Calls for Submissions

The Cassian Elwes Independent Screenwriting Fellowship is an annual program designed to encourage and identify new talent in the field of independent cinema by awarding one screenwriter each year with an all-expenses paid trip to the 2025 Sundance Film Festival with producer Cassian Elwes (Mudbound, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, Dallas Buyers Club). The Cassian Elwes Independent Screenwriting Fellow will receive a festival pass to attend the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, which will take place January 23–February 2, 2025, with Mr. Elwes. In addition to screenings, the recipient will attend various meetings and events during the festival with Mr. Elwes. Deadline is November 22. Apply.

SR Socially Relevant Film Festival again welcomes submissions from NYWIFT members! The 12th edition scheduled for March 11-16, 2025, is opening at the National Arts Club with screenings at the Maysles Documentary Center and Cinema Village. The festival emphasizes climate change and the environment as among the most pressing social issues of our times. Over the past 11 years, they have screened 750 films from 40 countries. The first 25 submissions using code SR25NYWFW will have the submission fee waived. Members can use code SR25NYWDIS for a 30% discount for unlimited entries. Submit 

NYWIFT members are encouraged to submit to Holly Weird Film Festival (HWFF). HWFF celebrates independent films of all genres that feature a distinct vision, a unique voice, or an avant-garde challenge to what is expected or accepted. HWFF provides a venue for narrative, documentary, experimental and avant-garde film and video. Located in the heart of Hollyweird (Hollywood, California), the festival offers prizes in categories including Best Weird Film, Best Director, Best Short, Best Feature and more. Apply before the Regular Deadline on February 15, 2025 and use code HW2025 to get a discount applied to your submission fee. Submit today.

The submission deadline for the 2025 Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival (PHLAFF) is approaching, and NYWIFT members get a 50% discount off the submission fee. PHLAFF will include screenings of groundbreaking works from all genres: short film, narrative, documentary, animation and full feature films. Festival programs will attract a diverse audience, developing a new space in the Philadelphia region and beyond where content creators, storytellers, filmmakers, actors, producers and creatives can meet with other artists, engage with audiences and present and discuss innovative work. Regular deadline is November 15; late deadline is December 15. Use discount code C0114BPL4T1N255O. Submit.

Are you planning to pitch your next investor or collaborator and unsure how to get their buy-in? Looking for someone to hold you accountable and help propel your project or career forward? The Gotham Elevator Pitch Accountability Sprint is for you! Apply by November 15 and, if selected, you’ll be paired with another woman or nonbinary creator to be your partner to support you over two weeks in December (Dec 2 -13) along with the entire cohort to grow your network of collaborators. You’ll gain access to resources to write and present a two-minute elevator pitch, attend an Elevator Pitch workshop, and receive feedback from producers Maria Altamirano (All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt) and Myriam Schroeter (Sing Sing). Use code OIPARTNER for 20% off! Learn more and apply now!

Meridian International Center and the United States (U.S.) Department of State’s International Expositions Unit (Expo Unit) are seeking U.S. Cultural Performers and Expert Speakers to perform and/or speak at the USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. All travel and lodging expenses will be covered by the program. Cultural Performers and Expert Speakers should embody the best and most authentic representation of American dance, music, theatre, literature, art, food, sport, and other aspects of American culture and collectively reflect the full cultural richness and diversity of the U.S. Support U.S. public diplomacy goals to promote U.S. history, culture, and values in Japan and throughout the region. Applications are due November 30. Apply here. 

ITVS Open Call provides up to $400,000 of co-production funding to independent producers of nonfiction documentaries, ranging from short films to feature length. The documentary can be on any subject, viewpoint, or style as long as it is in active production already, as evidenced via a work-in-progress sample. The application window closes with a deadline for receiving all materials by December 13. Learn more and apply. 

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the HamptonsFilm Screenwriters Lab (April 4-6, 2025) champions the artistic visions of up-and-coming filmmakers from around the world. An intimate gathering taking place each spring in East Hampton, NY, the Lab fosters emerging talent by pairing selected fellows with established writers and creative producers for a weekend of one-on-one mentorship. Over the course of the weekend, these film industry veterans advise the participating fellows on their feature length projects. Earlybird deadline is December 5. Late deadline is December 19. Submit here.

The upcoming 2025 AT&T Presents: Untold Stories program is now open for submissions until February 3, 2025 offering the chance to pitch your project to win the next $1 million dollar grant, unparalleled mentorship, and an official premiere at the 2026 Tribeca Festival. AT&T Presents: Untold Stories is known for supporting diverse storytelling and connecting rising, historically underrepresented filmmakers to greater possibilities by empowering them with the necessary resources they need to bring their unique stories to life. Apply today.

