Funding and Fellowship Opportunities for Filmmakers - Late 2025 Deadlines
As we move toward the end of the year, the window for several 2026 fellowships and funding opportunities is closing. If you are developing a film that can move audiences or bring forward urgent stories, this is a good moment to refine your pitch package or pull together submission materials before the holidays. Below is a curated list of current opportunities spanning feature documentary, short films, narrative projects, screenwriting, climate storytelling, development labs, and residency programs. Each one offers a pathway to support, visibility, and impact.
Consider which of your current or upcoming projects best aligns with these programs and whether the opportunity fits timing and next steps. Here is what is open now:
1. The Blacklist 2026 NRDC Climate Storytelling Fellowship
Supports revision of a feature screenplay or pilot engaging with climate change through compelling storytelling grounded in character, plot, setting, action, or emotional arc. Three writers receive $20,000 each.
Deadline: November 28, 2025
2. Carole Dorothy Joyce Student Filmmaker Grant
For student filmmakers in university, community college, extension programs, or high school. Supports filmmakers starting or completing films that make a contribution to society. Projects must be budgeted under $50,000 and can be short or feature, narrative or documentary.
Deadline: November 30, 2025
3. Borderless Frames Indie Filmmaker Grant
Awards $35,000 to a filmmaker with a short film up to 40 minutes from any year within the last decade. Open to all genres. Useful for finishing or elevating existing work.
Deadline: November 30, 2025
4. The Blacklist 2026 Cassian Elwes Independent Screenwriting Fellowship
Designed to identify emerging voices in independent cinema. One screenwriter receives an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2026 Sundance Film Festival to meet with producer Cassian Elwes.
Deadline: December 1, 2025
5. Redford Center 2026 Nature Connection Pitch at DC/DOX
Offers up to $30,000 plus impact training, travel, accommodation, and festival passes. Focuses on stand-alone short documentaries no more than 30 minutes that explore environmental stories about restoring humanity’s connection with nature.
Deadline: December 3, 2025
6. Sundance Institute Graton Fellowship
For filmmakers from California-based tribes, both federally and non-federally recognized. Two fellows receive $25,000 each and a yearlong development support.
Deadline: December 4, 2025
7. Film Independent Documentary Story Lab 2026
A spring lab focused on directors in late production or early post. Includes workshops, funder sessions, and guidance from established directors. Ideal for filmmakers entering the edit or assembly phase.
Deadline: December 15, 2025
8. The Blacklist 2026 Black List x WIF Episodic Lab
For non-professional television writers of underrepresented gender identities. Includes script development, pitch workshopping, and industry master classes. Runs four weeks in Los Angeles starting March 2026.
Deadline: December 15, 2025
9. Chicken & Egg Films Research and Development Grant
Open call launches December 3. Supports women and gender-expansive filmmakers developing feature-length documentaries. Grants of $10,000 for research and $20,000 for development.
Early bird deadline: January 7, 2026
Final deadline: February 4, 2026
10. Film Independent Amplifier Fellowship
Supports emerging Black filmmakers working in fiction, nonfiction, or episodic formats. Offers an approximately $30,000 unrestricted grant. (See Grants and Awards)
11. Sundance Ignite Fellowship
For filmmakers aged 18 to 25 with short films between 1 and 15 minutes. Offers a $3,000 artist grant and mentorship.
12. Impact Partners Development Fund
Provides $10,000 to $100,000 in development equity investment for early-stage feature documentaries.
13. MacDowell Residency
Prestigious artist residency in New Hampshire supporting filmmakers, among other disciplines. Provides housing, meals, and studio space.
Typical deadlines: February and September
14. BFI Flare x BAFTA Mentoring Programme
For UK-based LGBTQIA+ creatives developing first features, pilots, or online commissions. Offers one-to-one mentoring and BAFTA Connect membership.
Final Thoughts
As the calendar resets many filmmakers are wrapping production cycles or entering new phases of post. Take time to look at your current slate and ask whether any of your projects could benefit from outside development support or early-stage funding. Fellowships and labs are not just financial. They create momentum, deepen impact strategy, and help clarify story direction before committing full resources.
If you would like help refining a pitch or one-page, aligning materials with these application requirements, or building an application timeline, feel free to reach out through my site. I will be posting more funding roundups and case studies early next year.