Catapult Film Fund
/OVERVIEW: The Catapult Film Fund makes research and development grants for the production of compelling documentary films.
IP TAKE: The Catapult Film Fund believes “in taking a chance on filmmakers who have ideas for artful and compelling nonfiction films that inspire us to think differently about the world.” If your documentary film project is “risky” or “at a stage where funding […] is hard to find,” this funder could be an invaluable source of support. Expect stiff competition, however, as this is a highly competitive space. Most grant recipients appear to have significant experience in principal production roles. Keep up with new opportunities and application due dates by signing up for the fund’s newsletter.
PROFILE: Documentary film makers Lisa Kleiner Chanoff and Bonni Cohen co-founded the Catapult Film Fund as a way to “fill a gap in the documentary funding landscape.” The fund’s stated mission is to support “nonfiction filmmakers with critical early-stage funding and mentorship to launch distinctive, story-driven, and cinematic films.” It makes grants for research and development and runs a Rough Cut Retreat mentorship program.
Grants for Film
The Catapult Film Fund’s grantmaking programs support research and development for “compelling” documentary films.
Research grants support “diverse filmmakers in the U.S. with funding and dedicated mentorship to support the early conception of new nonfiction projects.” Funding may be used for a range of expenses associated with film development, including but not limited to “research, writing, travel, crew, identifying and gaining access to protagonists, and any preliminary production costs associated with shaping the artistic vision or capturing early footage.” The theme of this program may shift from year to year, with a recent grant cycle focusing on “filmmaker sustainability and diversity.”
Grantseekers are required to submit a letter of inquiry via the fund’s grant portal by a due date in early October, and invitations for full proposals are generally issued in late November. The fund annually awards five $10,000 research grants. See profiles of past grantees here.
Development grants provide “early-stage support to documentary filmmakers when funding is hardest to find.” The program targets “independent filmmakers who have a strong story to tell, have secured access, and are ready to unlock critical production funding.” Funding may support a broad range of production needs, but grantees must also create their own “fundraising piece as the final deliverable.”
This program generally awards between 15 and 20 grants per year in amounts of up to $25,000. Applications are accepted via the fund’s application portal. The due date for applications typically falls in mid April. See profiles of past grantees here.
Catapult’s Rough Cut Retreat is an “immersive mentorship experience” that “unites nonfiction filmmakers and mentors in a creative, supportive, and engaged atmosphere.” The retreat typically takes place in July but moves to a new location each year. Most participants are “first or second time feature filmmakers” with a project in “the rough cut state” at the time of the retreat. Two members of filmmaking teams from five selected films are invited to attend
This program accepts applications via the program’s online submission form. Profiles of past participants are provided at the program’s web page.
Important Grant Details:
Catapult’s research grants are generally awarded in the amount of $10,000, while its development grants are awarded in amounts of up to $25,000.
Grant awards are not payable to individuals; recipients must be able to accept funding via a nonprofit or fiscal sponsoring organization.
This funder does not support “student films, docuseries, fiction projects, or projects that are in production, post-production, or completed.” However, it will consider some hybrid or experimental film formats.
This funder accepts applications for all of its programs, but eligibility, guidelines and due dates differ by program. Be sure to read the program page carefully before applying.
Each program page provides information about past grantees and supported film projects.
Submit questions to the Catapult Film Fund via email at info@catapultfilmfund.org.
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