PANO Microgrants

Award Amount: Typically $500-$1,000+ per award (amount varied by round and project category)

Geographic Scope: Primarily open to underrepresented filmmakers, with preference for women, non-binary, and gender non-conforming creators

Fund Categories (varied by round):

• Production costs
• Post-production services (editing, color grading, scoring)
• Equipment rental or purchase
• Festival or competition submission fees
• Film education or training
• Pre-production or development
• Distribution services
• Career building support
• Community organizing

Eligibility:

• Must identify as woman, non-binary, or gender non-conforming filmmaker
• Projects by underrepresented filmmakers prioritized
• PANO membership may be required (check specific round details)
• Individual applicants (not teams, typically)

What They Fund:

• Various project stages from pre-production to distribution
• Equipment and professional development
• Lab and festival submissions
• Training and education in filmmaking crafts

Special Grants (Past Rounds):

• Color Grading Grant (Rounds 2-4): Provided by Marika Litz for color grading services
• In-Kind Grants (Round 4): Including lighting and grip rental from MBS Group + Insight Equipment

Background: PANO Microgrants provided accessible funding to early-career and emerging filmmakers. Six rounds of grants were awarded between 2021 and 2024. Winners were selected by panels of industry professionals including filmmakers, programmers, and film institute leaders.

Application Process

Submission Timeline:

• Round 1 (2021): Over 140 applicants; 26 semi-finalists selected; 10 winners announced August 2, 2021
• Round 2 (2022): Semi-finalists announced spring 2022; winners announced mid-June 2022
• Round 4 (2024): Semi-finalists announced; winners announced later in month
• Rounds open periodically; check website for current application windows

Selection Process:

1. Initial screening of all applications
2. Semi-finalists selected (approximately 25-50+ depending on round)
3. Semi-finalist projects reviewed by jury panel
4. Final winners selected by judging committee
5. Winners announcement and notification

Judging Panels (Past Rounds):

• Round 1: Kia Brooks (Gotham Film & Media Institute), Caryn Coleman (Film Programmer), Ekwa Msangi (Filmmaker)
• Round 2: Christine Swanson (P-Valley, Roswell New Mexico), Anu Valia (She Hulk: Attorney at Law), Joanna Naugle (The Bear, Ramy), Laura Fielder (The Black TV & Film Collective)

Materials Required:

• Project description/synopsis
• Category of need (production, post-production, equipment, education, festival fees, etc.)
• Budget details
• Timeline
• Filmmaker bio/resume

Application Submission:

• Online application portal (details on PANO website during open application windows)
• Specific requirements vary by round; check announcement for current round details

Notification:

• Semi-finalists announced first
• Winners announced following jury deliberation
• Direct notification to winners
• Public announcement on PANO website and social media