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Archives for Fund Your Film > Fund Your Film Featured

Fund Your Film Featured

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 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.

FAQs

  • Do I need to live in the Bay Area to be eligible for the SFFILM Sloan Fellowship?
    No. SFFILM Sloan is open to filmmakers based anywhere in the U.S. or internationally.
  • What is the difference between the Sloan Fellowship and the Sloan Stories of Science Development Fund?

    The Sloan Fellowship supports narrative features and series centered around scientific and technological themes in the screenwriting stage. Two fellows are selected annually and awarded cash grants of $35,000, a two-month FilmHouse residency, and a science advisor to support the scientific accuracy of the project.

    The Sloan Stories of Science Development Fund awards a $10,000 cash grant to four filmmakers in the earliest stages of writing screenplays inspired by articles and discoveries from the Stories of Science Sourcebook. In addition to a cash grant, awardees must attend a two-day writer’s retreat at SFFILM FilmHouse. The Development Fund runs every other year and will resume in 2021.

  • Are science fiction films allowed to apply to the Sloan Fellowship or the Sloan Development Fund?
    Science fiction films are defined as projects that incorporate fictional elements that expand beyond today’s scientific capabilities and are not eligible to apply for any of SFFILM’s Sloan opportunities.
  • What is the FilmHouse residency and is it mandatory?
    All filmmakers selected for the Sloan Fellowship must complete a residency period of eight weeks. The 8 weeks do not need to be contiguous, and can be completed in 2-week trips. The residency does not include living arrangements, but is an open workspace at SFFILM’s FilmHouse office. The residency includes peer-to-peer engagement with SFFILM’s year-round residents and feedback sessions, one-on-one meetings with expert advisors working in various sectors of the film industry, space to work from including a quiet screenwriting room and editing suite, year-round programming including talks, workshops, table reads, and work-in-progress screenings, and support from SFFILM’s Artist Development team.
  • How much science does my film have to include to be eligible?
    Eligible films for both Sloan opportunities must portray scientific or technological themes at their center that directly drive the story arc and/or character development forward. Films with peripheral scientific characters or ideas will not be competitive.
  • What is the Stories of Science Sourcebook? Will the articles included change between grant cycles?
    The Stories of Science Sourcebook compiles compelling reported articles and momentous recent discoveries in the scientific and technological fields. Applicants must choose a story or discovery from the Sourcebook to apply for this grant. Filmmakers who are already working on similar stories may apply, but must still be in the early development stage and must not yet have a script draft. Articles and discoveries chosen for previous grant cycles will be removed from the sourcebook, and additional articles and discoveries will be added to reflect the ever changing scientific and technological landscape.
  • When will the Sloan Stories of Science Development Fund Reopen?
    The Sloan Stories of Science Development Fund operates every two years and will reopen again in the Spring of 2021.
  • Are there other Sloan opportunities for filmmaking?

    Yes! The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation offers many film grants through various organizations and universities across the country. You can find a complete offering through their Grants Database.


For more information about our grants and fellowships, visit our FAQ page.

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 original, innovative visual approach. Since its launch in 2011, the SFFILM Documentary Film Fund has distributed more than $900,000 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 advancing compelling films that go on to critical acclaim. Previous DFF winners include Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh’s multiple Sundance winner Writing With Fire and Jessica Kingdon’s Ascension both nominated for the 2022 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature; Ljubo Stefanov and Tamara Kotevska’s Honeyland, which won a record number of juried awards at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for Academy Awards for both Best Documentary Feature and Best Foreign Language Film; RaMell Ross’ Hale County This Morning, This Evening, which won a Special Jury Prize at Sundance 2018 and was nominated for the 2019 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature; Liza Mandelup’s Jawline, which won a Special Jury Award at Sundance 2019 and is currently streaming on Hulu; Hassan Fazili’s Midnight Traveler, which won a Special Jury Award at Sundance 2019 and the McBaine Documentary Feature Award at the 2019 SFFILM Festival; and Luke Lorentzen’s Midnight Family, which premiered at Sundance 2019 and won dozens of awards including a Creative Recognition Award for Best Editing from the International Documentary Association.