The Antigravity Academy Screenwriters Camp is designed to help up to six emerging filmmakers (or writing teams) develop and package their first features. Each filmmaker (or filmmaking team) will enter a 7-month development deal with Antigravity Academy starting with the intensive in May and concluding with the period of industry exposure/project presentation! Applications are open from October 21-November 22. Submit your application.

Kartemquin’s 2024-2025 Diverse Voices in Docs program is now accepting applications! Diverse Voices in Docs Fellowship (DVID) is a year-long program that supports non-fiction filmmakers telling stories that are intimate, grounded in mutual support, and provoke audiences to question the world around them. The DVID Fellowship supports emerging Black, Indigenous, and other filmmakers of color in the Midwest. The program offers workshops, training, mentorship, and guidance within the documentary community. Please note: this year’s program focuses on short documentaries. The cohort will be announced in Late November/Early December. The deadline for submissions is October 25 and applications can be submitted here. 

The deadline for the Fall 2024 Roy W. Dean Grant is almost here. This prestigious grant is awarded to indie filmmakers who create unique films that make a meaningful contribution to society. With a legacy of supporting visionary filmmakers for over 31 years, From the Heart Productions is excited to continue fostering creativity and impactful storytelling through this grant. The winner will receive $3,500 to assist in the completion of their project. The grant also includes thousands of dollars in donated film products and services. This year’s offerings include $15,000 in theme music from award-winning composer David Raiklen, $6,000 in animation from Emmy winner Charlie Canfield, and much more. Submissions are due October 31. Apply here. 

Are you an emerging screenwriter with a unique and powerful story to tell? Our friends at Moonshot Initiative have just launched their Feature Accelerator—a virtual program designed to elevate talented writers and connect them directly with industry leaders! This highly competitive program selects 8 fellows for three weeks of in-depth training culminating in a pitch week where fellows will present to over 20 top studios and production companies, including Netflix, Neon, Berlanti, and more. The late deadline is October 25 and the final deadline is November 15. NYWIFT members can use promo code MOONSHOTPARTNER10 for 10% off. Apply here.

Our partners at the Telly Awards honor excellence in video and television across all screens, and entries for the 46th season are open! New and expanded categories include Film & Shorts, CTV ads, Brand Partnership, Use of Real-Time Rendering;
with new judges from Roku, MediaPro, Gymnasium, and PlutoTV. Whether you are making original shorts, commercials, documentaries, social content or animation,
check out the new season and enter before December 13. Enter here. 

The AFF Documentary Pitch Program, which will take place during the 15th annual Athena Film Festival at Barnard College from March 6 – 9, 2025, recently opened calls for projects! Submission is encouraged for documentaries in early development (but have shot footage) and directors who have not made more than three feature-length documentaries. The films must have a woman, girl or women in a leadership role(s) or position(s) on screen. NYWIFT members can use promo code AFFDPP25 for a discount on submissions. The regular deadline is December 2. Submit your pitch.

 

The Killer Shorts Horror Short Screenplay Competition celebrates horror short screenwriters and authors from around the world, providing them with career opportunities and industry access. The star-studded panel of judges includes Gregory Nicotero (The Walking Dead, Creepshow), Barbara Crampton (Suitable Flesh, Re-Animator), Xavier Burgin (Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror), Sophie Carrol (ALTER, Gun Powder & Sky), Chelsea Lupkin (Short of the Week) and literary manager John Zaozirny (Bellevue Productions). NYWIFT is thrilled to offer an exclusive discount to Killer Shorts! Screenwriters may use code NYWIFT50 on Coverfly only to receive a 50% discount on the entry fee. This code is valid until December 31 and applies to all categories except those with additional feedback. Regular deadline October 1. Submit here. 

 The Socially Relevant Film Festival (SRFF) is currently accepting submissions for its 2025 festival. Opening on March 11, at the National Arts Club, the 12th edition kicks off with new films depicting pressing social issues of our times. The New York-based festival will host filmmakers and industry experts, Q&As and workshops along with screenings. Awards and prizes will be given in categories including Best Narrative Feature (in-kind prize value of $20-25K), Best Documentary, and the IndiePix Vision Award (prize entails a distribution deal on IndiePix). NYWIFT members can receive a limited 30% discount on submissions with the code SR25DIS30. The regular deadline is September 14. Learn more and submit.

Celebrate Diversity in Film with New York City’s Winter Film Festival! The 13th annual celebration of independent film will run February 19-23, 2025. Fresh voices and creative indie films in all genres are wellcome. The festival includes a highly regarded filmmaker education, director Q&As and the festival works to ensure films get written articles, video promos and red carpet interviews. Use code WFF25GRPD20 to take 20% off your submission fee. The earlybird deadline is September 16. Submit today.

