Yes, the budget must be below $3 million.
How many projects get funding? What amount are the grants?
Generally, five projects receive a grant during two cycles each year for a total of 10 projects annually. Each grant awarded is for $20,000.
Do I need to live in the Bay Area?
The SFFILM Westridge grant is open to applicants internationally whose stories take place in the United States. There is no required residency period or mandatory travel to the Bay Area.
What stages does the Westridge grant support?
As of Fall 2019, Westridge supports films in the screenwriting stage that have at least one draft completed and that do not plan to start shooting within a year of the application deadline. Filmmakers should be committed to deepening the work on their screenplays and having a screenwriting mentor.
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.