The Whickers remains committed to supporting documentary makers in any medium and allowing great ideas to flourish. If your project doesn’t quite meet our criteria then you may be interested in some of the following funding opportunities. Be sure to visit their websites and read the terms and conditions carefully before applying.
Opportunities for African Filmmakers
- The African Culture Fund (ACF) is a pan-African fund that aims to support the sectors of arts education and cultural and creative industries on the African Continent.
- The Fund seeks to promote the creative sector, cultural entrepreneurs, artists, cultural professionals and organisations producing cultural goods and services.
- In the past they have awarded $10,000 to African projects and have created a solidarity fund in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
- Their mission is to enable talented, driven, and focused East African filmmakers, with important and unique stories to tell, to produce high impact independent documentary films that unearth new realities about worlds, identities, and people for audiences in East Africa and around the world.
- They periodically support the best and brightest film projects with production funds at various levels.
- They also offer workshops curated for the specific needs of the East African film industry.
- They offer a wide range of grants in four categories: Development, Production, Post-production and Emergency.
- Candidates should have produced or directed at least one short or feature.
- The main director/producer should be based in the African continent and of African descent.
- The Digital Lab Africa call for projects targets artists, producers, designers, startups, students in the media and creative industries.
- The call is open to any individual from Sub-Saharan Africa region having an innovative project in 5 categories of multimedia production: web creation, virtual reality, video game, animation and digital music.
- The Hot Docs-Blue Ice Docs Fund has invested $2.35 million to enable more African documentary filmmakers to tell their stories and contribute to the next generation of African documentary talent. To date, the Fund has awarded 69 projects from 21 countries.
- The Fund provides development grants of up to $10,000 CAD and production grants of up to $40,000 CAD to four to ten projects annually.
- Each year, up to five funded projects are invited to participate in a year-long mentorship program, which includes private filmmaker labs at Hot Docs and the Durban FilmMart/Durban International Film Festival or other festivals and markets in Africa.
The WeOwnTV Filmmaker Fellowship
- The WeOwnTV Filmmaker Fellowship is a film fund and professional development program supporting the production of independent documentaries directed by West African filmmakers.
- The program provides filmmakers with funding for their project, creative labs, one-on-one mentoring, professional development workshops and networking opportunities.
For Middle-Eastern Filmmakers
- The AFAC Documentary Program is a three-year program that funds and supports creative documentary films that address social realities in the Arab region.
- The program welcomes, on an annual basis, submissions of short, medium-length and feature documentary film projects that are in production and post-production. These can be up to $50,000.
- AFAC also offers grants for projects in development which are eligible for a maximum of $15,000.
- The Doha Film Institute Grants Programme seeks out new cinematic voices and universally resonant stories.
- The Programme provides creative and financial assistance for short and feature-length projects by Qatari and international first- and second-time directors, as well as established MENA directors.
- Development Grants are offered up to $15,000; Production Grants up to $75,000 and Post-Production Grants up to $50,000
Marwed Al Thaqafy (Cultural Resource)
- The Production Awards program is designed to support young Arab artists under the age of 35 with up to $15,000
- Submissions are possible at all stages of production
- Applications must be completed in Arabic
For Asian Filmmakers
Asian Cinema Fund (ACF) Asian Network of Documentary
- The eligible applicant must be either an Asian director or of Asian heritage or a non-Asian residing in an Asian country. In all cases, the film project should contain Asian elements such as Asian stories, characters, themes, setting, etc.
- The applicant must have directed at least one previous documentary. However,
consideration will also be given to a debut project if it is in the post-production phase
and a rough cut can be submitted. - Cash awards are 5 million or 10 million Korean won. There is also a Script Development Fund.
- Dhaka DocLab organizes an annual event of pitching for South Asian documentary filmmakers.
- A limited number of scholarships are available for South Asian filmmakers who want to submit their project at Dhaka DocLab, a South Asian platform for pitching and mentoring of documentary filmmakers.
- Scholarship includes air travel, accommodation, local hospitality & waiver of participation fees
Malaysian and Singapore Film Grants
- Small Film Grants of up to MYR 15,000 and SGD 5,000 cash are available for fresh or unfinished documentary films about Malaysia and Singapore.
- Their latest call is for documentary proposals on the theme of the pandemic.
- Films premiere at the annual FreedomFilmFest which has been running since 2003.
For Latin American Filmmakers
- Campus Latino is an intense one-year training program, a platform to strengthen the documentary market in Latin America as a whole and improve coproduction possibilities both in the region and on an international level.
