CFAs: Narrative Short Film Grant Program (United States)

This program will be accepting short fiction films. The Berkeley FILM Foundation acknowledges the growing need for funding of short fiction film projects by East Bay filmmakers and will be holding this program as an annual event in the fall moving forward.

Funding Information

• BFF has two tiers of grants available to filmmakers in the Narrative Film Grant Program: special awards (listed below) and general grants. Student grants are not being offered for this program. Students that apply for a narrative grant must apply for a general grant. The number of general grants available has yet to be determined:
  • General Grants: General grants awarded will range between $5,000 -$10,000. The amount of the award will be determined by several aspects of the application including (but not limited to) the line items outlined in the project budget, the intended use of the grant, the stage of the project you are in and the team behind the project. If you receive less money than you asked for, it is usually because we have run low on allocated funds but want to support the project for its creativity or cultural or social relevancy and BFF’s small grant will help inspire other organizations to give larger amounts.
  •  The Saul Zaentz Awards: Two separate $25,000 grants: This has historically been the Berkeley FILM Foundation’s highest award given each year and is our most prestigious. This is the first year we are introducing a second Saul Zaentz Award for $25,000. These films are chosen during final deliberation of the review committee and these films will embody the mission and purpose of the organization and its commitment to social justice. The grants are named after world-renowned film producer, Saul Zaentz, who was an original founder of the Berkeley FILM Foundation.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be considered for this grant, you must work or live in the city of Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond, Oakland or Alameda. You must provide a valid street address for application. PO Box addresses will not be accepted. Applicants may submit one project for consideration per funding cycle.
•  The applicant must be
  • The Director, co-director, Producer or co-Producer of the films. Organizations may not apply.
  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • BFF will not consider a new film proposal from a former grant recipient until the prior funded film is completed. If you have won a grant from BFF in the past, you will only be eligible if it is a non-consecutive year that you are applying, and it must be in a different category. For example, if you won a previous grant in the “production stage” you would then need to apply in the “post-production” stage.
• Eligible Genre
  • Short Form Narratives (40 minutes or less)

Ineligibility Criteria

• Not Eligible
  • Long Form Narratives (40 minutes or longer)
  • Broadcast reality entertainment
  • Advertising Commercials
  • Industrial or Corporate Media
  • Animation over 30 minutes
  • Music Videos
  • Gallery or museum installations
  • Documentary shorts
  • Documentary features
• They do not fund:
  • Retroactive costs
  • Deferred costs
  • Media projects other than film or video.
  • Organizational projects for internal or promotional use.
  • General operating expenses of companies or organizations.

For more information, visit Berkeley Film Foundation.