San Francisco Film Society

San Francisco Film Society

OVERVIEW: The San Francisco Film Society supports individual fiction and documentary filmmakers, screenwriters, and producers through its programs, which provide project development, residencies, and a number of different grants. Deadlines for individual grants vary throughout the year, so signing up for the newsletter is the best way to keep abreast of which ones are approaching.

IP TAKE: Grant seekers do not have to live in San Francisco to receive support from SFFS. Grants and other modes of support are available for filmmakers and screenwriters across the country.

PROFILE: The San Francisco Film Society supports individual filmmakers, screenwriters, and producers. The society seeks to provide "unparalleled assistance and opportunities including grants, prizes, development assistance, and residencies for working filmmakers at all stages of their careers." It funds residencies and a number of different grants and fellowships.

Grants for Film

Its grant program has awarded over $3.14 million since 2009 and supports several areas, including:

  • SFFILM Documentary Film Fund - Provides post-production support for documentaries "distinguished by compelling stories, intriguing characters, and an innovative visual approach." Grants range from $20,000 to $50,000 and deadlines are typically mid-year at the end of June.

  • SFFILM Rainin Filmmaking Grant Program - These grants are given in partnership with the Kenneth Rainin Foundation to support "films that address social justice issues—the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges—in a positive and meaningful way through plot, character, theme or setting.”

  • Sloan Science in Cinema Filmmaker Fellowship - Funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, this program awards fellowships to filmmakers and screenwriters who are developing a screenplay that tells a story related to science or technology. This fellowship includes a $35,000 cash grant and a two-month residency.

Grant seekers can find more information about the application process here. Grant seekers must be at least 18 years of age and have a key creative role in the project (i.e. producer or director). The more established grant seekers are in their profession, the more priority they will receive. The San Francisco Film Society is also careful to point out that winning a grant or fellowship does not necessarily entitle the recipient to be included in the San Francisco Film Festival (though they will be taken into consideration).

In addition to the grant and fellowship program SFFS also has a few Invitation-Only Programs. Projects supported through these programs are hand-picked from applicants to the other programs and initiatives and focus on artist development through fellowships, residencies, and career development workshops.

Important Grant Details

SFFS grants programs change from time to time. Curious grantseekers can see what types of programs the society has offered in the past and what types of projects it has supported at its Previous Grants Program page.

PEOPLE:

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