Indie Film Grants
Independent films, or indie films, are feature productions that are created, produced and distributed outside of traditional Hollywood studios. Because the major studios are bombarded with scripts, pitches and ideas, it can be difficult for a first-time movie maker to gain attention for her film. Producing a film independently allows anyone who has an idea and the funding to create her own full-length picture. Finding financing for an independent film production can be difficult, but there are many different organizations that offer grants for independent film producers to help reduce the amount of financing producers are required to raise.
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Federal Grants
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The U.S. government's website, grants.gov, was established in 2002 as a central repository for over 1,000 grant programs worth an estimated $500 billion in annual awards. For independent filmmakers, there are a number of federal grants available through the website. Potential applicants can browse through the grants on the website and even apply and track their application online. One example of a grant available to independent film makers is the "Bridging Cultures Through Film" grant, provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
State Grants
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Most U.S. states have their own grant programs for humanities-based projects. The International Documentary Association, documentary.org, lists state grant-makers, as well as information on qualifying for the grants. States typically require the filmmaker to either live in the state in which they are applying, or film a large portion of the film in that state. Typically, each state's Arts Council controls the funding for film and visual arts programs.
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Creative Capital
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Creative Capital is a large private organization that provides funding to film and video projects as well as literature, performing and visual arts. Since its inception in 1999, Creative Capital has provided over $20 million in funding to 406 artists. One of the unique aspects of Creative Capital is that they operate on a three-year grant cycle, providing long-term support to grantees. Creative Capital also offers workshops and a Professional Development Program that so far has helped over 3,000 emerging artists follow their dreams. To apply for a Creative Capital funding, you must be an independent artist over the age of 25 with five years of work history. The application and funding cycle runs year-round. Applications are typically accepted in February, and finalists are announced in June. In September, final-round finalists go in front of the panel, and awards are announced in January.
Festival Funds
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Many independent movie makers look to the independent festival circuit to gain funding for their projects. Most of the major film festivals, including the Sundance Film Festival, the Tribeca Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, all have film and screenplay competitions that offer prizes and support to independent filmmakers looking to produce a feature film. Typically, film festival sponsorships offer a monetary prize plus filming support. For instance, the Nantucket Film Festival's Screenwriting Competition offers a $5,000 prize for the winning screenplay, in addition to a 30-day residency in the Nantucket Screenwriter's Colony. A list of film festivals worldwide can be found at filmfestivals.com, along with information on the support that festivals provide to independent films.
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References
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