- The first webinar is open to a maximum of 12 projects. After this webinar, 7 projects will be selected and the producer/director teams invited to attend two more workshops offering insight into the full process of setting up an international coproduction and covering topics such as: how to develop your story, access the international market, how to pitch your project and distribution of your finished film via different media outlets.
- A maximum of three projects will be invited to pitch in front of international commissioners and producers looking for coproductions at the Documentary Campus Leipzig Networking Days in Germany.
- IF/Then Shorts, in partnership with Hulu Documentary Films calls short-documentary filmmakers based in the Caribbean, North and Central America to take part in the IF/Then x Hulu Short Documentary Lab.
- This lab will channel Hulu and IF/Then’s shared vision of creating a new pipeline of diverse talent and incubating strong voices who will be the next class of non-fiction storytellers.
- Each team will receive a $25,000 grant to use for the production of their film.
- The TFI Latin America Fund (supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies) provides grants, professional guidance and an entrance into the US industry to scripted, documentary, animated, or doc-fiction hybrid feature-length films.
- Open to innovative filmmakers and storytellers living and working in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America.
- The William Greaves Fund offers financial and mentorship support to non-fiction filmmakers of color at the mid-points in their careers. The fund aims to ensure that talented storytellers remain in the field and continue to create important stories focused on underrepresented people and topics.
- In addition to US filmmakers, those from Mexico, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and Colombia with a particular interest in those who identify as being of Indigenous and/or of African descent are encouraged to apply.
Specific to the Developing World
- The World Cinema Fund supports the production and distribution of feature films and feature-length documentaries.
- The support is focused on the following regions and countries: Latin America, Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, the Caucasus as well as Bangladesh, Nepal, Mongolia and Sri Lanka.
- Production grants are up to €80,000, whilst Distribution grants are up to €10,000.
- The Swiss fund Visions Sud Est was founded in 2005. The fund supports film productions from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe, aims at making them visible worldwide and guarantees their distribution in Switzerland.
- Production Grants are up to 50,000 Swiss Francs and Post-Production Grants are up to 20,000 Swiss Francs.
- For successful projects, all rights in Switzerland are automatically transferred to Visions Sud Est.
- The IDFA Bertha Fund supports independent, critical, and artistic voices from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe with the aim of stimulating and empowering the creative documentary sector in these regions.
- The Fund provides development, production, and distribution grants through two funding schemes. Filmmakers from and living in the above-mentioned regions can apply for IBF Classic. European co-producers of documentaries from these regions can apply for IBF Europe.
- In addition to financing, the Fund offers filmmakers tailor-made consultancies and training programs to support them in their creative and production process.
Alter-Cine Foundation Documentary Film Grants
- The Alter-Cine Foundation documentary film grant is aimed at young video and filmmakers born and living in Africa, Asia or Latin America.
- Grants range between CAD $5,000 – $10,000
- The film can be in the language of their choice and should reflect the aims of the Foundation, outlined on their website.
One World Media Production Fund
- Small grants of £1000 to proposals for non-fiction, journalism-based media across all platforms: film, radio, print, film, online, photojournalism
- Project must involve travel to a developing country
- In order to be eligible to apply for the fund, applicants must first attend one of One World Media’s university or public international reporting workshops
For Women Filmmakers
- Brown Girls Doc Mafia (BGDM) is an initiative advocating for over 4,500 women and non-binary people of color working in the documentary film industry around the world.
- The goal of the BGDM Sustainable Artist Grant is to enable the filmmakers in Brown Girls Doc Mafia at the emerging, established, or veteran career levels to have the stability and resources to continue focusing on their creative work and building their careers.
- This Grant entails $10,000 in financial support, mentorship and curated industry connections.
Chicken & Egg Pictures Accelerator Lab
- Annual program for first and second time directors who are self-identifying women or gender nonconforming.
- Ten projects receive $30,000–$40,000 in grant funding for the production of their feature-length film.
- Those selected for the Accelerator Lab are eligible for a further bursary from Chicken & Egg Pictures’ partner, The Whickers.
- Girls in Film Fund accept applications from female filmmakers (minimum director & producer have to be female) with films of any genre up to 7 minutes in length.
- Applicants must be resident of UK – £5,000 cash grant provided.
- Films can be in any stage of production.
Glassbreaker Films Women in Docs Grants
- Glassbreaker Films WID grants provide funding for women directors who have a unique story to tell and are ready to produce a documentary.
