A panel of film industry professionals will review a select group of documentary filmmaker projects for funding consideration. Filmmakers will provide detailed story outlines and budgets for their works in progress or new projects. Filmmakers will screen a three (3) minute preview of their film projects before the industry panel and take part in a 10 minute Q&A.

After the industry pitch, the filmmakers will screen their preview to a public audience prior to a regular festival screening, perform a quick Q & A with the audience, and then at end of the closing awards ceremony, the fund winner(s) will be announced. Winning filmmakers will be required to share their finished film at the American Documentary Film Festival within the first year of completion. All filmmakers submitting for this fund must be U.S. citizens or legal residents in order to participate and they must be in attendance at the  festival for the Film Fund pitch itself and the closing awards ceremony. The festival shall provide accommodations.

We are proud to share the American Documentary Film Fund with independent American filmmakers who will participate and compete for financing for new projects as well as works in progress.  An amount up to $50,000 may be awarded or distributed in any given year.  (View our past Film Fund winners.)

To Apply