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 within 3 months of beginning post-production from 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 innovation in storytelling and visual style.
  • Projects that primarily use interviews as a storytelling device will not be considered.

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 explains how the project takes a visually innovative approach.
  • Filmmaker demonstrates how the grant will impact short- and long-term professional and artistic goals.
  • It is recommended that the 10-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 November. Funds for grantees will be available shortly thereafter.
  • Email grants@sffilm.org if you have any questions.

FAQs

  • Do I need to live in the Bay Area to be eligible for the SFFILM Doc Film Fund grant?
    No. The SFFILM Doc Film Fund is open to filmmakers based anywhere in the U.S. or internationally.
  • What stage does this fund support?
    The SFFILM Doc Film Fund supports feature-length documentaries in post-production. While we know the documentary production process is often nonlinear with various stages happening at the same time, a project must be within about 3 months of beginning post-production from the final deadline.
  • What should my visual sample include?

    We recommend sending 1-2 scenes so that the review committee can get a sense of the story and characters and if it can sustain a feature length film, your access to the central subjects, and the artistic voice and direction of the film. We recommend sending the scene(s) you feel most strongly portray these elements in lieu of a trailer. We understand the scenes will be in progress and do not expect them to be picture locked, color corrected, or finalized in any way.

    If you send materials over 10 minutes, we cannot guarantee that the review committee will be able to watch more than the first five minutes of the materials you send. If you do not want the first five minutes to be watched, please include the timecode of the five minutes you would like the committee to watch.

  • What types of films does this fund support?
    The SFFILM Doc Film Fund supports a range of films from around the world. Films do not have to have a strong social issue and most often do not have that at the center of the film. The fund supports documentaries that exhibit compelling stories, intriguing characters and an innovative visual approach. Recent examples of this include Honeyland, Hale County This Morning, This Evening, Midnight Family, The Feeling of Being Watched, Midnight Traveler, and Cutie and the Boxer.
  • How many projects are granted each year?
    The Documentary Film Fund grants its support to approximately 3-5 projects each year with grants of $10,000 - $20,000
  • When are applicants notified?
    All applicants will be notified of their status through the SFFILM grant platform by mid-November.

For more information about our grants and fellowships, visit our FAQ page.

SFFILM Rainin Grant

Overview

The SFFILM Rainin Grant program is the largest granting body for independent narrative feature films in the US. Grants support films that address social justice issues—the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges—in a positive and meaningful way through plot, character, theme, or setting and benefit the Bay Area filmmaking community in a professional and economic capacity.

Awards are made to multiple projects once a year in the fall, for screenwriting, development, and post-production. In addition to a cash grant of up to $25,000, recipients secure a two month residency at FilmHouse and benefit from SFFILM’s comprehensive and dynamic artist development programs.

The program is open to filmmakers in the US and internationally who can commit to spending time developing the film in San Francisco.Since 2009, the SFFILM Rainin Filmmaking Grants program has funded more than 100 film projects, including Fernando Frias’s I’m No Longer Here, Channing Godfrey Peoples’ Miss Juneteenth, Antoneta Kastrati’s Zana, Joe Talbot’s The Last Black Man in San Francisco, Nijla Mu’min’s Jinn, Boots Riley’s Sorry to Bother You, Reinaldo Marcus Green’s Monsters and Men, Jeremiah Zagar’s We the Animals, Chloé Zhao’s Songs My Brothers Taught Me, Destin Cretton’s Short Term 12, Ryan Coogler’s Fruitvale Station, and Benh Zeitlin’s Beasts of the Southern Wild. Supported films have premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, South by Southwest, the San Francisco International Film Festival, and the Tribeca Film Festival. Learn more about the Kenneth Rainin Foundation.

