Filmmaking Grants- Production Grant

Filmmaking Grants- Production Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Southern Documentary Fund
Amount: US $15,000
Last Updated: July 15, 2025

Summary

The Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) offers a Production Grant aimed at supporting Southern documentary filmmakers. With funding made possible by the MacArthur Foundation, SDF prioritizes nonfiction projects in production that showcase the rich tapestry of Southern stories. Up to seven grants of $15,000 each will be awarded to help elevate underrepresented voices and narratives. Applicants must have ties to Southern states and meet specific eligibility criteria to apply.

Overview

Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) is a trusted partner for veteran, emerging, and first time documentary makers across our region, helping them direct their lenses and microphones at powerful Southern stories and critical issues. Southern Documentary Fund is dedicated to supporting Southern makers and stories. Mission Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) champions Southern documentary makers and stories. Inspired by our belief in the power of media to educate and change lives, we provide documentarians with diverse resources, including grants, fiscal sponsorship, community dialogue, training, and mentorship–all to promote Southern stories and lower barriers for documentary makers and underrepresented voices. Values Southern documentary makers will be known and celebrated for their projects that educate, inspire, and entertain. SDF is committed to: Providing access, educational opportunities, and resources for documentary makers and underrepresented voicesPromoting the richness and complexity of Southern stories Revealing truths, large and small, about the world around usChampioning creativity and freedom of expression for Southern makersBuilding community and connecting documentarians and audiences across the region SDF Production Grant This grant is made possible by the generous support of The MacArthur Foundation. Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) cultivates documentaries made in or about the American South. This program is for Southern makers. We will fund: Nonfiction documentaries (shorts, features, docuseries, and experimental). Projects must be in production. We seek to bring visibility to Southern makers and stories that are oftentimes overlooked. We will award up to seven makers with grants of $15,000 each to assist them in production.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Project Directors should reside or have deep roots in one of the following Southern states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia.Applicants must have a U.S. social security number or U.S. federal tax ID number. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Applicants must not be enrolled in a film school and/or seeking funds for a student project.

Ineligibility

Applicants must not be enrolled in a film school and/or seeking funds for a student project.Proposals for research, development, post-production, distribution or engagement/impact funding are not eligible to apply for this grant. The following projects are ineligible for funding and will NOT be considered:The applicant and project do not meet the above listed eligibility requirements. Non-documentary projects. Projects that meet our criteria, but have an incomplete application and/or are missing support materials. Projects submitted after the submission deadline. Projects that have already received production funds from SDF.