NYWIFT members are invited to submit to the From Script to PreProduction Lab. At the From Script to PreProduction Lab for women filmmakers, you develop the materials you need to go forward – loglines, synopses, pitches, lookbooks, pitch decks, reels, websites, schedules, budgets, and business plans. Guests are invited to vet your presentations and we you’re introduced to the industry at a Producers Panel. At the end of the six-month lab, you’ll be ready to go out and get partners and financing. Regular deadline is September 2. Learn more and submit.

 NYWIFT members Cara D’Adamo and Jenilyn Rodriguez have officially launched Meliora International Film Festival . Meliora is a Latin adjective meaning: to heal, to make better; or to be in the pursuit of better things. Meliora works in partnership with various charities and organizations to promote them along side festival categories. There is a jam packed schedule complete with a welcome party, film screenings, panels and Q&As, as well as an awards ceremony; all taking place in New York City! The Grand Prize: $1,000 for the winner + $1,000 donated to the partnering charity or organization of their choice. There will be awards categories for Best Feature Film, Best Short, Best Documentary, Best Animation and more. Submit your film by the regular deadline on September 10. Learn more and submit today.

The Rehoboth Beach Film Society (RBFS) proudly presents its award-winning 26th Anniversary Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival (RBIFF) on November 6-10, 2024.
Submissions in all categories are now being accepted. In addition, presenting sponsor Panavision is also awarding a $15,000 equipment grant to the winner of this year’s Best Cinematography: Shorts award. Interested filmmakers can submit by the late deadline on September 5. Submit today.

Entertwine’s Women of Color Horror Film Festival is this year and they want as many women of color filmmakers to know. The top films will be screened at Vidiots in Los Angeles, October 21. There’s a $500 prize for the best film, and a $250 bonus if the film was made in 48-hours. NYWIFT members can waive the submission fee with code eeHORROR24. Submissions close September 30: For the regular festival, submit here.
48-hour registration open until September 19. Submit. 

Submissions for the 2025 Athena List are now open! The Athena List selects exceptional scripts with women leaders at the heart of the story—giving writers the exposure they need to get their scripts produced and elevate their careers to the next level. 2025 will mark 10 Years of the Athena List. Since the launch, we have seen several scripts on the list go from page to screen including: On the Basis of Sex; Little Pink House; Clemency; Out of My Mind; and the recently completed Lilly. Through the Athena List, winners and finalists are eligible for certain grants Applications are open from. Apply by September 30. Submit your application.

Chelsea Film Festival is looking for passionate, talented and driven filmmakers with diverse and creative voices to participate in the 2025 Chelsea Film Festival Incubator supported by TD Bank. The CFF Incubator is a highly selective initiative designed to nurture and provide support to 10 BIPOC emerging filmmakers from New York of all genres who have diverse voices, backgrounds and life experiences. Upon successful completion of their films, filmmakers will receive a cash grant towards post-production and a guaranteed slot for their project at the 13th Annual Chelsea Film Festival. Deadline is November 1. Submit your project.

 

The GuadaLAjara Film Festival (GLAFF) is now accepting applications for the post-production initiative Work in Progress (WIP) LATINO Program, Year 9. The program provides in-kind and cash support to Latin American and BIPOC filmmakers in the post-production stage (still in progress). WIP LATINO 9 will take place during GLAFF on November 1 – 3 in Downtown Los Angeles. Deadline: Thursday, August 22. Apply today.

Everydaydreamer is a purpose-driven creative consultancy, has opened applications for SheMadeIt, a three-day, in-person, intensive workshop  for women and non-binary directors of color that includes the following programming like The Art of Business, Shoot Day/Production, Treatment and Pitching (Workshop), Industry Speed Dating Event and more. After the workshop, there is a post-programming component of either mentorship or shadowing for attendees of the course. They are added into an exclusive online platform where all SheMadeIt attendees can continue the community, share resources, and have access to tools and career opportunities. Deadline is August 23. Submit your application.

NYWIFT members are welcome to submit their films for the Loreen Arbus Disability Awareness Grant. Through the generosity of Loreen Arbus, New York Women in Film and Television has established the Loreen Arbus Disability Awareness Grant. The film completion grant for $6,500 will be awarded to a woman filmmaker for a film on physical or developmental disability issues. Directors and producers are eligible to apply. Films may be of any length or genre. Deadline to apply by is Friday, September 6. Learn more and submit.

