Grants for Filmmakers for Shorts
- The Roy W. Dean Film and Video Grants (www.fromtheheartproductions.com) are available to independent film makers interested in making shorts, documentaries, and low-budget films. They want to support films that are "unique and benefit society," according to their guidelines. Students, independent producers and studios are all welcome to apply. There is a $38 application fee for non-students and a $28 fee for students. You must submit a DVD of prior work with your application.
- The Rooftop Filmakers Fund offers grants in the range of $500 to $3,000 for short films. According to the information on their website (www.rooftopfilms.com), they are more likely to award grants to projects that have a budget of less than the total grant amount because this tends to ensure completion of the film. Only filmmakers who have screened a film at Rooftop Films can apply for a grant.
- Creative Capital (www.creative-capital.org) offers grants to adult filmmakers who have some past experience. To apply for the grant, you must be at least 25 years old, have a minimum of five years of filmmaking experience, and be currently working as an artist. Creative Capital describes their grant as "one of the most generous awards in the arts." Their grants go up to $87,000, including up to $50,000 for production and up to $37,000 worth of career development services.
- Panavision’s New Filmmaker Program (www.filmproposals.com) was founded 20 years ago. The grant provides new filmmakers with 16-mm and 35-mm camera equipment to produce any type of non-profit short film, such as public services announcements, show-reels, and low-budget independent features.