Filmmaker Fund
/OVERVIEW: The Filmmaker Fund supports documentary filmmakers with grants and an annual creative retreat. It also funds graduate journalism education related to documentary film.
IP TAKE: The Filmmaker Fund’s recent work appears to focus on specific programs relating to documentary film at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism. Its grantmaking for independent documentary productions, meanwhile, has declined. The fund no longer accepts applications for either its grants or its creative retreat in Sonoma. Grantseekers may, however, email the foundation with “a story to tell, an idea to share or word to spread” for assistance with “with narrative exploration, director contacts and production strategies.”
PROFILE: Founded by the financier David Eckles and Minette Nelson, a former advertising executive, the Filmmaker Fund is “committed to both proven and emerging filmmakers.” Focusing specifically on documentary film, it offers help from the early production stages to distribution and seeks to “to remove the obstacles that lie in the way of great work.” In addition to grants, this funder supports documentary film makers with its annual retreat in Sonoma, California and support for documentary programming at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism.
Grants for Film, Journalism and Higher Education
The Filmmaker Fund’s grantmaking and engagement focuses on the craft and production of documentary films.
The fund makes grants of up to $75,000 to documentary filmmakers and simultaneously provides “support at every stage of production, post production and distribution.” This program is not currently accepting applications for funding. See examples of funded films at the program’s Films Funded page.
The fund runs an annual Creative Retreat in Sonoma. The retreat presents an opportunity for “directors, producers and editors to delve into their creative process” and experience “a fundamental pause in which the narrative can be fully explored.” This program is not currently accepting applications.
The fund provides funding to two documentary film education programs at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism.
The Fine Cut Fund provides “direct grants to students to defray the hard costs of documentary production—travel and shooting expenses, and outlays for equipment and research.”
The Marlon T. Riggs Fellowship Fund supports students “the school’s most promising documentary student” with a scholarship for the program’s annual tuition.
Important Grant Details:
The Filmmaker Fund’s grants are awarded in amounts of up to $75,000, although tax filings show that most grants remain under $25,000.
This funder appears to be consolidating its giving around documentary film education programs at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism. It is unclear if it will continue its support of independent documentary productions.
For examples of past grantees, see the Films Funded page.
The Filmmaker Fund no longer accepts applications for its grants or annual creative retreat.
Direct general inquiries to the Filmmaker Fund via email at info@filmmakerfund.com.
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