Materials for the Arts is pleased to share information regarding an important opportunity for artists. The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs is accepting applications for the 2024-2025 cycle of the Public Artists in Residence (PAIR) program. The residency provides artists with $40,000 in funding. Selected artists will have demonstrated experience in socially engaged art or collaborative art practice addressing social and political issues relevant to the host agency. NYC Administration for Children’s Services, NYC Commission on Human Rights, NYC Human Resources Administration and the Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice are each seeking to host a PAIR artist for the 2024-25 cycle. The deadline to apply is August 25. Learn more about these unique opportunities and apply here.

Project submissions are open for the next edition of CineMart during International Film Festival Rotterdam 2025! IFFR Pro’s co-production market showcases a lineup of feature projects in development to select international industry representatives and offers tailor-made mentorship and networking opportunities. Each year, CineMart projects gain recognition at prestigious festivals and reach wide audiences across the world. Deadlie for submissions is September 1. Learn more and Apply.

CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival is entering its ninth festival season dedicated to showcasing the exceptional work of women directors from around the world. NYWFT members receive 50% off short film submission fees. Films must be directed by a woman, 20 minutes or less, completed or released no earlier than October, 2023 and must be submitted to CASCADIA on Film Freeway using the code: NYWFT25. CASCADIA will be April 24-27, 2025 in person in Bellingham, WA. with an online version of the festival to take place May 1-11, 2025. The short film early bird deadline is September 16 and script regular deadline is January 15. Apply today.

NYWIFT members are encouraged to submit to the From Script to PreProduction lab. At the From Script to PreProduction lab for women filmmakers, you develop the materials you need to go forward – loglines, synopses, pitches, lookbooks, pitch decks, reels, websites, schedules, budgets, and business plans. Guests are invited to vet your presentations and we you’re introduced to the industry at a Producers Panel. At the end of the six-month lab, you’ll be ready to go out and get partners and financing. Earlybird deadline is August 12. Learn more and submit.

Applications are now open for Nostos Screenwriting Retreat Spring 2025 cohort! Each year, Nostos Screenwriting Retreat offers four two-week screenwriting workshops in the Tuscan Countryside.  The retreat gives independent filmmakers from around the world the opportunity to work intensively on their feature-length narrative scripts or their TV Pilots. It consists of a residential workshop and participants also receive individual feedback. Participants will work with mentors Lorien McKenna, Paul Kowalski, Tracy Dawson, and more! Apply by the late deadline on August 15 and use code NYWIFT10 for 10% off your submission. Submit here.

The Monterrey International Film Festival is now accepting submissions for the Work in Progress (WIP) Program and ProMeetings! Are you an Ibero-American or US Latin filmmaker with a project in the post-production or development stage? This is your chance to gain crucial resources and support to bring your film to completion. Selected projects will have the opportunity to present their work to a professional audience of international experts and benefit from in-kind services provided by industry leaders. Deadline: Thursday, August 15. Apply today.

The Screencraft TV Pilot Screenplay Competition is currently accepting submissions for television pilots that push genre boundaries, inspire change, and entertain. All finalists are guaranteed a meeting with an industry professional and will be invited to an exclusive workshop on how you can best position yourself and your writing in Hollywood. Plus a Q&A session with Emmy-nominated writer and showrunner Kirk Ward. This is your opportunity to get your script in front of the people who matter. Deadline to submit is August 15. Submit your pilot.

Kartemquin Films has launched the next round of the Hulu/Kartemquin Accelerator, with a focus on Native American and Indigenous stories and experiences. Through this fund, two filmmakers will receive $30,000 in direct funding and travel/festival/conference support, plus mentorship support and a first-look opportunity with Hulu. Application deadline for the Hulu/Kartemquin Accelerator is August 31, 2024. Apply here.

To honor the public media legacy of filmmaker Leanne Kaʻiulani Ferrer, American Public Television offers the Leanne Kaʻiulani Ferrer Content Fellowship Award. This award will provide a BIPOC producer with the opportunity to have an expense-paid attendance to APT Fall Marketplace or, if attending Fall Marketplace is not possible, a day with APT leadership at its Boston office. In addition, the fellowship recipient will have access to APT expertise and feedback from our team throughout the fellowship year. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until September 6. Learn more and apply.

The Urbanworld Film Festival‘s call for submissions is open for a limited time. The final deadline has been extended August 11. The five-day festival includes narrative and documentary features, short films, web originals, branded content, spotlight screenings and conversations, and live staged screenplay readings. Urbanworld Film Festival invites BIPOC filmmakers from all backgrounds to submit their visionary works and showcase diverse, emerging talent in independent cinema. Learn more and submit.

