Grants for Indie Filmmaking
Research is the first step in getting grants for indie filmmaking. Foundation (philanthropic giving), government, film industry and artists associations are the major sources for grants. Fortunately, there are numerous resources for finding grant money. While indie filmmakers may be long on creativity, they are often short on cash. Grants can provide the cash flow for "starving artists." With grants, indie films can continue to make valuable contributions to the arts and humanities.
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Grants from Foundations
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Write grants applications to suitable foundations. Grants from philanthropic organizations are plentiful. Two resources for researching foundation grants are the Foundation Center and Film Independent. Examples of foundations that provide grants to indie filmmakers are the Rockefeller Foundation, the Shubert Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Some foundations were formed to promote very specific interests and ideals, while others are more general in their philanthropic giving.
Artists Association and Film Industry Grants
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Artists associations and film industry grants are suited to indie filmmakers. Artists associations and the film industry have a vested interest in promoting filmmaking. Therefore, it is more probable that the filmmaker and the granting organization will have common interests and objectives. The grants may be specific to writers or filmmakers, or may simply provide funds for the equipment necessary to make a film. The basic premise of artists associations and film industry grants is to promote filmmaking, as opposed to foundations that are often founded on certain ideals or beliefs. These grants provide filmmakers with more creative license. There is also the possibility that grants distributed from the film industry and artists may have less conservative guidelines than their foundation counterparts.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Foundation are examples of grants from the film industry.
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Blogs
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Blog for information and resources By its very nature, indie filmmaking is perfect for blogging. Blogs such as IndieTalk and CounterCulture Independent Filmmakers' Resource offer another resource for finding grants from all sectors. The blogs give links to other websites and other artists interested in indie films. They create a virtual community of artists where you can get helpful tips and insights from experienced screenwriters and filmmakers. Other websites that provide comprehensive information for indie filmmakers looking for grant funding are noted in the Resource section.
Government Grants
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The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency. However, by law it is required to channel 40 percent of its budget to state agencies. An indie website called "independent" has the complete list of websites for each of the 50 states. The site provides great resources such as books and articles offering advice to novice filmmakers.
Government grants are suited to documentary indie films, especially if the subject matter is relevant to environmental, health or other political issues concerning government. National Endowment for the Humanities is another independent agency that distributes grants for the U.S. government.
Grant Writing Tips
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Writing grant applications takes time and strategy Have a clear vision of your expectations for your indie film. While doing research, look for sources whose goals and objectives align with yours. Read the guidelines carefully. Do not waste time and money writing grant applications to funders that will automatically disqualify your application. Keep a calendar of grant application deadlines. Apply for several grants at once. It may be a numbers game. If you apply for 10 grants, you improve your chances of getting at least one.
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References
Resources
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