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 range between $10,000 and $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.