Filmaker Resources
We’re still building this page, but we’re here to support you as you move forward in your creative journey. Whether you’re submitting to your first festival, applying for grants, or gathering tools to pitch and produce your work, you’ll find helpful guides, templates, and inspiration here. This space is being created with you—and your vision—in mind.
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How to submit (with FilmFreeway link)
Key deadlines (Early, Regular, Late, Extended)
FAQ: genres, runtime, premiere status, etc.
Past program
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Descripti
1. Vimeo Short Film Grant
https://vimeo.com/shortfilmgrant
Deadline: April 3
Amount: $30,000 (five awarded)
About: Production grant for original short films. Includes camera access, mentorship, and festival screenings.2. Chicken & Egg Pictures – Eggcelerator Lab
https://chickeneggpics.org/eggcelerator-lab
Deadline: April 11
Amount: $40,000 + mentorship + retreats
About: For women and gender-expansive non-fiction filmmakers on their first or second feature. Supports social change and underrepresented stories.3. JustFilms by Ford Foundation
https://www.fordfoundation.org/work/our-grants/justfilms/
Deadline: April 3
Amount: $25,000 to $100,000
About: For artist-driven, feature-length documentaries exploring social justice themes. Global submissions welcome.4. Catapult Film Fund – Rough Cut Retreat
https://catapultfilmfund.org/rough-cut-retreat/
Deadline: April 3
Amount: Retreat (no cash grant)
About: 5-day retreat for feature documentaries in rough cut stage. Includes mentorship with top editors and producers.5. Film Independent Documentary Producing Lab
https://www.filmindependent.org/programs/documentary/
Deadline: April 29
Amount: Mentorship + Lab (no cash)
About: Week-long lab for non-fiction producers (not directors). Includes industry coaching and networking opportunities.6. Shore Scripts Short Film Fund
https://www.shorescripts.com/shortfilmfund/
Deadline: April 2 (Regular), May 2 (Final)
Amount: $15,000 (production) + $4,000 (finishing)About: For emerging writers, directors, and producers to receive financial support for their short films.on text goes here
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Link to masterclass
Downloadable Festival Tracker spreadsheet
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Budget template (Google Sheet or PDF)
Call sheet and shooting schedule templates
Sample crew contract or agreement
Recommended tools (e.g. StudioBinder, Celtx, ShotDeck)
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Link to Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (NY + national)
Basic release forms (actor, location, music)
Intro to copyrights & fair use (cheat sheet)
Deal memo template for crew
Legal 101 for indie filmmakers (short article or video)
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Free therapy & support group directories (e.g., Open Path, Artist Thrive)
Self-care toolkit for production weeks
Daily mental wellness checklist
List of creative-focused wellness apps (e.g., Insight Timer, Moodnotes)
Artist interviews on mental health & burnout
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Overview of top platforms (e.g., FilmHub, Short of the Week, Seed&Spark)
Comparison chart: aggregator fees, reach, pros/cons
How to prep your film for distribution (specs, captions, etc.)
Festival-to-streaming strategy guide
Filmmaker stories: how they got their film distributed
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Pitch deck template
Example pitch decks from successful projects
What to include in a press kit