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For Us, By Us Filmmaker Incubator

Filmmakers Collaborative

Foundation Annual Grants for ArtsGrants for Creative Writing

Funding Amount

$1,750

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle
Annual
Tracked since
April 2026

From the program guidelines: “Status: Program runs March-September annually (2025 cohort application closed February 24, 2025)”

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

  • Live or work in the Bay Area (specified counties)

Other requirements

  • Be an emerging to mid-career documentary filmmaker
  • Working on a documentary project that centers a personal story within a Bay Area community not often seen in media
  • Film can be short or feature length
  • Available to participate in all program activities (two in-person required: March orientation and September screening)

Overview

For Us, By Us Filmmaker Incubator

Funder: Filmmakers Collaborative SF and Re-Present Media

Status: Program runs March-September annually (2025 cohort application closed February 24, 2025)

Award Amount: $1,750 stipend per selected project

Geographic Scope: Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, and Sonoma Counties)

Program Focus:

  • Supports emerging to mid-career documentary filmmakers

  • Centers on personal stories from Bay Area communities not often seen in media

  • Expands understanding of those who live in Bay Area communities, especially marginalized perspectives

    • What They Fund:

  • Six projects selected per cohort

  • Documentary projects (short or feature length)

  • Projects in pre-production with secured participants, production, or post-production stages

  • Personal stories focused on individuals, families, and communities (not primarily social issue narratives)

    • Eligibility Requirements:

  • Be an emerging to mid-career documentary filmmaker

  • Live or work in the Bay Area (specified counties)

  • Working on a documentary project that centers a personal story within a Bay Area community not often seen in media

  • Film can be short or feature length

  • Available to participate in all program activities (two in-person required: March orientation and September screening)

  • Co-directors may apply together but receive one stipend

    • What They Don't Fund:

  • Primarily social issue narratives (although social issues may intersect with personal stories)

  • Filmmakers not available to commit to program activities

    • Program Components:

  • $1,750 stipend to use according to filmmaker's development plan

  • Three months of workshops (twice monthly) led by working filmmakers and industry professionals

  • Three months of group mentoring sessions (twice monthly) with individual mentoring as needed

  • Works-in-progress screening at program end

  • One year of free Filmmakers Collaborative SF membership

  • Hybrid format (virtual and in-person options)

  • In-person activities at Ninth Street Independent Film Center (145 Ninth St, San Francisco)

    • Workshop Topics Covered:

  • Defining the story of your film

  • Defining realistic "success" for your film

  • Developing fundraising strategy and implementation plan

  • Developing distribution strategy and implementation plan

  • Creative process

  • Finishing your film

    • Contact:
    Amy: amy@filmmakerscollaborative.org

    Funding Support:
    This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    Application Deadline: February 24 (annual)

    Decision Timeline: Applicants informed of decisions by March 10

    Application Fee: None

    Required Materials:

  • Application form (available on website)

  • Documentary project details and description

    • Submission Format:

  • Online application form submission

  • Alternative submission methods available upon request

    • Accessibility Accommodations:

  • Accommodation requests available

  • Alternative submission methods can be arranged

    • Membership Requirements:

  • No need to be a Filmmakers Collaborative SF member to apply

  • Selected participants receive one year of free membership

    • Application Questions:

  • Preview of application questions available as PDF

  • Questions designed to understand filmmaker's connection to community and project

    • Contact for Questions:
    Amy: amy@filmmakerscollaborative.org

    Program Participation Requirements:

  • Participants expected to commit to attending all sessions

  • Two events must be attended in-person: welcome orientation (March 15) and screening event (September)

  • Other sessions can be attended virtually or in-person

  • Virtual participation option available for participants unable to attend in-person

    • Apply with Grantable Learn more

    What Filmmakers Collaborative actually gave

    Source: IRS Form 990 filing, 2024

    Grants in 2024
    4
    Total given
    $429K
    Median grant
    $12K
    Range
    $7,436–$398K
    • By dollars: California 100%. Top recipient cities: Lafayette, CA; Oakland, CA; San Francisco, CA.

    Example grants

    • Reel Link Films LLC · Lafayette, CA

      Filmmaking

      $398K

    • Counting Salmon LLC · Oakland, CA

      Filmmaking

      $12K

    • Nureality Productions LLC · San Francisco, CA

      Filmmaking

      $11K

    • Teethmarks Media Inc · Kentfield, CA

      Filmmaking

      $7,436

    IRS Form 990 filing, 2024. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    artscreative-writing

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