Berkeley Film Foundation (BFF) is excited to host its second annual Narrative Short Grant Program, which provides specific funding to narrative short films made by local filmmakers.
Donor Name: Berkeley Film Foundation (BFF)
State: California
Ciy: Seletced Cities
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/18/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Berkeley FILM Foundation will provide grants in pre-production, production, post-production and distribution for narrative short film projects.
The Berkeley FILM Foundation is interested in short films that use creative, thoughtful and innovative methods to tell a story with a strong theme of social or environmental justice. The review committee will be judging films based on originality, imagination, and technical skill.
Types of Grants
BFF has two tiers of grants available to filmmakers in the Narrative Film Grant Program: special awards and general grants. Separate student grants are currently not being offered for this program. Students applying 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.
- 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 the most prestigious. This is the first year they 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 produced award winning films such as “The Unbearable Lightness of Being”, “The English Patient” and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and 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.
For more information, visit BFF.
