Filmmaking Grants
Our 2023 SDF Production Grant is now closed. The grant will reopen Summer 2024.
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
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.
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