- They are committed to fully funding projects with total production budgets under $150,000, to provide an opportunity for our filmmakers to focus on their production without the need for further fundraising.
- Mama Cash supports ambitious feminist and women’s rights organisations and initiatives led by and for women, girls, trans and intersex people.
- Grants range from €5,000 to €50,000
- Each year, Mama Cash supports over 100 women’s, girls’, trans and intersex rights groups that are working to change the world.
The NYC Women’s Fund for Media
- The NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre provides grants to encourage and support the creation of content that reflects the voices and perspectives of all who identify as women.
- There are specific grants for Documentary Feature ($50,000), Documentary Short ($25,000) and Documentary Webseries ($20,000).
- In 2020, finishing funds were provided to 94 projects, totalling $2 million.
- The Women In Film Finishing Fund gives grants to filmmakers working in both short and long formats, in all genres.
- To apply for the Finishing Fund, the filmmaker must have completed 90% of principal photography and have a rough cut at the time of application.
- Applications from women around the world are encouraged.
Development Funds
- Providing development funding for early stage documentary films
- Applicants must have secured access to characters and be ready to shoot and edit
- Supports strong stories of all genres and perspectives
- Grants of up to $20,000 each
- Accepts applicants from around the world but only makes grants to 501(c)(3) organisations
Impact Partners Development Fund
- Impact Partners fund early-stage documentary features, series, or projects. They invest in the development of 4-8 projects a year, with a range of $10,000-$100,000 per project.
- They accept applications on a rolling basis. Filmmakers can apply to the fund for a variety of reasons as they get their projects off the ground, including development shoots, cutting a trailer or reel, conducting archival research, casting characters, etc.
- Doc Society’s New Perspectives Fellowship is a two year artist development opportunity supporting daring new works by US-based directors who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and/or as members of historically underrepresented communities.
- This programme combines key project funding, mentorship, and in-depth impact strategy to provide holistic support to the maker at every level.
- Grants are in the range of $30,000-$45,000.
- The Rogovy Foundation has a number of film grants; its values are to Educate, Inspire and Enrich
- The Focus Grant offers one-off grants in amounts up to $25,000 – they are currently focussed on investigative journalism.
- The Miller/Packan Grant supports films in advanced development and each year grants $200,000 to between eight and twelve filmmakers
- They favour highly targeted projects with a measurable impact
- The Roy W. Dean Film Grants funds films with budgets of $500,000 or less that are unique and make a contribution to society that, without its help, might otherwise never get made.
- There are 3 Roy W. Dean Film Grants available each year. One for Spring, Summer, and Autumn.
- Winners of the Roy W. Dean Film Grants receive a cash award as well as goods and discounted services offered by film industry companies and professionals who care about getting good films produced.
Production Funds
- Promoting inclusion in the documentary space, the CrossCurrents Doc Funds foster storytelling from within groups whose perspectives have been historically underrepresented. The filmmaker’s deep connections to the community will offer a unique perspective on the stories they share.
- There are two funding streams for filmmakers from marginalised communities: CrossCurrents Canada Doc Fund which supports Canadian filmmakers and CrossCurrents International Doc Fund which is open to all. The former offers $10,000-$50,000 CAD, whilst the latter offers $10,000-$30,000 CAD
- Fork Films awards grants to full-length non-fiction films that foster a culture of understanding and work towards a more peaceful and just society, while utilizing powerful and artistic storytelling methods.
- Specifically, they seek films that promote peacebuilding, human rights, and social justice, with a particular emphasis on projects that bring women’s voices to the forefront.
- Grants range in amount from $10,000 to $50,000
- International Production Fund with 10 public funds.
- Makes additional funding available for film productions and supporting filmmakers to set up networks.
- Applications from independent production companies (legal entities) only.
- Production must be a feature length live action, documentary or animated fiction film of at least 60 minutes.
- At least 50% of funding must be in place upon application,
- Must be based in one of these countries: Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and Canada.
- Various annual production grants which average between $15,000 – $25,000, donated in memory of American filmmaker Pare Lorentz
- Supporting independent, feature-length documentaries that reflect the spirit of Pare Lorentz’s work and show objective research, skilful storytelling and innovative camerawork
- The project must address a critical issue in the United States and focus on one of Pare Lorentz’s central concerns.
- Film must be in production, research and development almost finished with post-production work to finish
- International applications accepted but may be subject to US tax return
- Aide aux cinémas du monde (World Cinema Aid) is a fund created by the French government and managed by the Centre National du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée (CNC) and the Institut français.