Current SFFILM Rainin Grants are as follows:

  • Screenwriting Grant: These grants are open to filmmakers anywhere in the US, as well as internationally, and are up to $25,000. The funds allow filmmakers to devote dedicated time to furthering their work, and the grant includes a two-month FilmHouse residency in the Bay Area to further develop the screenplay, and have access to both peer and established mentorship engagement. In consideration of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, our goal is to hold this residency in person and require proof of vaccination, but we plan to make virtual accommodations for those who are unable to do so. The screenplay must explore issues pertaining to social justice.
  • Development Grant: These grants are up to $25,000 for producers of narrative features tackling social justice issues who demonstrate a need to engage with the Bay Area to develop and package their films. The grant includes a two-month FilmHouse residency with peer and established mentorship engagement. In consideration of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, our goal is to hold this residency in person and require proof of vaccination, but we plan to make virtual accommodations for those who are unable to do so. Successful projects will be at a stage to pursue financing, casting, location scouting, and/or other key activities to package the film before production. Major screenwriting work should be complete by this stage. Please note: the Rainin Development grant primarily aims to support productions shooting in the Bay Area.
  • Post-production Grant: These grants are up to $40,000 for films that are looking to spend the funds outside of the Bay Area, and up to $50,000 for films looking to do all or some of the post-production in the Bay Area (edit, sound mix, color, etc.). This stage supports films with an exceptional commitment to social justice. Projects should have significant creative work remaining in the editorial process or have a specific need related to sound or color in post-production. There is NO Bay Area residency commitment required for this stage.

Evaluation Criteria

Applicant Criteria:

  • Filmmakers must be at least 18 years old.
  • Filmmakers may not be an SFFILM or Kenneth Rainin Foundation employee or member of any SFFILM or Kenneth Rainin Foundation Boards.
  • Applicants must be actively engaged in one of the following phases: screenwriting, packaging, or post-production and should apply for the phase of production they expect to be in six months after the final submission deadline.
  • 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.
  • Filmmaker agrees to sign a contract with SFFILM.
  • Primary applicants must be in a key creative role for the film: screenwriter, director or producer.
  • All primary applicants in post production must be the writer and/or director. If there is a co-writer or producer they must be the co-applicant(s).
  • Development grant applicants must have the primary applicant be the producer and the writer and/or director as co-applicant(s).
  • Screenwriting applicants must be the writer and/or director. If there is a co-writer or producer they must be the co-applicant(s).
  • Screenwriting applicants must reside in the Bay Area during the writing phase for a minimum of two non-contiguous months (no less than two weeks at a time). You may apply if you are co-writing a screenplay. In consideration of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, our goal is to hold this residency in person and require proof of vaccination, but we plan to make virtual accommodations for those who are unable to do so.
  • Development applicants must reside in the Bay Area during the development phase for a minimum of two non-contiguous months (no less than two weeks at a time). In consideration of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, our goal is to hold this residency in person and require proof of vaccination, but we plan to make virtual accommodations for those who are unable to do so.
  • Post-production applicants can do post production outside of the Bay Area. The post-production grant is most heavily weighted towards films that have a deep exploration of social justice. Please note: SFFILM has additional post-production funding available for alumni as last position loans. Please reach out to SFFILM staff for more details.

Project Criteria:

  • Filmmakers can apply with each project a total of two times for the screenwriting and/or development phase, and one additional time for post-production when the project reaches that stage. If reapplying, significant progress should be made since your last application.
  • Film must feature plot, character, theme and/or setting that explores social justice issues, such as human and civil rights, antidiscrimination, gender issues, sexual identity and/or other social issues of our time.
  • Film must NOT be a documentary, short film, or episodic series.
  • Project may not be work for hire.
  • Film must be consistent with the SFFILM mission and represent an imaginative contribution to film.
  • Project is vibrant, intelligent, original, moving and innovative and illustrates a sense of hopeful transformation or a movement towards positive social justice.
  • Project has strong and recognizable social value, contributing, for example, to a greater public appreciation of a disenfranchised group, identifying an area where social change is needed or bringing to light a difficult or inspirational story, condition or issue.
  • For more information about our grants and fellowships, visit our FAQ page.
  • Project budgets shall be $3,000,000 or under including all phases of production.

