How much funding does New Voices Filmmaker Grant provide?

New Voices Filmmaker Grant provides $25,000 in funding.

When is the deadline for New Voices Filmmaker Grant?

This grant has a rolling deadline or the deadline has not been announced.

New Voices Filmmaker Grant

The New Festival Inc

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Funding Amount

$25,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

New Voices Filmmaker Grant

Funder: NewFest, in partnership with Netflix

Status: Applications open for 2025 cycle

Award Amount: $25,000 per recipient

Number of Awards: 4 emerging directors receive grants annually

Program Overview

The New Voices Filmmaker Grant is an initiative in partnership with Netflix to support emerging LGBTQ+ filmmakers. Recipients receive professional development support, network-building opportunities through industry events, and access to a mentorship track facilitated by NewFest.

Geographic Scope

United States - Eligible to LGBTQ+ filmmakers in America

Focus Areas

Support for emerging LGBTQ+ filmmakers
Professional development and career advancement
Creation of new work across film formats (narrative, documentary, animation, experimental)

Eligibility Requirements

Be LGBTQ+ filmmakers in America
Have NOT previously made a feature-length film, OR
Have NEVER had a film (short, episodic, or feature length) publicly distributed with an exclusive and compensated agreement

What the Grant Includes

$25,000 grant to support professional development and create new work
Industry mentorship - Access to connect with an industry mentor relevant to applicant's work
Network-building opportunities through industry events and partner organizations
Industry engagement - Opportunity to connect with partner organizations, industry markets, consultants, and leaders in the field
Festival showcase - Participation in NewFest's New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival (one of the largest queer film festivals in the world) with work showcased in events

Partnership

Part of Netflix's Fund for Creative Equity, an effort to help create more behind-the-camera opportunities for underrepresented communities within the TV and film industries.

Program History

Inaugural year (2022): 4 recipients - Blanche Akonchong, Livia Huang, Rodney Llaverías, and Nyala Moon
2023 recipients: Terrance Daye, Drew de Pinto, Emily May Jampel, and LaQuan Lewis
2024 recipients: Program continued with 4 new recipients
2025 cycle: Applications currently open

Past Recipient Success

Nyala Moon (2022 recipient) completed her short film "DILATING FOR MAXIMUM RESULTS" with grant support, which won the Grand Jury Award at Seattle's TRANSlations Film Festival in May 2023.

Contact

For more information: newfest.org

How to Apply

Application Process

Current Status: Applications open for 2025 New Voices Filmmaker Grant

Application Requirements

Short-form work samples
Application materials (specific requirements available on eligibility + FAQ page)

Selection Process

1. Applications and short-form work samples reviewed by grant evaluators consisting of: - LGBTQ+ programmers - Critics - Agents - Community leaders - NewFest staff - Established filmmakers - Industry professionals

2. Final selections decided by external jury of film and industry experts

Evaluation Criteria

Clear artistic perspective and vision
Confident storytelling prowess
Commitment to new modes of storytelling
Vital collective spirit to have LGBTQ+ films made, seen, and heard
Work samples showing range of LGBTQ+ experiences and cinematic storytelling techniques

Note

Full application details, specific submission requirements, and narrative questions are available on the Eligibility + FAQ page linked from the application portal.

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