Bushwick Film Festival Fiscal Sponsorship Program

The Bushwick Film Festival's Filmmaker Fiscal Sponsorship Program helps independent filmmakers secure funding for their projects.

  • What is Fiscal Sponsorship?
    Fiscal sponsorship is a partnership between your creative project and the Bushwick Film Festival. It allows us, as a nonprofit 501(c)(3), to help you secure grants and tax-deductible donations while you focus on bringing your film to life. This collaboration aligns your vision with our mission to champion storytelling and independent filmmaking.

    How Can This Benefit My Project?
    Funding can often be a hurdle for filmmakers, but fiscal sponsorship opens doors. With our support, you can apply for grants and accept donations requiring nonprofit backing. You maintain creative control while we manage the administrative and legal responsibilities to ensure everything runs smoothly.

    What Kind of Projects Are Eligible?
    We exclusively sponsor film projects, including both narrative and documentary works. If your film aligns with our mission to amplify diverse and compelling stories, we’d love to hear from you. Not sure if your project qualifies? Contact us, and we’ll help you figure it out.

    How Does It Work?
    Applying is simple and costs just $30. Once approved, you can start fundraising under our sponsorship. We charge a 10% administrative fee on all funds raised, which helps cover the costs of managing the program and supporting your project.

    What’s the Timeline?
    Applications typically take 2-4 weeks to review. If you have a grant deadline or a donor ready to contribute, expedited reviews (around two weeks) are available in certain cases. Let us know if you need an expedited process, and we’ll do our best to accommodate.

    Can This Work for One-Time Grants?
    Absolutely! We can facilitate one-time pass-through grants. For ongoing sponsorship, however, we require active fundraising and alignment with our mission.

    How Do I Apply?
    Submit your application through our online portal and start the process. If you have any questions or need guidance, reach out to us at info@bushwickfilmfestival.com. We’re happy to assist.

    Why Do You Charge a Fee?
    Administering fiscal sponsorship involves significant administrative, legal, and operational work. The 10% fee allows us to offer this service while ensuring compliance and providing you with the support you need to succeed.

    Anything Else I Should Know?
    Fiscal sponsorship gives you the tools to fund your work without sacrificing creative control. Whether you’re making a short film, feature, or documentary, this program is designed to empower you and bring your vision to life.

    Let’s Work Together
    Got a project idea? Questions? Concerns? We’re here to help. Let’s collaborate to make your film a reality and amplify your story through the power of community and creativity.

  • Ready to apply? Fill out this form and we’ll get back to you within 2-4 weeks!

Current Fiscally Sponsored Projects

Here are the incredible films currently under our Fiscal Sponsorship Program! Learn more about each project below. You can support these filmmakers by making a tax-deductible donation using the link below.

Donate

Our Hoolocks

Barekuri, a quaint cluster of villages located in the biodiversity hotspot of Northeast India is home to the country’s only ape species, the Hoolock Gibbons. The villagers have been looking after the species for over a century and consider the apes as kin. However, this animal-human harmony stands on a fragile ecological balance.

Following an oilfield blast that impacted the region in May 2020, Sidhanta, a 35-year-old local fisherman, is left to grapple with the aftermath of the hazardous oil blowout on his livelihood and the survival of the apes.

Our Hoolocks follows Sidhanta’s journey, as he fights for the survival of this endangered species of apes, the socio-economic ramifications of the disaster, and the moral dilemma of working on the new rig as a local contractor for Oil India Ltd.


The Writer

Two former lovers reconnect in New York decades after serving in the Soviet army together. As the men confront their personal and political past, the encounter turns increasingly heated.


New York Day Woman

Suzette, a first-generation Haitian-American woman from Flatbush Brooklyn, leads a double life, code-switching between her professional Manhattan persona and her Brooklyn roots. When she spots her mother on Madison Avenue during her lunch break, curiosity leads her to follow and uncover the truth about her mother's daily life. This unexpected journey forces Suzette to confront the generational gaps and sacrifices of immigrant families, ultimately prompting a profound exploration of her own identity, heritage, and family ties.