Application Criteria:

  • Filmmaker has clearly articulated their intended goals for the grant, how those accomplishments will be measured and what the next steps will be for the project.
  • 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

Bay Area Support:

  • Grant recipients agree to offer SFFILM a “first look” and first right of refusal—only for the Bay Area premiere—at SFFILM Festival and/or other SFFILM exhibition venues.
  • Grant recipients are required to write an article or participate in an interview about your work for one or more publications.
  • Grant recipients are required to lead a FilmHouse workshop or professional development course in your area of expertise.
  • Grant recipients are required to meet with filmmakers to discuss work. Show a work-in-progress or present your project at an appropriate forum.
  • Grant recipients are required to mentor or otherwise assist filmmakers who participate after you in these programs.
  • Grant recipients are required to participate in community outreach activities around the issues addressed by the film.

Financial Stipulations:

  • All grant funds are to be used solely for the purpose of supporting the project. Spending must be consistent with the budget submitted to SFFILM (screenwriting applicants excluded).
  • Please provide updates to the budget as needed (screenwriting applicants excluded).
  • If the grant represents 25% or more of the project budget, credit will be above-the-line.
  • Filmmaker agrees to submit a progress report detailing how the funds were spent, and a new work sample at three and six months.
  • Filmmaker agrees to submit a progress report detailing how the funds were spent.
  • Funds must be spent directly in ways that support the Bay Area as outlined in the application guidelines, EXCEPT post-production grants which may be spent entirely outside of the Bay Area, if indicated on the application.
  • Grant recipients will be required to submit a progress report and a new work sample after three months, and then again six months after the date of funds received.
  • If you are unable to complete any of the requirements stated in your contract or application you must inform SFFILM in writing right away. It is possible if you become unable to adhere to the requirements of the grant the money may not be awarded or could be returned to SFFILM.

Additional Requirements:

  • Upon completion, a copy of the film will be made available to SFFILM.
  • Filmmaker shall provide acknowledgement to SFFILM in the film’s credits, in line with other funding partners.
  • 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 filmmakers to apply to the SFFILM Festival, and SFFILM Makers project development program, winning a grant does not guarantee acceptance into any of the aforementioned programs.
  • Filmmaker understands that SFFILM may issue a press release for the finalist and the winner phases of the grant review process. Unless otherwise specified for confidentiality reasons, the submitted bios and logline will be used in press releases.
  • Filmmaking Grant winners 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 log line submitted for the application will be used in our press releases.
  • Filmmaker shall provide acknowledgement to the SFFILM Rainin Grant. If the grant represents up to 25% of the project budget, the SFFILM Rainin Grant is to be listed with other comparable funders/grants, with language that mirrors or is similar to “Made with support from SFFILM Rainin Grant”-onscreen in end titles and in marketing materials tied to other grants / funders. If the grant represents between 25% and 50% of the project budget, the SFFILM Rainin Grant 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. If the grant represents 50% or more of the project budget, the SFFILM Rainin Grant will receive an “SFFILM Rainin Grant presents” credit-onscreen in main titles or end titles and in all marketing materials. Logos will be provided by SFFILM. If a project is supported multiple times by SFFILM and/or Rainin, the budget percentage threshold may change for where the SFFILM and Rainin logos appear in the end credits.

If you are unsure if you meet the requirements or have any questions regarding what phase you are in, please email grants@sffilm.org.

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).

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.

The application form includes the following elements (subject to change):

  • Logline. In a couple sentences, please describe the crux of your film. (75 words or less)
  • Bio. (200 words or less)
  • Project synopsis. (300 words or less)
  • Describe how your film, through plot, character, theme, or setting, explores urgent social issues of our time. (150 words or less)
  • What made you want to tell this story and why is now the right time for you to tell it? (300 words or less)
  • How does the film contribute to or uplift the Bay Area filmmaking community professionally or economically? For Screenwriting or Development Phase (150 words or less)
  • Please describe your artistic vision and stylistic approach. How will your film look and feel? (150 words or less)
  • List the names and roles and briefly describe the qualifications of the other key (up to 5) individuals involved in the project. These individuals could include producers, directors of photography, editors, actors or other key cast and crew. State the date they became attached to the project. (300 words or less)

These additional application materials may be submitted as well:

  • 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. Please include a page introducing the script pages that provides any necessary context.
  • You are welcome to submit a 5–10 minute visual sample however, we can’t guarantee that review committee members will view the sample or view it in its entirety.