- It grants millions of Euros each year to non-French feature films seeking support from French co-producers.
- The film must be directed by a non-French director but a French co-producer is required
- Maximum grant funding is € 250,000.
Post-Production Funds
- AXS Film Fund was founded to support documentary filmmakers and non-fiction new media creators of color with disabilities.
- Between violence targeted at people of color, a fearful divided nation, and the global pandemic, it’s more important now than ever to raise a body of more culturally diverse voices.
- Each year up to 5 directors are given up to $10,000 to complete their projects.
- The Frameline Completion Fund provides grants to emerging and established filmmakers.
- Grants up to $5,000 are available for the completion of films that represent and reflect LGBTQ+ life in all its complexity and richness.
- For over a quarter century, Frameline has awarded $595,000 to 168 projects to help ensure that LGBTQ+ film/video projects are completed and viewed by wider audiences.
Gotham Documentary Feature Lab
- Since 2006, the Gotham Documentary Feature Lab (formerly the IFP Documentary Lab) annually selects 10 nonfiction features—all in post-production and directed by first-time feature filmmakers—and provides the creative teams behind these films with key support through the completion, marketing, and distribution of their work.
- The Documentary Feature Lab participants will convene three times a year. First during a week-long virtual lab in the spring, then pitching their project at the Gotham Week Project Market in September, and finally during a week-long in-person (NYC) or virtual lab in December.
San Francisco Documentary Film Fund
- Supports riveting documentaries in post-production distinguished by compelling stories, intriguing characters and an innovative visual approach
- Awarded once a year and open to filmmakers internationally
- Exact amounts of individual grants and the number of grants made will be determined on an annual basis (usually in the range of $10,000 – $25,000).
General Film & TV Funding Resources
- 20-30 grants grants are awarded each year to projects in amounts ranging from $5,000-$50,000
- Cinereach offers grants to support any stage of a film’s progression, from development to completion
- A number of different funds including the BFI Doc Society Fund; Bertha Doc Society Journalism Fund; The Climate Story Fund; and the New Perspective Seed Fund
- Support both short and long form documentaries
- Has funded numerous award winning documentaries such as CITIZENFOUR and The Look of Silence.
- Grants from between £5,000-£50,000
Docscene – Scottish Documentary Institute
- A Creative Scotland partner supporting a number of documentary initiatives for Scottish born or based filmmakers and for films made in or about Scotland
- Initiatives include Bridging the Gap (available to emerging filmmakers from Scotland and Northern Ireland) and The Edinburgh Pitch (supporting developed feature length documentaries in collaboration with Edinburgh International Film Festival).
- Access to up to $75,000 for independent documentary filmmakers; established and emerging
- Supporting filmmakers at every stage of production, post-production and distribution.
- Rolling applications, international applicants accepted
- Support independent filmmakers around the world via grants and other funding initiatives
- Grants available for projects at the development, production and post-production stages, and open to filmmakers all over the world
- Grant programme focusing on documentaries that inspire social change: climate change, health care, justice reform, human rights, etc
- A founding member of Impact Partners, an organisation providing filmmakers around the world with financing, mentorship and the resources to make sure their films and made and reach the widest possible audience
- The film branch of larger charity the Ford Foundation supports artist-driven film and media projects, both fiction and non fiction but with an emphasis on independent documentary
- Focus on social justice films with strong visual storytelling techniques, inspired by individuals and targeting inequality
- A partner of the Sundance Institute, Tribeca Film Institute, Independent Television Service and the BRITDOC Foundation.
- International applications accepted
- Funding single documentary programmes of standard broadcast length (30, 60 or 90 minutes) from independent producers
- Supporting diverse, engaging creative projects that explore either regional or national topics in the US
- Films are typically already shot and the editing process begun, although not a post-production fund
- Grants vary in price depending on the size/field of the project
- US citizens or residents only
- Supporting range of film projects with grants of up to $30,000
- Fund awarded twice a year
- For films at any stage of production
- Funds stories about children and their families showing resilience
- Their Fiscal Sponsorship scheme has a rolling deadline.
- They aim to respond to applications within six weeks.
- Free IP and talent matchmaking platform for the Creative Industries, connecting content Creators with Decision-makers.
- Provides Creators with powerful pitch building and protection tools so their projects can be easily and securely discovered by Decision-makers.
- Recognition includes:
- Winner: Gold Award in Tech & Innovation, Cannes Film Festival Market 2023.