The application period for the Bronx Documentary Center‘s 2024-2025 Fellowship is now open. The Fellowship is a free, year-long documentary filmmaking program for emerging filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds in New York City. The Program includes a $3000 stipend for the year; documentary filmmaking courses and professional development workshops; mentorship from BDC staff and visiting filmmakers; documentary film screenings and panel discussions; equipment loans and low-cost rentals; access to free meeting and workspace; and a video editing suite. BDC Films also works to strengthen BDC’s artistic community by creating a peer-to-peer support network that empowers Bronx filmmakers. Deadline: July 30. Apply.

Snarky Elephant Productions’ Incubator Program is now accepting submissions. The Incubator Program supports emerging, underrepresented creators through the support of their project(s) and careers. The program seeks creators whose whole body of work and background involves underrepresented perspectives, identities, and/or communities. The program includes a one year, non- exclusive agreement with a production company, special equipment rental rates, grant writing support, a dedicated marketing budget, guidance from Snarky Elephant Productions staff, access to Snarky Elephant Productions advisory board members, and more. Deadline: August 15. Apply today.

Kalakari International Film Festival invites NYWIFT members to submit to their festival before the late deadline on August 25. Kalakari Film Festival is dedicated to connecting filmmakers, musicians, and artists from around the globe with a wider audience. Their mission is to serve as a bridge for all artists across the Indian sub-continent and beyond, providing them with opportunities to showcase their work to the world. Kalakari Film Festival gives awards for animation, visual effects, photography and more. The awards are open to students, professionals and studios from across the world. Their is dedicated Q&A time for visiting filmmakers at their screening. Get 50% off your submission fee with the code nywift50kalakari. Learn more and submit your film.

Calling all Los Angeles-based filmmakers! The annual Deutsche Bank Frieze Los Angeles Film Award Fellowship is now accepting applications. Emerging filmmakers aged 18-34 will embark upon a rigorous, four-month, hybrid fellowship led by Ghetto Film School Roster to produce individual 6-8 minute narrative short films in response to a prompt. The program will culminate at FRIEZE Los Angeles in February 2025 with an award ceremony: one film will receive the Jury Award ($10,000) and another will receive the Audience Award ($2,500). Apply by August 4 here.

Rideback Rise, the RISE Fellowship identifies an annual cohort of fellows who are supported financially and creatively to make mainstream film and television projects aimed at advancing racial equity. Rideback Rise is empowering the next generation of Hollywood leaders and advancing racial equity in mainstream entertainment. Fellows are experienced and established writers, filmmakers and creative entrepreneurs from throughout the industry. The program deadline is July 15. Apply today.

Main Character Support Group is seeking actors for an upcoming Table Read Event Series at Hide & Seek in Brooklyn on July 17 at 6:30 PM. This is an UNPAID event designed to provide emerging screenwriters with the opportunity to have their comedy TV pilot scripts read and performed by actors for the very first time, all in a safe and laid-back environment. The table read lasts about an 30 minutes, followed by a casual talkback, and finally, some mingling time for you to meet and connect with other creatives! Whether you’re a writer, actor, or TV and film enthusiast, we invite you to join us and meet other creatives in this enriching experience. Get a free ticket here. Contact: majestyserials@gmail.com with any questions.

HerArts Film Lab, an international script development lab for women and non-binary filmmakers, accepts submissions to its Fall 2024 edition, which will run from October 28-November 3 in Paestum, in the southern Italian region of Campania. The lab is addressed to writers and directors from all over the world, currently developing their fiction feature-length films or TV series projects, who would like to workshop their scripts or treatments in a supportive environment with experienced mentors and fellow female writers. Confirmed mentors for this session are Mary Kate O’Flanagan and Rachel O’Flanagan. Deadline to apply is July 25. Submit your project.

In partnership with The Billie Holiday Theatre, Brooklyn, NY – Nova Frontier Film Festival & LAB proudly announces the 2024 Nova Frontier Film Festival, set for July 19-21 at the Billie Holiday Theatre. Marking its sixth anniversary, this year’s festival embraces the “Dispossession” theme, presenting compelling narratives from diverse cultures and historical contexts. The Nova Frontier Film Festival is renowned for spotlighting thought-provoking films and art from the Global African Diaspora, the Middle East, and Latin America. Get a $20 day pass or $50 weekend pass here.

Penn F-ing Station, directed by NYWIFT member Claire Read, will be presented by Rooftop Films on July 26. The premise: in NYC, the debate over how to fix Penn Station erupts between powerbrokers and residents. But what’s at stake is not just a train station; it’s the future of the city. Watch the non-fiction short, followed by a Q & A with the filmmakers and an afterparty sponsored by Ketel One Family Made Vodka. Get tickets.

Submit your feature or series work-in-progress to DOC NYC PRO’s Pitch Day for the chance to join fellow documentary filmmakers on stage to present your project to a panel of distinguished industry professionals, and the opportunity to win a $5,000 grand prize from AJH Films! Taking place live in NYC on Thursday, November 14, this program offers a unique platform for filmmakers to engage directly with prominent figures in distribution, financing, publicity, marketing, social impact, and beyond. Deadline: Wednesday July 31. Submit.