Finalists

Approximately twenty applicants will be chosen as finalists. The following materials will be required for further consideration before the winners are selected. Finalists will have approximately three weeks to submit these items:

Screenwriting

  • A one-page writer/director’s statement. This should provide insight into who you are and your process.
  • A three to five page treatment. This should give us a clear sense of the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
  • A minimum of ten pages of a previous script. The ten pages do not need to be the first ten pages. Please select what you believe to be the best ten pages. If you don’t have a previous screenplay, you can submit a visual sample, with an online link in an attached document alongside an explanation of the visual sample.
  • A one-page explanation that gives context in terms of where we are in the script as well as orientates us as to where we are in the story.
  • A minimum of ten pages of the script you are applying for. The ten pages do not need to be the first ten pages. Please select what you believe to be the best ten pages.
  • A one-page explanation that gives context in terms of where we are in the script as well as orientates us as to where we are in the story.

Development / Packaging

  • A one-page director’s statement. This should provide insight into who you are and your process.
  • A one-page producer’s statement. This should provide insight into who you are and your process.
  • A three to five page treatment. This should give us a clear sense of the beginning, middle and end of the story.
  • Full Script: Please submit the latest draft of the script you are applying for.
  • Full Script Explanation: Provide any relevant context for your script submission. Please note that some members of the review committee may be unable to read the full script. Make sure to include page numbers for an excerpt of at least 10 pages you’d like the committee to read if they’re unable to read the script in its entirety.
  • Previous Work Sample. A ten-minute sample of a previous work of the writer/director (short or feature). This can be one ten-minute sample, two five minutes samples, etc. We will only accept online links.
  • A full budget that includes all expenses AND revenue. *Revenue section must include: Actual funds raised to date, in-kind donations with associated market value and any outstanding or pending funds.

Post-production

  • A one-page writer/director’s statement. This should provide insight into who you are and your process.
  • A one-page producer’s statement. This should provide insight into who you are and your process.
  • A three- to five-page treatment. This should give us a clear sense of the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
  • Current Script Sample: A minimum of ten pages of the script you are applying for. The ten pages do not need to be the first ten pages. Please select what you believe to be the best ten pages. You are also welcome to submit your full screenplay – however, we can’t guarantee we will read it in its entirety. Should you choose to submit it please send it as a separate PDF.
  • Work sample one: A ten-minute sample of a previous work of the writer/director (short or feature). This can be one ten-minute sample, two five minutes samples, etc. We only accept online links.
  • Work sample two: A ten-minute sample of the work in progress. We also invite you to submit a full copy of the film but we can’t guarantee we will watch more than ten minutes. Should you choose to submit the entire project please submit it as a separate link.
  • Work sample explanations. Three pages – A one-page explanation that gives context in terms of where we are in the script pages (if they are not the first ten pages). A one page that introduces work sample one and explains how this work has led to your current project. A third page that contextualizes the work in progress.
  • A full budget that includes all expenses AND revenue. *Revenue section must include: Actual funds raised to date, in-kind donations with associated market value and any outstanding or pending funds.

FAQs

  • Do I need to live in the Bay Area?
    The SFFILM Rainin grant is open to applicants who live anywhere in the U.S. or internationally. The stories can be set anywhere in the world.
  • What stages does the Rainin grant support?
    Rainin supports films in the screenwriting stage, development/packaging, and post-production.
  • How much funding can I request?
    Screenwriting and development grants can be up to $25,000. For post-production grants, if you intend to spend the money outside of the Bay Area, you can request up to $40,000. If you plan on spending at least half of the grant on post services in the Bay Area, you can request up to $50,000.
  • Is there a budget cap?
    Yes, the film’s budget must be below $3 million.
  • What are acceptable uses of the funds?
    For the screenwriting stage, the funds are awarded to the writer or writer/director and can be used for cost of living expenses and childcare while the filmmaker works on the project. Filmmakers have also used the funds for research trips, consultants, and table reads. For the development stage, the funds are awarded to the producer and should be spent on parts of the development process such as casting agents, location scouts, and/or lookbooks. As of 2019, up to 40% of the awarded funds can be used to create a proof-of-concept, mood reel, or a closely related short film if the producer feels that this is the best use of those funds to unlock additional support for the film. For post-production, you should clarify which elements of post-production you would like to put the grant towards.
  • Which phase should I apply for?

