Film Grants

Film Funding Around the World

Securing finance can be one of the most challenging parts of filmmaking. Global Films has assembled a selection of grants, production funds and development programmes available to filmmakers around the world.

Deadlines and eligibility requirements can change. Always consult the funder’s official website before applying.

International Film Funding

Roy W. Dean Fall Film Grant

Status: Open
Deadline: 31 October 2026
Funding: $3,500 in cash, plus production services and discounts
Projects: Documentaries, narrative features, short films, web series and multimedia projects
Eligibility: Filmmakers worldwide; production budget must be below $500,000
Website: Roy W. Dean Film Grant

The grant supports distinctive independent projects that make a contribution to society.

Catapult Film Fund

Status: Next funding round to be announced
Funding area: Early development of documentary films
Eligibility: International applications are accepted, subject to the programme’s requirements
Website: Catapult Film Fund

Catapult provides early-stage funding and mentorship for distinctive, story-driven documentary projects.

Sundance Documentary Fund

Status: Next application round to be announced
Funding area: Feature-length documentary projects
Eligibility: International filmmakers may apply, subject to the programme’s current guidelines
Website: Sundance Documentary Film Program

The programme supports cinematic documentaries exploring contemporary subjects and global issues.

SFFILM Documentary Film Fund

Status: Closed for 2026
2026 final deadline: 7 July 2026
Next round: To be announced
Funding area: Feature-length documentaries in post-production
Eligibility: Qualifying filmmakers from the United States and internationally
Website: SFFILM Documentary Film Fund

World Cinema Fund

Status: Applications are accepted during announced funding rounds
Next deadline: Check the official website
Funding area: Production and distribution
Eligibility: Projects from designated regions with developing film industries
Website: https://www.berlinale.de/en/wcf/funding-programmes/production-support/wcf-classic.html

The fund encourages artistically distinctive films and international co-production.

UK

Global Screen Fund (UKGSF):

International Co-production

Status: Supporting UK producers to work as partners on international co-productions

Applications are now closed. The next round is scheduled to open September 2026

Grants of up to £300,000

Website: www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support

Scottish Documentary Institute Consultancies

Status: Offered periodically throughout the year
Type: Professional advice rather than direct funding
Eligibility: Scottish-based filmmakers
Website: Scottish Documentary Institute

The consultancies provide advice on funding applications, funding strategy, pitching, story development and festival planning.

This should be presented under Filmmaking Support, rather than described as a grant.

Europe

EURODOC

Status: Applications operate in announced annual rounds
Type: Professional documentary-development programme rather than a direct film grant
Eligibility: Documentary producers internationally
Website: EURODOC

EURODOC provides training and professional development for documentary producers. Participation requirements and fees should be checked before applying.

North America

California Documentary Project

Status: Open
Letter of Intent deadline: 14 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Full proposal deadline: 1 February 2027 for invited applicants
Projects: Documentary film, audio and interactive media
Eligibility: Projects concerning California subjects and issues
Website: California Documentary Project

Jerome Foundation Film Production Grants

Status: Open
Deadline: 1 October 2026, before 4:00 p.m. Central Time
Funding: Up to $30,000
Eligibility: Eligible early-career film directors based in Minnesota or New York City
Website: Jerome Foundation

Separate film-production opportunities are available for qualifying Minnesota and New York City filmmakers.

Moving Picture Institute Filmmaker Grants

Status: Applications accepted throughout the year
Review schedule: Three times annually
Eligibility: Preference is given to filmmakers who have participated in MPI workshops or development programmes
Website: MPI Filmmaker Grants

NEH Media Projects

Status: Closed for 2026
2026 deadline: 25 June 2026
Funding: Up to $75,000 for development and $700,000 for production
Projects: Film, television, video, radio, podcasts and digital media
Eligibility: Applications must be made by qualifying organisations
Website: NEH Media Projects

SFFILM Rainin Grant

Status: Closed for 2026
2026 final deadline: 22 May 2026
Next round: To be announced
Projects: Narrative feature films exploring social-justice themes
Website: SFFILM Rainin Grant

SFFILM Sloan Science in Cinema Filmmaker Fellowship

Status: Closed for 2026
2026 final deadline: 22 May 2026
Next round: To be announced
Projects: Narrative feature-film screenplays involving science or technology
Website: SFFILM Sloan Fellowship

Austin Film Society Grant for Short Films

Status: Closed for 2026
Expected reopening: Summer 2027
Eligibility: Texas-based filmmakers
Website: Austin Film Society Grants

The Film Fund

Status: 2026 round closed
2026 deadline: 1 September 2026
Potential award: Up to $10,000
Type: Fee-charging short-film competition
Website: The Film Fund

Applicants submit a one-sentence proposal and pay an entry fee. This is a competition rather than a conventional charitable grant.

Women in Film Finishing Fund

Status: Paused; no new application round announced
Projects: Films directed by women and approaching completion
Website: Women in Film Finishing Fund

Hot Docs Funds

Status: No Hot Docs funds are currently accepting applications
Next rounds: To be announced
Location: Canada
Website: Hot Docs

Hot Docs programmes have included the Blue Ice Docs Fund, Ted Rogers Fund and CrossCurrents funds for Canadian and international documentary filmmakers.

Australia and New Zealand

Screen Australia Funding

Status: Various programmes currently available
Projects: Documentary development, narrative production, audience development and international initiatives
Eligibility: Australian applicants and qualifying Australian projects
Website: Screen Australia funding opportunities

Each programme has its own deadline, funding limit and eligibility requirements. The former wording “rolling basis throughout pandemic” should be deleted.

Africa, Asia and the Middle East

Alter-Ciné Foundation Documentary Film Grants

Status: 2026 application period closed
Next round: To be announced
Eligibility: Documentary filmmakers from Africa, Asia and Latin America
Website: Alter-Ciné Foundation

The foundation supports documentaries concerned with human rights, social justice and cultural expression.

Arab Fund for Arts and Culture Cinema Grant

Status: Closed for 2026
2026 deadline: 19 June 2026
Next round: To be announced
Eligibility: Filmmakers and producers from the Arab region, subject to current guidelines
Website: AFAC Cinema Programme

The programme supports film projects at development, production and post-production stages.

More Development and Support Programmes

Film Independent Project Involve

Status: Annual programme; check for the next application round
Type: Mentorship, production experience and industry access
Eligibility: Emerging filmmakers from underrepresented communities; participants must reside in the Los Angeles area during the programme
Website: Project Involve

Film Independent Directing Lab

Status: On hiatus until further notice
Type: Feature-film directing development programme
Website: Film Independent Directing Lab

ITVS Open Call

Status: Check the official website for the next application period
Type: Co-production funding—not a grant
Eligibility: Independent documentary programmes suitable for public television
Website: ITVS Open Call

Successful applicants enter a co-production agreement under which ITVS receives certain broadcast and streaming rights.

Note: We recommend verifying the credibility of each website, as these sites are listed without any vetting process. Always stay informed by referring to the official websites for the latest updates, as information may change due to global events or specific circumstances.