Filmmaking Grants
Recipients of this year’s grant have been notified and will be announced soon.
Stay tuned for 2025 Grant Application this summer.
GRANT ELIGIBILITY
- Project Directors should reside or have deep roots in one of the following twelve Southern states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
- Applicants must have a U.S. social security number or U.S. federal tax ID number.
- Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
- Applicants must not be enrolled in a film school and/or seeking funds for a student project.
*NOTE: If your project has special circumstances regarding eligibility, please feel free to reach out: sdfgrants@southerndocumentaryfund.org
WHAT WE FUND
This program is for Southern makers. We seek to bring visibility to makers and communities who are oftentimes overlooked. We will fund:
- Nonfiction documentaries (shorts, features, docuseries, and experimental).
- Projects must be in production. Proposals for research, development, post-production, distribution or engagement/impact funding are not eligible to apply for this grant.
INELIGIBLE PROJECTS
The following projects are ineligible for funding and will NOT be considered:
- The applicant and project do not meet the above listed eligibility requirements.
- Non-documentary projects.
- Projects that meet our criteria, but have an incomplete application and/or are missing support materials.
- Projects submitted after the submission deadline.
- Projects that have already received production funds from SDF.
REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
Application Checklist (English)
Application Checklist (Spanish)
Sample Budget
Roundtable Budgeting Workshop (Recording)
Sample Application
Community Care and Safety Handbook
Grant Info Session #1 (Recording)
Grant Info Session#2 (Recording)
REVIEW CRITERIA
- Project falls within the scope of SDF’s mission and values.
- Primary team members have a strong connection to the story.
- Proposal is well-researched and clearly presented.
- Project has a feasible budget and fundraising plan.
- Project Director and collaborators possess the skills necessary to successfully complete the project.
- The applicant shows an understanding of their intended audience and how to reach them.
- A completed application and all requested documents.
- A fulfillment of eligibility requirements.
GRANT INFORMATION SESSIONS
Select an Info Session link to register:
Info Session #1: TBD
Info Session #2: TBD
These grants are made possible thanks to generous support from the MacArthur Foundation. For questions regarding eligibility or the application process, please email: sdfgrants@southerndocumentaryfund.org
