Grants & Funding
Deep Throat said it best, "Follow the money." Filmmaking is a game of following the funding until you've got enough to get your project made. This post spotlights two important independent film funding sources.
John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
90 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Tel 212-687-4470
Fax 212-697-3278
http://www.gf.org
Email: fellowships@gf.org
The Fellowships are awarded to men and women who have already demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts. The Foundation consults with distinguished scholars and artists regarding the accomplishments and promise of the applicants and presents this evidence to the Committee of Selection. Appointments are ordinarily made for one year, and in no instance for a period shorter than six consecutive months.
The amounts of the grants will be adjusted to the needs of the Fellows, considering their other resources and the purpose and scope of their plans. Members of the teaching profession receiving sabbatical leave on full or part salary are eligible for appointment, as are holders of other Fellowships and of appointments at research centers. In 2005 the Foundation awarded 186 United States and Canadian Fellowships for a total of $7,112,000 (an average grant of $38,236). There were 3,008 applicants. Application Forms for the 2006 Fellowship competitions will become available in July 2005.
Independent Television Service (ITVS)
501 York Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
Tel: 415-356 8383
Fax: 415-356 8391
http://www.itvs.org
Email: itvs@itvs.org
ITVS funds, distributes and promotes new programs made by independent producers primarily, but not exclusively, for public television. ITVS favors proposals that present a diverse range of subjects, viewpoints and forms that complement and challenge existing public television offerings. Their web site provides information about producing for ITVS, including funding applications, articles and tips.
All U.S. production funding requests must be submitted in accordance with ITVS Funding Guidelines. For ITVS International funding (IMDF) see Key Guidelines and other information below. We encourage you to fill out your applications online. The online application will be available two months prior to each funding deadline. Note: You may apply to only one ITVS funding initiative per round.
