Financial Resources

Funding and support for filmmakers

Access funding, grants, and distribution tools—plus resources for navigating downtime between productions.

FILM FINANCE

GRANTS & AWARDS

The Grant Portal 

Start your funding search here! Database of local/state arts grants; eligibility often includes 501(c)(3) nonprofits, however many grants are offered to individuals.

Andrews/Bernard Award - Deadline Feb 27

Steven Soderbergh’s production company, Extension 765, launched a $300,000 pot of money in April on DCP’s platform. The Andrews/Bernard Award will help multiple filmmakers find the funds needed to finish their English-language fiction features or shorts.

Includes 1 – $100,000
Grant and 1 – $200,000 GRANT

National Film Preservation Foundation - Deadline Mar 20

The National Film Preservation Foundation invites applications for the spring round of its Basic Preservation Grants. These grants are awarded to nonprofit and public institutions for laboratory work to preserve culturally and historically significant film materials. The cash award ranges from $1,000 to $20,000. 

• Registration Deadline: March 20, 2026
• Application Deadline: April 24, 2026
• Grant Period: July 2026 to September 2027

Roy W. Dean Film Grant - Deadline Mar 31

For over 30 years, the Roy W. Dean Grant has funded independent films that are unique and make a contribution to society that, without its help, might otherwise never get made. Open to documentaries, narrative features, shorts, web series, & multimedia projects. 

Award
$3,500 Check from From the Heart Productions
Thousands in Services & Discounts

APPLY NOW

Roy W. Dean Film Grant - Deadline Apr 30

Now in its 35th year, the Roy W. Dean Grants have provided critical funding, mentorship, and production services to hundreds of filmmakers, helping them complete and share powerful, socially relevant films with audiences worldwide.

• Narrative short films
• Live action or animated projects

Selected filmmakers receive a robust package of funding and professional production support, including:

• $3,000 cash grant from From the Heart Productions
• $15,000 Panavision grant for 35mm or 16mm camera and equipment (live action only)
• $3,000 in music and audio services from acclaimed composer David Raiklen
• $6,000 in animation services from Emmy Award–winner Charlie Canfield (⅓ off standard rate for six weeks)
• $500 in grip, lighting, or expendables from Filmtools

APPLY NOW

Filmmakers Without Borders - Deadline Jun 1

Filmmakers Without Borders (FWB) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that is dedicated to empowering the next generation of digital storytellers. FWB filmmaking grants provide funding and support for independent filmmakers to share their stories. Funds are available for narrative, documentary, experimental, and new media projects in various stages of production.

Grants are available in the following amounts (Tier 1 – Tier 4):

• Development: $250, $500, $750, or $1000
• Production: $500, $1000, $2500, or $5000
• Post-production: $250, $500, $1000, or $2500
• Film Festival Applications: $100, $250, $500, or $750

There are three grant cycles throughout each year (Spring/Summer/Fall).
Each cycle has its own unique application deadline:

• Spring: January 1st
• Summer: June 1st
• Fall: August 1st

SFFILM Documentary Film Fund - Deadline Jul 7

The SFFILM Documentary Film Fund (DFF) supports engaging documentaries in post-production which exhibit compelling stories, intriguing characters, and an original, innovative visual approach. Since its launch in 2011, the SFFILM Documentary Film Fund has distributed more than $900,000 to advance new work by filmmakers nationwide.

• Grant opens March 3rd, 2026
• Regular Deadline June 9th, 2026 (Application Fee $30)
• Final Deadline July 7th, 2026 (Application Fee $50)
• Finalists Notified in late September 2026
• Recipients Announced in late October 2026

APPLY NOW

Artists with Disabilities Access Program

Provides funding that gives individual artists with disabilities the resources they need to further their artistic development. Creative expression by artists of all abilities is essential to building dynamic and diverse communities throughout Ohio. ADAP awards help artists with disabilities advance their artistic practices, making Ohio a more accessible and inclusive place to build an artistic career. 

Assembly for the Arts: Financial & Funding Resources

Assembly for the Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a focus on advocacy, cultural policy, racial equity initiatives, research, marketing that elevates the region, and services for nonprofits, artists, and creative businesses.

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture Grants

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture believes that investing in arts and culture inspires our community, builds stronger neighborhoods and ultimately enhances the quality of life for all Cuyahoga County residents. This is achieved through our primary grants: General Operating Support, Project Support, and Cultural Heritage.

Decentralized Pictures Foundation

Decentralized Pictures (DCP) is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization seeking to discover new and innovative filmmaking talent. They run a democratic film fund that allows their online community of creatives, film fans, and industry professionals to decide who is most deserving of their support. Submit your film idea, and if the world loves it, they’ll help you make it.

Film Independent 

Explore opportunities for Fellowships and Grants through Film Independent!
Film Independent awards over $845,000 in cash and production services to filmmakers each year. Film Independent Grants & Awards allow filmmakers to advance their current projects and help recognize professional accomplishments in independent film. With questions and for more information about Film Independent Grants & Awards, please email us at artistdevelopment@filmindependent.org.

Ohio Arts Council Grants

• The Ohio Arts Council’s grant programs are grouped into four categories supporting organizations, arts learning, and individual artists:

  • Operating Support | Awards to support an organization’s operations
  • Project Support | Awards to support organizational projects
  • Arts Learning | Awards to support purpose-driven experiences for educators and learners of all ages
  • Individual Artists | Awards that recognize excellence, preserve cultural traditions, and offer developmental support
  • Learn more about the grants they offer in each category by clicking here.

  Funding Resource Videos – OAC YouTube Channel

  • Artist Opportunities: Funding for Professional Growth
  • Ohio Arts Council Grants
  • Public Funding: The NEA & OAC

Rapid Action Grants

The Rapid Action Grant is designed to help boost artists’ ability to fund their creative projects and fill in the gaps when immediate needs arise. Cuyahoga County-based artists can request funds up to $2000* for immediate expenses. Applications are reviewed in the order that they are received and on a rolling basis throughout the year until all program funds have been distributed.

Spaces - Opportunities For Artists

SPACES commissions artists from around the world—at all stages of their careers—to make new work that is responsive to timely issues. They use these projects as a jumping off point to create educational initiatives that help develop a more informed citizenry. They also distribute grants to artists outside of their residency and exhibition programs.

DISTRIBUTION

Film Festival Submission Process

Enter the world’s best festivals. Over 12,000 of the world’s best film festivals and screenplay contests, including 197 Academy Award / BAFTA Award accredited festivals, use FilmFreeway to reach over two million filmmakers worldwide.

Think Outside The Box Office

In writing his book Think Outside the Box Office (TOTBO), Jon Reiss drew on his own experiences distributing his film Bomb It, in addition to interviews with countless other filmmakers, distributors, publicists, web programmers, festival programmers and marketing experts to create the first step-by-step nuts and bolts guide to marketing and distributing a film in the 21st century. Jon’s goal was to provide a written resource to help other filmmakers and media content creators achieve their goals in distributing and marketing their films.

This mission continues but now includes a live educational experience to accompany the information found in the book.