NewFest’s New Voices Filmmaker Grant, supported by Netflix, supports emerging LGBTQ+ directors by providing funding to make new work, assisting in getting their work more widely shared, and propelling their careers forward through mentorship, networking and professional development opportunities.
Donor Name: NewFest
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/13/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Grant seeks to support underrepresented voices in the film industry, and provides a $25,000 unrestricted grant to 4 emerging directors.
In addition to the $25,000 grant and industry mentorship, fellows will also participate in events and have their work showcased at NewFest’s New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival, one of the largest queer film festivals in the world. Fellows will also have the opportunity to travel as guests of NewFest to other North American film festivals.
Submissions are accepted from emerging LGBTQ+ directors who make documentary/nonfiction, narrative, and/or animated film/episodic projects for and about the LGBTQ+ community.
Eligibility Criteria
At the time of application, eligible filmmakers:
- Are at least 18 years of age.
- Identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Currently live in the US, have resided in the US continuously for at least the past two years, and plan to reside in the US for the full duration of the grant period (through June 2026), regardless of the filmmaker’s citizenship or immigration status.
- Have previously directed at least one (1) short film or episodic inclusive of LGBTQ+ content that was completed within the past 3 years (since January 2022).
- Have not previously directed a completed feature-length film (over 60 mins), even if self-funded or without distribution.
- Must not have formal representation (i.e. are not currently signed with an agent and/or manager).
- Must not have entered a distribution deal for any of their directorial work in which they both received monetary compensation and granted exclusive North American distribution rights to a third-party distributor.
Application Guidelines
All applications must be received via the Airtable application form and include:
- Resume/CV
- Links to 1-3 completed work samples (totalling no more than 25 minutes). At least one work sample must have been completed within the past three years (since January 2022). Any additional work samples must have been completed within the past five years (no earlier than January 2020).
- Artist Statement (max 600 words): Tell us about yourself and your directorial vision. Please provide a statement that includes your (1) background, (2) reflections on your previous experience(s) directing and/or working on additional film/media projects, and (3) artistic approach to LGBTQ+ storytelling.
- Statement of Intent (max 400 words): What are your goals as a filmmaker, and what would you plan to do with the grant funds should you be selected as a recipient? Please describe what specific project(s) you would pursue with grant support and what you hope to accomplish within the grant period (July 2025-June 2026).
For more information, visit NewFest.
