Filmmaking Grants – Southern Documentary Fund

Southern documentary fund production grant

The call for production grant proposals will open on July 13, 2026 and will close on August 14, 2026. Seven filmmakers were awarded $15,000 each, totaling $105,000.

Southern documentary fund production grant

The Southern Documentary Fund’s Production Grant provides direct financial support to documentary makers working in or about the American South. Each award offers funding for projects currently in production, helping filmmakers move their work forward while receiving additional guidance through SDF’s Mentorship Program. Designed to uplift Southern voices and lower barriers to storytelling, the grant supports a wide range of creators whose films reflect the people, places, and issues shaping the region.

GRANT ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for our grant:

Project Directors should reside or have deep roots in one of the following Southern states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia.
This grant prioritizes stories made in or about the American South.
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.

If your project has special circumstances regarding eligibility, please feel free to reach out to our Artistic Director: chris@southerndocumentaryfund.org

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.

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.

What WE fund

This program is for Southern makers.

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.

We seek to bring visibility to Southern makers and communities who are oftentimes overlooked. We will award up to seven makers with grants of $15,000 each to assist them in production.

Info Sessions

Clink on the images below to register

Grant Info Session #1

July 20, 2026 1:00PM EST

Grant Info Session #2

August 10, 2026 1:00PM EST

Grant resources

Application Checklist

English

Application Checklist

Spanish

Sample Grant Application

Sample Budget

Roundtable budgeting workshop recording

FAQ

Do applicants have to reside in the South to qualify for the grant?

We are looking for Southern Makers who 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. If you have any questions about your projects eligibility, please contact sdfgrants@southerndocumentaryfund.org.

If I’m enrolled in school, can I apply?

Applicants must not be enrolled in a film school and/or seeking funds for a student project. If your project has special circumstances regarding eligibility, please feel free to reach out to our Program Manager: chris@southerndocumentaryfund.org

Can two people working on the same project apply separately?

No, you can not apply separately, we will accept one application per project, per grant cycle.

Do you have to be a non-profit or have an LLC to apply?

You do not have to be a non-profit or have an LLC to apply.

Can the funds be used to pay myself for the work I’ll be doing?

Yes, please be sure to include this in your proposed budget.

I understand that new and emerging filmmakers are encouraged to apply. Are experienced filmmakers eligible to apply?

We are encouraging filmmakers at all levels to apply.

Are shorts, features, and documentary series eligible for SDF grants?

Yes, we accept both short and feature film proposals as well as documentary series proposals.

If we receive the grant, what is the turnaround time for a completed project?

There is not a turnaround time for a completed project.