For filmmakers with a New York story to tell.

How it works

1. 1

   We open submissions once a year through FilmFreeway. You send us a screenplay, a bio, an artist statement, and a logline. If you have a look book or a budget, send those too.

2. 2

   A panel of filmmakers and industry readers narrows the field. Five finalists sit down with at least two judges. One filmmaker is selected.

3. 3

   The grant pays out in two parts: $9,000 when you go into production and $1,000 when the film is complete. You have roughly six months to start shooting and about nine months total to deliver a finished film. The specifics are in the grant agreement, which you sign before any money moves.

Who it's for

Filmmakers with a connection to New York City. That means one of three things:

1. 1

   You live in New York City now and have for at least two consecutive years.

2. 2

   You grew up here — three consecutive years between the ages of seven and eighteen. And then you left. Why?

3. 3

   Your film is a New York film: more than half of it features New Yorkers and is clearly set in the city.

Eligibility may change between cycles; we’ll post any change here before submissions open.

"Emerging" describes where you are in your work. There is no age limit.

What you submit

• A complete screenplay, fifteen pages or under
• A logline, twenty-five words or under
• A bio under 250 words and an artist statement of 500 to 1,000 words
• Optional: a look book, mood board, pitch deck, production schedule, budget, and links to any other work — film, art, whatever you've made

We want to hear your voice. AI is fine as a tool, but the screenplay needs to be yours.

The rules

This grant exists because of one person's belief in independent filmmaking and the people who do it, in one city. We are a small foundation. We read every submission. We take the work seriously and we expect applicants to do the same.

The formal terms and conditions govern the grant. They cover what happens if production stalls, what rights SRCF holds, and what the foundation can ask for after the film is finished. You will have a chance to read and sign the full agreement before accepting the grant.

Questions