Submissions for the Athena Film Festival Writers Lab are now open! The lab is a workshop for emerging writers and provides storytellers with creative guidance, writing training, industry access, and a supportive network. To be considered, applicants must submit a project that features a girl, girls, woman or women characters in a leadership role or position at the center of the story. NYWIFT members get a $20 discount code for submissions. Use code CPAFFWL24 when applying. Submit by July 8 here.

Queer Voices: New York City Film Festival 2024 welcomes submissions. The 3-day film festival brings together LGBTQIA+ filmmakers of color from around the globe. QVNYC welcomes film submissions that showcase and celebrate the voices and experiences of the queer-BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community and are created by queer-BIPOC individuals (writer, director, producer). Join QVNYC in creating a space where LGBTQIA+ filmmakers of color can be celebrated for their artistry. Apply by the late deadline on July 28. Submit today. 

The Glendale International Film Festival invites filmmakers and screenwriters to submit projects to their 10th anniversary edition! The six-day festival will take place in person from September 26-October 1, 2024 in Glendale, CA (Los Angeles County) and will feature screenings, special programs, Q&As, panel discussions, and networking opportunities with fellow industry professionals. Awards will be given in categories including Best Feature, Best Documentary, Best Screenplay Feature, Best Screenplay Short, Best Comedy Short and many more. Submit by the July 12 deadline. Apply today.

The International Human Rights Art Movement has just opened submissions for the upcoming Sixth Annual International Human Rights Art Festival. Taking place at New York City’s The Tank from December 9-15, IHRAF will focus on work that addresses any social justice and human rights issues through performance art. The festival accepts 10-20 minute-long performance work in any form – every discipline! There is no fee to submit. All accepted performers will receive performance stipends of $100-$200, PR and marketing support and a 30-minute tech rehearsal. Submit by the deadline on August 15. Learn more and submit.

The Picture Shop Feature Film Grant is open! Film Independent is selecting a qualified filmmaker who will receive up to $50,000 in color correction and digital intermediate services for their fiction or nonfiction feature film. Applicants must be the director, producer, cinematographer or editor of a feature-length fiction or nonfiction film in post-production by the application deadline. Submit by the July 15 deadline. Apply today.

The Urbanworld Film Festival‘s call for submissions is open for a limited time. The final deadline is July 26. The five-day festival includes narrative and documentary features, short films, web originals, branded content, spotlight screenings and conversations, and live staged screenplay readings. Urbanworld Film Festival invites BIPOC filmmakers from all backgrounds to submit their visionary works and showcase diverse, emerging talent in independent cinema. Learn more and submit.

New York City’s Winter Film Festival (WFF) is open for submissions! WFF is a volunteer-run celebration of the diversity of local and international filmmaking that showcases creative fresh voices from emerging filmmakers worldwide in all genres and lengths. The festival includes film screenings with director Q&A, educational panels, professional development workshops and industry networking after-parties, and concludes with a glittering awards ceremony. Outstanding work will be awarded for each category, along with Best Director, Best Student Film and Best NYC Film. Apply by October 18, 2024 at 11:59 PM PT. Use code WFF25STD20 to take 20% off the submission fee. Learn more and submit. 

Latino Public Broadcasting is excited to announce that their 2024 LPB Funding Cycle is open! From now until June 26 at 5 PM PST, LPB is accepting applications for two funding initiatives: the Public Media Content Fund (PMCF) and Digital Media Fund (DMF). This opportunity is for Latino/a producers and/or directors to submit applications for funding consideration at the production and post-production stages for feature documentaries and for the completion of digital shorts. Apply today.

ITVS Open Call is providing up to $400,000 of co-production funding to independent producers of nonfiction documentaries, ranging from short films to feature length. The documentary can be on any subject, viewpoint, or style as long as it is in active production already, as evidenced via a work-in-progress sample. The application window opens June 3, with a deadline for receiving all materials by July 12, 2024, at 11:59 PM PT. Apply here.

The 15th anniversary Athena Film Festival will take place March 6 – March 9, 2025. Submissions are open June 3 – August 15, 2024. The 2025 Athena Film Festival marks their 15th anniversary of showcasing stories of women’s leadership. The festival is looking for challenging and original stories to share with their audiences, and to celebrate their ongoing mission. If this sounds like your short film, Athena Film Festival wants to see it! There is a $15 fee to submit. No writer will ever be turned away due to a lack of funds. To request a waiver for the submission fee, email athenafilmfestival@gmail.com. Submit today.