- Awarded Innovate UK Smart Grant & Future Economies in the Creative Industries Grants, 2021 & 2023.
- Participant Edinburgh University & Bayes Centre AI Accelerator (AI for Good category) 2023/24.
- Included in Creative Catalyst supported by Innovate UK for the SXSW 2024 Programme.
Sundance Institute Documentary Fund
- Supporting independent, non-fiction filmmakers globally with grants for development (up to $15,000) and production/post-production (up to $40,000).
- Open to both US and international applicants.
- Previously funded projects include The Square, The Invisible War and The Queen of Versailles
- The Sundance Institute also runs a documentary film training program teaching essential skills to emerging filmmakers
- A number of grants to support exceptional character-driven, nonfiction works that spotlight contemporary themes with an original focus and bold, creative filmmaking
- Grant amounts range from $25,000 to $50,000 and are open to filmmakers from around the world.
- IMS Documentary Film supports individual filmmakers and independent audio-visual production companies.
- Monthly grant given to films that cover topics of public interest in a professional and ethical way.
- Priority is given to productions focusing on issues of gender equality, climate change, marginalised groups and minorities, diversity, social change, current affairs and human rights.
Audio Funding Resources
- Supported by the UK Government to fund independent producers.
- Seeking public service content for UK commercial and community radio.
- Projects must meet Ofcom standards but criteria are broad.
- Supporting creative and engaging non-fiction stories from low- and middle-income countries across the global south.
- Provides £1000 production grant, an executive producer for your project and industry workshops & webinars.
- Anyone from around the world can apply. They particularly encourage submissions from underrepresented groups.
Google Podcasts Creator Programme
- The Google Podcasts creator program is guided by a mission of providing a global audio community with open resources, empowering underrepresented voices, and showcasing new work.
- Through the virtual accelerator program, independent podcasters have the opportunity to forge close relationships with other podcasters and industry experts from around the world.
- They will also receive up to $12,000, audio equipment, and the chance to refine their skills in storytelling, sound design, marketing, and more.
Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants
- The fund supports thousands of individual artists, community and cultural organisations.
- Grants range from £1,000 to £100,000.
- Allow up to 10 weeks to receive a decision for applications below £15,000. For larger applications, allow up to 16 weeks.
- Open to entries from around the world, and non-English audio welcomed. Focus on short-form this year.
- Fees ranging from 15 Euro for students up to 45 Euro
- The CREATE Stream is for brand new work whilst the CELEBRATE Stream recognises audio which has already been made (but can be reworked).
Third Coast/Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Competition
- Open to narrative audio from around the world.
- The eleven winning stories are supplied with various awards including cash prizes up to $4,500 and national broadcast.
- Multiple pieces can be submitted but fees do apply.
- Third Coast also offers a Radio Residency at Ragdale, an artistic community in Illinois. All travel, food and lodging costs are covered.
- Indigenous journalists seeking to improve their digital and multimedia storytelling, audio engineering, and graphic design or illustration skills should apply.
- This project is open to early professionals in tribal and mainstream newsrooms, and is designed to enhance coverage of Indigenous affairs with Indigenous voices.
- Training and hands-on experience to produce audio stories for air during the 5-day virtual training
- The Logan Nonfiction Program directly supports nonfiction podcasters, writers, documentary filmmakers, photojournalists and multimedia creators so they can tell the stories that matter.
- They provide lodging, meals, workspace, professional guidance and community.
- Over 5 years they have had 192 fellows from 41 countries.
Training Programmes and Fellowships
- A fund providing financial, training and practical support to freelance journalists/filmmakers working in hazardous situations
- Applicants will typically have been working in a freelance news gathering position for at least 18 months
- Provide sponsored hostile environment training, emergency subsistence and legal advice for freelancers
- Grants vary depending on the needs of the individual
- Provides training for journalists and film makers across the developing world
- Runs a digital summer school in London each year
- Is not a funding organisation, but sometimes can match applicants with a third-party funder
- Sponsors the Young Journalist of the Year from the Developing World category at the Foreign Press Association Awards, bringing three shortlisted entrants to London each November
Knight Visiting Nieman Fellowships
- Short term research opportunities to individuals interested in working on special projects designed to advance journalism – although candidates need not be practicing journalists
- Unique opportunity for six filmmakers (or filmmaking teams) to accelerate the development of their feature-length documentary projects through a combination of funding, focused mentorship, workshops, industry meetings and a public pitch session at the Camden International Film Festival