For many aspiring and amateur filmmakers, it can be a struggle finding an investor or finances to get a film or idea into the development and production stages. Finding and funding the cast and crew can be expensive, even when planning on low-budget production.
Many organizations are set up to provide finances and equipment for filming. This article focuses on the most important funding organizations.
Tribeca All Access
The Tribeca All Access fund was launched in 2004 and provides annual support to passionate and motivated directors, writers, and producers who reside in underserved communities in the US film industry.
This flagship program focuses on fiction and documentary storytellers and provides a full range of services for aspiring filmmakers needing funds.
The fund seeks feature-length scripted and documentary projects from established and emerging storytellers whose film director is from a community systematically excluded from the US film industry.
Oppenheimer New Filmmaker Grant Program
The Oppenheimer Cine Rental New Filmmaker Equipment Grant Program is a grant to support new filmmakers in producing their first serious film project. The grant provides the filmmakers with camera packages to senior and graduate thesis students and independent filmmakers for a scheduled period.
The program provides all the equipment needed to get into production and shooting the film.
Film Independent Sloan Distribution Grant
The Sloan Distribution Grant is a $50,000 grant awarded by Film Independent to a film that is entering the distribution phase. The film must depict themes, stories, and characters based on real science, technology, or economics to be eligible for the grant.
The program encourages filmmakers to create more realistic and compelling stories about science, technology, and to challenge stereotypes surrounding scientists and engineers.
Other than distribution funding, they also support screenplay development programs with the Sundance Institute, Tribeca Film Institute, and more.
To be considered for the grants, qualifying filmmakers need to submit applications on the website during the application periods.
AT&T Film Awards
The AT&T Film Awards seeks aspiring creators to shape the future of entertainment and the film industry through innovative filmmaking. They support and reward excellence in filmmaking with $60,000 in cash and prizes.
Some of the biggest prizes include featured screenings during SHAPE at the Warner Bros Studios and the opportunity to network with executives in the film industry.
The film awards were launched in 2016 and still stands as a competition and program created to support, reward, and nurture aspiring professionals in filmmaking across the UK.