Submit your film to the 3rd annual Prince George’s Film Festival in Prince George’s
County, Maryland! This annual celebration of cinematic arts will take place September 26–29, in the crown jewel of the DMV, Prince George’s County, Maryland. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an emerging talent, PGFF welcomes submissions from filmmakers of all levels and diverse voices that showcase the rich journey of human experiences. The deadline to submit is July 16. Get 100% fee waiver (limited to 10 uses) to the festival with code WIFTSELECTSNYC. Get 15% off submission fee with code NYCWIFTATPG. Submit.

Documentary filmmakers can apply to International Documentary Association‘s Enterprise Documentary Fund and Pare Lorentz Fund simultaneously. The Enterprise Documentary Fund will award $25,000-75,000 to in-depth explorations of original, contemporary stories that integrate journalistic practice into the filmmaking process. The theme for the 2024 Pare Lorentz Fund will be Gender Justice. Three projects will be selected and awarded a grant of $25,000. Apply today.

 

Seeking actors for Main Character Support Group‘s upcoming Table Read Series on May 29. This is a FREE event designed to provide emerging screenwriters with the opportunity to have their Un-produced TV Pilot Scripts read and performed by actors for the very first time, all in a safe and laid-back environment. You will meet other TV & Movie enthusiasts, play games, make plans for movie date nights / watch parties, and even find a movie theatre buddy to go see the next big summer blockbuster with. This event is unpaid. Sign up.

 

 

 

 

 

The Global Drama Project invites NYWIFT members to submit projects to the Global Drama Project Short Film Festival with a special discount. The Global Drama Project Short Film Festival will be showcasing selected short films at a live screening event in NYC, followed by live Q&A’s. Films will be showcased in categories like Narrative Films, Documentary Films, Queer Cinema, Best Female Filmmakers, International Films and more. There will be a red carpet awards ceremony honoring the winners of each category, along with Best Actor and Best Film grand prize. Use code NYWIFTSHORT and enter before May 14 for the early bird deadline, July 14 for the regular deadline or August 5, final Deadline. Learn more.

 

 

Apply here.

 

The Conch Shell International Film Festival is accepting submissions. Looking for an international film festival that celebrates Caribbean Diaspora and Caribbean filmmakers? Entering its 3rd year, Conch Shell International Film Fest (CSIFF) will be taking place in October 2024 in New York City and virtually. CSIFF ‘24 is a competitive festival featuring short films written by indie and student Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora talent and established filmmakers. The deadlines to submit are: Earlybird – March 29, Regular – June 1, and Late – July 12. Learn more and submit.

Enter code NYWIFTCARIB25 for 25% off submission fees.

NYWIFT members get 20% off of their submission fee to Off Page Short Play and Film Festival. Off Page Short Play and Film Festival is accepting short films up to 15 minutes, short plays up to 15 minutes and music videos up to 4 minutes. Awards and prizes will be given for Best Narrative Short Film, Audience Award Short Film, Best Music Video and more. In addition to plays, films and workshops, the event will feature music, food, cocktails, a silent auction and more. Use code NYWOMEN and submit before June 12 to meet the early bird deadline. Learn more and enter the festival.

Submissions are now open for the 2024 Gotham Week Project Market. Proof-of-concept short films with an accompanying feature-length screenplay can be submitted to be featured in Gotham Week Project Market’s Shorts to Features section. Fiction feature-length projects at the script stage can also be submitted to the U.S. Features in Development section. Taking place September 30 through October 4 in Brooklyn, the Project Market facilitates career-spanning relationships with distributors, financiers, production companies, festival programmers, sales and talent agents, collaborators, and more for all participating artists. Gotham Memberships are no longer required to apply. Regular deadline for all submissions is May 16. Extended members-only deadline is May 30.  

Submit your proof-of-concept short films and accompanying feature-length screenplay here.

Submit your feature-length script here.

 

Chelsea Film Festival is accepting submissions. Chelsea Film Festival is an international film competition that aims to discover upcoming talents by raising awareness about American & foreign independent films. The Festival attracts filmmakers, artists and audience members from across America and the world. It premieres independent narrative features, documentaries, short films and TV series focusing on global issues. The deadlines to submit are Late – May 31 and Extended – July 7. Learn more and submit.

 

 

Denver Film currently seeks Letters of Interest (LOI) from filmmaking projects for the Music on Film – Film on Music grant. The MOFFOM grant is for projects that directly focus on music. The grant awards up to $20,000 annually in finishing funds for scoring, composition, and music licensing efforts for feature-length documentaries. The application period will run March 1 – June 3. Learn more and apply.

