SFFILM

The Bay Area's home for the world's finest films and filmmakers.

Doc

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.

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

SFFILM New American Fellowship

This program is not currently accepting applications. Sign up above to receive updates.

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.

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 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; 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; Assia Boundaoui’s The Feeling of Being Watched, which has won audience awards at several film festivals and was broadcast nationwide on POV; Alyssa Fedele and Zachary Fink’s The Rescue List, which had its world premiere at the 2018 SFFILM Festival and was broadcast nationwide on POV; and 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.

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 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 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.

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, films should be predominantly be in the post-production phase within six months of 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 have a longer sample already cut, you are welcome to send that. If you send materials over 5 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 4 projects each year with grants of $20,000.

  • When are applicants notified?
    All applicants will be notified of their status through the SFFILM grant platform by mid-August.

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

SFFILM Vulcan Productions Environmental Fellowship

2019 applicants will be notified of their status by August 15, 2019. The next application period for this program has not been set. Sign up above to receive updates.

Overview

The SFFILM Vulcan Productions Environmental Fellowship supports documentary filmmakers telling powerful stories about the environment and/or conservation. The fellowship, originally launched in 2018, includes a $25,000 grant, an advisor with expertise in the specific environmental topic being explored, and access to SFFILM’s dynamic suite of artist development services, including an educational lesson plan. The fellow will also travel to San Francisco and Vulcan Production’s headquarters in Seattle to partake in workshops and activities that address filmmaking, the environment, and entertainment industry connections.

SFFILM has partnered with Vulcan Productions to create this fellowship, based on the shared belief that filmmakers tackling stories about climate change and the environment need and deserve meaningful financial and creative support, particularly as the environment and science as a whole face new threats. The SFFILM Vulcan Productions Environmental Fellowship is geared towards filmmakers from anywhere in the world with a proven track record of creating compelling, wide-reaching stories through documentary film, photography, journalism, or related fields. This fellowship will support a feature documentary project in development or early production that addresses pressing environmental or conservation issues through strong, creative storytelling that is both unique and appealing to a large audience.

About Vulcan Productions

Vulcan Productions believes that storytelling can change the world. The company produces content that informs, inspires, and activates audiences. It builds movements that change behaviors, move policies and shift the trajectories of some of society’s most pressing challenges. Award-winning projects include Sundance Special Jury Award-winner STEP, The Ivory Game, Unseen Enemy, Racing Extinction, Naledi: A Baby Elephant’s Tale, Academy Award®-nominated Body Team 12, Mind of a Giant, We the Economy, We the Voters, Ocean Warriors, #ISurvivedEbola, Girl Rising and The Blues. Upcoming projects include Ghost Fleet and The Cold Blue. For information on Vulcan Productions and our leadership in generating change through impact storytelling, visit vulcanproductions.com.

Eligibility

Applicant Criteria

  • Filmmaker may not be an SFFILM or Vulcan Productions employee or Board Member
.
  • Filmmaker must be at least 18 years old
.
  • This fellowship is open to filmmakers internationally who are able to visit San Francisco and Seattle on dates agreed to by all parties.
  • Applicants must be actively engaged in either the development phase or early production.
  • Applicants must be the director or producer of the film.
  • Filmmaker, or any other applicant or co-applicant must become a SFFILM member prior to SFFILM releasing funds related to the fellowship.

Project Criteria

  • Project must be a documentary addressing pressing issues of the environment or conservation. Stories may take place in any country.
  • Project must be in alignment with the SFFILM mission and represent an imaginative contribution to film.
  • The project must be a feature-length documentary film.
  • Project must not be work for hire.
  • Project must not be a narrative or short film.
  • Project is thought-provoking, vibrant, intelligent, original and moving.
  • Project has strong and recognizable story related to climate change and/or conservation at the center of the film.
  • If the project is fully funded and/or has distribution, it is NOT eligible.

Application Criteria

  • Applicant clearly articulates their intended goals for the fellowship, how those accomplishments will be measured, and their next steps for the project.
  • Applicant directly answers all questions on the application and does not go over the word count.

Grantee Responsibilities

Financial Stipulations

  • Funds may be spent on development, pre-production or early production phases.
  • Project budgets shall be $3 Million or under, including all phases of production.
  • Fellow agrees to submit progress reports detailing how the funds were spent, and a new work sample. The first report will be due three months into the fellowship period. The second report will be due six months into the fellowship period.
  • If a fellow is unable to complete any of the requirements stated in their contract or in submitted application they must inform SFFILM in writing immediately. Please Note: It is possible that if a fellow becomes unable to adhere to the requirements of the grant, the money may not be awarded or could be returned to SFFILM.

Travel Requirements

  • The fellow agrees to travel to San Francisco to receive support through the FilmHouse Residency program. While in the Bay Area, the fellow will meet with members of the local and visiting industry and form connections with the Bay Area filmmaking community.
  • The Fellow agrees to travel to Seattle to meet with Vulcan Productions and enrich their work through a series of workshops addressing filmmaking and the environment.

Additional Requirements

  • Applicant will sign an agreement with SFFILM.
  • Applicant understands there will be a press release announcing the SFFILM Vulcan Productions Fellow. Unless otherwise specified for confidentiality reasons, the submitted bios and loglines from the application will be used in those press releases.
  • Upon completion, a copy of the film will be made available to SFFILM and Vulcan Productions.
  • Filmmaker shall provide acknowledgement to the SFFILM Vulcan Productions Environmental Fellowship in the credits. If the grant represents up to 25% of the project budget, the SFFILM/Vulcan Productions Fellowship is to be listed with other comparable funders/grants, with language that mirrors or is similar to “Made with support from SFFILM and Vulcan Productions”—onscreen in end titles and in marketing materials tied to other grants/funders. If the grant represents between over 25% of the project budget, the SFFILM/Vulcan Productions Environmental Fellowship 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. Logos will be provided by SFFILM.
  • Fellows agree to 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.

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