Submissions open for AFAC’s Cinema Program

For feature-length films, the program welcomes submissions by Arab directors whose projects are in development, production, or post-production phases. For short films, the program supports projects in production and post-production, provided the director has not previously made a feature film.

Funding Information

• For feature-length films, the Cinema program provides up to USD 10,000 in development grants, up to USD 50,000 in production grants, and up to USD 25,000 in post-production grants.
• For short and medium-length films, the program provides up to USD 20,000 in production grants and up to USD 10,000 in post-production grants.

What does the Grant Cover?

• AFAC grants are intended for project production, including research and development phases. They may cover project-related expenses, including but not limited to materials, space or equipment rentals, and fees for artistic and technical labor and collaboration.
• A Director and producer fee of not more than 30% of the total grant amount is also an allowable expense. If you are hesitant about how this works, you can always contact them with questions before submitting your final budget.
• Given the high demand for production support, AFAC cannot guarantee that all selected grantees will receive their requested amounts in full. They encourage applicants to diversify their sources of funding whenever possible.
• AFAC does not offer mobility grants, but travel expenses that are part of a project’s implementation and/or research may be covered by the grant.
• AFAC will not provide support retroactively to projects that have already been completed.
• For projects that have already started, they cover only expenses occurring after the agreement’s signature date.
• AFAC launches two open calls every year for its different grant programs. The first is open to applications for Creative and Critical Writings, Documentary Film, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts grants. The second call is open to applications for Cinema, Music, Documentary Photography and Training & Regional Events grants. Each applicant (individual or institution) can only submit one application during each open call.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Cinema grant program is open to applications from Arab directors and producers living in the Arab region or the diaspora. A non-Arab producer can apply for a grant provided that the film director is Arab. It is highly recommended that film projects applying to the production and post-production grants have producers attached to them.
• Project applications are accepted irrespective of age, years of experience, country of residence, ethnicity, gender, or religion.
• A film producer is eligible to apply with a maximum of two projects per category per cycle, provided the two projects are not attached to the same director.

Ineligible

• AFAC will not consider applications submitted by:
  • Members of the AFAC board of trustees, their business partners, or family members.
  • AFAC staff members, their business partners, or family members.
  • Members of the current year’s reader and juror committees.
  • Applicants with a current open grant.
  • A director who already has an open grant from AFAC (regardless of whether the contract is in their name or the producer’s name).
  • Recipients of grants in two consecutive years will not be eligible to apply for the next two consecutive years. For example, if you received a grant in 2021 and another one in 2022, you will only be eligible to re-apply in 2025.
  • Film producers who have an open grant can apply with another project. If they have two open grants, they are not eligible to apply before the completion of one of the projects.
  • If a grantee has received two grants for the same film project, they cannot apply for post-production.

For more information, visit AFAC.