 

The Black List‘s Annual Labs support promising, non-professional twelve writers in two cohorts: the Writers Lab cohort and the Projects Lab cohort. The Labs support writers on two distinct career tracks: those who are interested in being a career writer, with a focus on working within the studio system, and those who are interested in writing and directing their own work in the independent space. The goal of the Labs is for all twelve writers to emerge with the strongest possible script and the knowledge of how to move forward in their careers, with Black List support. The Labs are in-person, weeklong intensive writers workshops. Writers in both cohorts will workshop their feature screenplay through one-on-one sessions with professional screenwriting mentors and in peer workshops. The Labs will also include several story- and industry-related sessions with executives, producers, literary agents and managers. Apply by July 1. Learn more!

 

 

As anti-Asian violence continues to rise and it appears that police and government entities are reluctant to truly step up, the Asian American Film Lab is commissioning a multi-media project to stop AAPI hate. AAFL invites you to empower the community by sharing your voices and stories. Send AAFL your stories of anti-AAPI Haye and how you dealt with them. Hindsight is always 20/20 and you can be sure someone else has or will experience what you did – what would your advice to them be? Send photos, videos, poems, or however best suits your voice to info@film-lab.org.

 

Black Market Releasing (BMR) has announced their call for submissions.  BMR serves as a source connecting diverse voices and BIPOC stories to the big screen. BMR is a theatrical distributor of bold, new and authentic stories from diverse perspectives. Serving the dynamic, untapped theatrical market for diverse voices, its parent organization, CaribbeanTales has been connecting BIPOC stories to screens, and mobilizing audiences for over 20 years. Submissions are currently being accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and submit.

 

Created by Women, from Little Dot Studios, are accepting submissions for their curated YouTube channel. Created by Women is a YouTube channel with content directed, written, or produced by women. Their goal is to generate attention and revenue for independent female and female-identified creators by offering a generous revenue share on monetized videos and using our media teams’ expertise to maximize their YouTube audience. They are currently accepting submissions for comedy, action, drama, unscripted and documentary content. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis.  Learn more and submit.

 

AbilityE, a free platform for performers with disabilities to connect with entertainment studios, has launched. Casting studios are seeking disabled talent more than ever, and so to make these connections happen more quickly, abilityE was created. Disney, Netflix, NBC, and more major studios have expressed enthusiastic interest in this platform. The website also details its origin and how the platform helped Netflix cast their hit show The Healing Powers of Dude. Learn more and create a profile.

 

The Peter Roth Internship Program at Paley Center is accepting applications beginning TOMORROW April 30. The Peter Roth Internship Program, named in honor of the legendary television executive, offers a paid internship each year for 20 talented undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds and underserved communities who are interested in a career in television. Applicants must be rising junior or senior students currently enrolled in a four-year undergraduate degree program at an accredited college or university. There is currently no deadline to apply. Learn more and apply.

 

The Multicultural Sci-fi Organization (MCSFO) are searching for the next biggest writers in Sci-fi!  MCSFO is the premier marketing agency for multicultural sci-fi, fantasy, and comics. MCSFO celebrates sci-fi films and series that bring inclusion and diversity to the genre by honoring their work. The organization are looking for serious geeks who love talking about Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi film, and comics for fun!  Must be well-versed in the sci-fi genre with excellent writing and storytelling skills! For more details, contact multiculturalscifi.org@gmail.com.

 

The Red Bull Arts Microgrant Program is accepting applications. The adapted Microgrant program will award two $1000 grants each month to artists in 20 cities across the United States. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and there is currently no deadline. Learn more and apply.

 

Flag TV, a new digital channel in partnership with Nashville Women in Film &TV, is seeking content submissions. FLAG-TV offers independent female filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their content on television via on-demand streaming services.The channel is available on Roku, Amazon Fire and Twitch-TV. To inquire about submissions, email info@flag-tv.com.

 

Cinereach develops, produces, finances, and supports feature-length fiction, nonfiction and hybrid films crafted for the big screen. They look for projects (at any stage) that create deep and lasting impressions through story, character, or cinematic approach. They seek to work with both unknown and established filmmakers who may face creative, financial or systemic obstacles to realizing ambitious visions. Their films range widely in content and style. Please visit their Films page to review their recent work. Submissions are rolling. Learn more.

 

 

The WORLD Channel series America Reframed is currently accepting submissions of completed feature-length non-fiction projects. Each year, Emmy-nominated public television series America ReFramed features diverse personal storytelling often tied to hot-button social issues. With 60 to 90-minute documentary films, followed by provocative conversations, this weekly program offers an unfiltered look at stories rarely given a voice on national television. America ReFramed documents the times in which we live. It airs Tuesdays at 8 PM on the WORLD Channel. Read the guidelines and submit online.