All USA USA Territories: American Samoa (USA); Guam (USA); Puerto Rico (USA); Virgin Islands (USA); Northern Mariana Islands (USA); USA Compact Free Associations:The Federated States of Micronesia (USA) Marshall Islands (USA) Republic of Palau (USA) Canada:Alberta; British Columbia; Manitoba; New Brunswick; Newfoundland and Labrador; Northwest Territories; Nova Scotia; Nunavut; Ontario; Prince Edward Island; Quebec; Saskatchewan; Yukon; International, Israel and Canada.
Grants of up to $25,000 to USA, Canada, and International filmmakers and nonprofit film companies to develop original documentary films. Funding is intended for a broad range of topics designed to engage the audience in meaningful discourse. Priority will be given to creative, contemporary projects that promote social engagement and generate public discourse.
The Catapult Development Fund provides early-stage support to documentary filmmakers when funding is hardest to find.
Selection Criteria
Artful, compelling storytelling that moves you, with a preference for character-driven narratives over lesson or agenda-heavy projects
Originality of approach, content, and form
Creative and innovative storytelling techniques
Contemporary relevance with a unique perspective, style, and/or tone
Project feasibility with respect to budget, financing, schedule, and scope
Demonstrated ability of the creative team to implement previous projects
Credible access and rapport with the proposed subject(s) of the story, with attention to accountability and ethics
Significant impact of Catapult grant on development stage of the project
Potential of the project to generate public discourse and social engagement
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)
Additional Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility:
- Applicants (Project Director) must be 18 years or older.
- Documentaries must be in development or early production with an intended length of 28 minutes or longer.
- Grant funds must specifically be used to create a fundraising piece, which may include writing, shooting and editing once story and characters are in place.
- Applicants must own the copyright of their production, and have artistic, budgetary, and editorial control over their project.
- Applicants should have previous film or television production experience in a principal role (director, co-director, producer, co-producer) as demonstrated via previous work samples. Applicants who do not meet this criteria should demonstrate how they will be working with experienced filmmakers as key creative personnel.
- If selected, applicants must be able to accept grants through a 501(c)(3) organization such as a fiscal sponsor. Projects may apply without a fiscal sponsor but must confirm the designated organization in order to receive funding.
Catapult accepts applicants who can arrange to have a US 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor.
Ineligible
Catapult does not make grants to individuals.
Pre-Application Information
Applications are being accepted until Monday, February 13, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. PST.
Catapult conducts an open call for applications twice a year, with decisions announced in the early spring and late fall.
If you experience issues with Submittable, please feel free to reach out to support@submittable.com to assist you further.
Applicants needing assistance to accommodate a disability may request an accommodation at any time. To request reasonable assistance for completing the application, please contact info@catapultfilmfund.org or leave a message at 415-738-8553.
