The Film Collaborative (TFC), a Golden Globe Foundation grantee, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting independent filmmakers with distribution, education, and audience engagement strategies. As part of this mission, TFC has compiled a list of upcoming grant and fellowship opportunities designed to provide vital funding, mentorship, and resources to help creators bring their stories to life — from early development through production, completion, and distribution. Explore the opportunities below to find the right fit for your project.
| Grant Opportunities |
| The Gothams – Film Awards There will be ten competitive awards for feature films in 2025 – Best Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best International Feature, Best Director, Breakthrough Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Adapted Screenplay, Outstanding Lead Performance, Outstanding Supporting Performance, and Breakthrough Performer. All eligible submissions must meet the following criteria for competitive awards: Filmmaking with a point of view. Each Gotham Award™ will be given to individual films or performers in films where the vision of an individual director, producer, writer or writer/director is abundantly evident. Feature films must be scheduled for a theatrical release during the period (January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025, 11:59 p.m.). By the submission deadline, films must have a confirmed release date for this period. Deadline: September 18, 2025 |
| FirelightMedia – Firelight Fund Firelight Media celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025 and is launching the Firelight Fund to meet this urgent moment. The Fund supports Black, Brown, and Indigenous stories from development through distribution, with a focus on those who are telling urgent stories and using their craft to advance social justice. Initial grant sizes will range up to $50K per project, and the inaugural grant cycle will kick off in the fall of 2025. Deadline: September 18, 2025 |
| Starz – #Take The Lead – Writer’s Intensive Four writers will be selected to participate in both phases of the program. In Phase 1, participants will connect with 15 industry professionals from a diverse range of TV backgrounds while crafting a spec episode treatment. In Phase 2, each writer will be paired with a mentor to write a full spec episode script based on an existing STARZ series. Each writer selected will receive a $5K grant. Deadline: September 18, 2025 |
| Zhao-Chen Family AAPI Voices Fund Dedicated to supporting the Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities, The Zhao-Chen AAPI Voices Fund recognizes the critical importance of funding for filmmakers developing and delivering their films and the value of investing in Kartemquin’s collaborative model of nurturing early-career filmmakers. Deadline: September 22, 2025 |
| Frameline Completion Fund Grants up to $5K are available for the completion of films that represent and reflect LGBTQ+ life in all its complexity and richness. Deadline: September 26, 2025 |
| BAVC MediaMaker Fellowship A 9-month intensive devoted to supporting documentary filmmakers using bold cinematic language and innovative impact strategies to grapple with critical issues of our time. In addition to traveling, mentorship, gaining insight into the industry, and strengthening your films together, fellows will also receive $10K in unrestricted funding. Deadline: September 29, 2025 |
| Jewish Film Institute – Filmmakers in Residence Program The Jewish Film Institute’s Filmmakers in Residence Program is a year-long, primarily virtual, artist residency that provides creative, marketing, and practical support for emerging and established filmmakers whose feature documentary projects thoughtfully consider of Jewish history, life, culture, and identity. The programming is remote except for a gathering in July at the annual San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. Though the projects must have Jewish content, filmmakers from any community are encouraged to apply. Deadline: October 20, 2025 |
| SFFILM FilmHouse Residency SFFILM’s FilmHouse Residency program provides Bay Area-based filmmakers with artistic guidance, office space, a vibrant creative community, and mentorship from established film industry professionals. Deadline: October 6, 2026 |
| FilmFreeway – Big Sky Pitch The Big Sky Works-in-Progress Pitch is the headline event of DocShop Filmmaker’s Forum held during the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. Only documentary feature length works-in-progress are eligible to apply. Documentaries may be in any phase of development, production, or post-production, but must be in need of funding. Submissions must have a visual sample that represents their story. Final Deadline: November 9, 2025 |
| Stowe Story Labs – Short Film Production Grant Stowe Story Labs will award a grant of $50K to support the development, production, and distribution of a narrative short film with a total run time of approximately 10 minutes. Mentoring will be available to support the winning project through all aspects of its development and production. Deadline: November 15, 2025 |
Learn more at: The Film Collaborative
