.
Project must not be work for hire.

Application Criteria

Project must demonstrate viable financial support and promise a high likelihood of being brought to completion.
Project should include team members with successful filmmaking track records.
Filmmaker has clearly articulated intended goals for the fellowship, how those accomplishments will be measured, and what the next steps will be for the project.
Filmmaker intends to form connections with Bay Area filmmakers.
Filmmaker demonstrates how the project will impact their short- and long-term professional and artistic goals.
Filmmaker directly answers all questions on the application and does not exceed the word count for a given section. Applications that exceed the word count will be considered ineligible.

Grantee Responsibilities

Financial Stipulations

Filmmaker must submit a progress report detailing how the funds were spent, and a new work sample at three and six months.

Additional Requirements

Fellows must reside in the Bay Area for a minimum of two (non-contiguous months), for no less than two weeks at a time.
Filmmaker will sign an agreement with SFFILM.
Upon completion, copies of the film will be made available to SFFILM.
Filmmaker shall provide acknowledgement to SFFILM and the Flora Foundation. The fellowship is to be listed with other comparable funders/grants/fellowships, with language that mirrors or is similar to “Made with support from SFFILM and the Flora Family Foundation” – onscreen in end titles and in marketing materials tied to other grants/funders. Logos will be provided by SFFILM.
Filmmaker understands there will be a press release announcing chosen fellows. Unless otherwise specified during the approval process, the submitted bio and logline will be used in that press release.
Filmmaker will offer SFFILM a “first look” and first right of refusal for potential Bay Area premiere at SFFILM Festival and/or other SFFILM exhibition venues. Please note: while we encourage supported filmmakers to submit applications to the SFFILM Festival and other SFFILM Makers programs, winning a grant, residency, or fellowship from SFFILM does not guarantee acceptance into the SFFILM Festival or other SFFILM Makers programs.

Additional Notes

Projects and applicants may reapply to this or other SFFILM Makers opportunities for additional funding.

SFFILM Documentary Film Fund

Overview

The SFFILM Documentary Film Fund (DFF) supports engaging documentaries in post-production which exhibit compelling stories, intriguing characters and an innovative visual approach. Since its launch in 2011, the SFFILM Documentary Film Fund has distributed more than $750,000 to advance new work by filmmakers nationwide.

DFF grants are awarded once each year to documentary feature projects and are open to filmmakers internationally. Individual grant amounts and the number of grants made will be determined on an annual basis. As with all SFFILM grants, in addition to the cash awards, recipients will gain access to numerous benefits through the comprehensive and dynamic SFFILM Makers artist development program.

The SFFILM Documentary Film Fund has an excellent track record for championing compelling, critically acclaimed films. Previous DFF winners include Zachary Heinzerling’s Cutie and the Boxer, which won Sundance’s Directing Award for documentary and was nominated for the 2014 Academy Award® for Best Documentary Feature; Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson’s American Promise, which premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and won the festival’s Special Jury Prize in the documentary category; and Jason Zeldes’s Romeo Is Bleeding, which had its World Premiere at the 58th San Francisco International Film Festival. Recent winners include RaMell Ross’s Hale County This Morning, This Evening, Assia Boundaoui’s The Feeling of Being Watched, and Peter Bratt’s Dolores.

Eligibility

Applicant Criteria

Applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Applicant must be in a key creative role for the film: ideally, the producer or director.
Applicants who are not SFFILM members must pay the $25 (regular deadline) or $45 (late deadline) fee. SFFILM members will have all fees waived.
Filmmaker may not be SFFILM employee or board member.
Filmmaker may not be a full-time student.

Project Criteria

Project cannot be a work for hire.
Project must be a feature length documentary (60 minutes or more).
Project must be in, or within three months of, post-production at the time of the final deadline.
Projects can be produced or based anywhere in the world.
Projects must be consistent with SFFILM’s mission and represent an imaginative contribution to the moving image art form.
Project reflects excellence in storytelling and visual style.
Project cannot be a work for hire.

Application Criteria

To begin the application process, navigate to the “Apply Now” page to review the required items for submission. If you have not yet created an account for the SFFILM Grant Platform, please do so (please note: this is separate from your SFFILM member account).
Filmmaker clearly articulates the intended goals for the grant.
Filmmaker demonstrates how the grant will impact short- and long-term professional and artistic goals.
It is recommended that the 5-minute sample be 1-2 scenes from the film and not a trailer.

Additional Notes

Only one application per project will be accepted.
Please note that while we encourage filmmakers to apply for to the SFFILM Festival and other SFFILM Makers grant, fellowship, and residency programs, winning a Documentary Film Fund grant does not guarantee acceptance into any of the above programs.
Films that have previously submitted to this fund may reapply if significant progress has been made since the last submission.
Filmmakers will be notified of their application status via email by the end of August. Funds for grantees will be available shortly thereafter.
Email grants@sffilm.org if you have any questions.