    Applicants should apply for the phase of production they expect to be in around 6-months after the final submission deadline. Phases are as follows:

    • Screenwriting Grant: These grants are open to filmmakers anywhere in the US, as well as internationally, and are up to $25,000. The funds allow filmmakers to devote dedicated time to furthering their work, and the grant includes a two-month FilmHouse residency in the Bay Area to further develop the screenplay, and have access to both peer and established mentorship engagement. The screenplay must explore issues pertaining to social justice.
    • Development Grant: These grants are up to $25,000 for Bay Area-based producers tackling social justice issues OR producers who demonstrate a need to relocate to the Bay Area to develop and package their films, including a minimum of a two-month FilmHouse residency with peer and established mentorship engagement. Non-Bay Area-based producers may apply, if willing to relocate to the Bay Area for the majority of this six-month granting cycle. The development grant continues the organization’s commitment to producers in film through financial and artist development support. Please note: the Rainin Development grant is almost exclusively designed for productions shooting in the Bay Area.
    • Post-production Grant: These grants are up to $40,000 for films that are looking to spend the funds outside of the Bay Area, and up to $50,000 for films looking to do all or some of the post-production in the Bay Area (edit, sound mix, color, etc.). This stage supports films with an exceptional commitment to social justice. Projects should have significant creative work remaining in the editorial process or have a specific need related to sound or color in post-production. There is NO Bay Area residency commitment is required for this stage.
    • Post-Production Loan: A new discretionary loan for filmmakers in post-production that will sit in second position to equity investors. Open to any previous recipient or alum following the first day of production. Please contact SFFILM Makers staff at grants@sffilm.org to learn more.
  • Is there a limit to the number of times I can apply?
    A filmmaker can apply twice per project stage with the same project. (i.e. two times for screenwriting, two times for post-production, etc.)
  • The application asks how my project uplifts the Bay Area filmmaking community. I do not live there and my film is not set there. What are the expectations?

    Projects and filmmakers do not have to be rooted in the Bay Area in order to apply. However, we ask applicants to consider how they can best both learn from and give back to the Bay Area filmmaking community to reach their goals. This can be done by shooting in the Bay Area, participating and hosting talks and events at Filmhouse during the residency, or connecting with local communities or resources within the Bay Area, among other contributions.

  • What is the residency? Is it mandatory?
    All filmmakers applying for the screenwriting and development/packaging stage must complete a residency period of eight weeks. The 8 weeks do not need to be contiguous, and can be completed in 2-week trips. The residency does not include living arrangements, but is an open workspace at SFFILM’s FilmHouse office. The residency includes peer-to-peer engagement with SFFILM’s year-round residents and feedback sessions, one-on-one meetings with expert advisors working in various sectors of the film industry, space to work from including a quiet screenwriting room and editing suite, year-round programming including talks, workshops, table reads, and work-in-progress screenings, and support from SFFILM’s Artist Development team.
  • I don't live in the Bay Area and am not shooting there. Can I still apply for the development/packaging grant?
    While the Rainin grant is open internationally, because there is a requirement of eight non-contiguous weeks spent in the Bay Area, the development/packaging phase heavily favors projects shooting at least partially in the Bay Area so that filmmakers do not have to step away from their critical casting and location scouting work during this important time in a production’s lifecycle.
  • When are applicants notified?
    All applicants will be notified of their status within four months of the final submission deadline.
  • What is the additional accessibility funding for Audio Descriptions and Closed Captioning?

    In partnership with the Kenneth Rainin Foundation and the SFFILM Disability Advisory Board, the Rainin grant is now offering up to $5,000 in additional funding to incorporate Audio Descriptions in the Screenwriting Phase or Audio Descriptions and/or Captioning in the Post-Production Phase. This is part of an effort for wider access and inclusion in film and is entirely opt-in for applicants.

    Captioning and audio descriptions must be in accordance with the guidelines and/or common practices set forth by the American Council of the Blind and the National Association of the Deaf.


For more information about our grants and fellowships, visit our FAQ page.
For any and all questions, please contact grants@sffilm.org.

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