Funding For Independent Films article

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Not necessarily you need to approach a producer with your idea, there are funds available across the world that can help you realize your dream film  

The most important ingredient in making a movie, besides ideas, is finance. A writer can write in the absence of any fund, a composer can compose without it... but a filmmaker needs money to make films. The good news is that today more and more kinds of funds are available to the filmmaker. The bad news is, most of these funds are available to production houses in the country and not individual filmmakers. This is the opposite of a few decades back when banks loaned individual filmmakers and there were many cooperatives and societies that raised money for filmmakers to make films.

Does this mean that an individual filmmaker who does not want to compromise on his vision has no option? Not really. We scourged the world to find out funds that are available to a filmmaker in the Indian Subcontinent. And guess what, they are aplenty, and considering that the cost of filmmaking is cheaper in the country compared to the rest of the world, the funding amount is often enough for your project.

However, most of these funds come with two types of catch. One is the type of films funded. Most of the funding, is for documentary films and that too on certain issues. Secondly, you have to surrender distribution and sale rights of your film for a few regions to the fund. But none of these conditions seem unreasonable as almost none of the funds ask you to compromise with your vision, or interfere in your work. Instead, they will do their bit in ensuring that your vision comes through. While researching for these data, the wish was that there were more such funds in India or that many development funds given in the country to NGOs and others also include a film fund in them, but there is none. One only hopes that like their predecessors internationally, Indian development funds also realise the important of cinema in bringing about social change.

One thing you need to keep in mind is that even these funds want the filmmaker to be serious about raising back the money spent on making the film.

Most of these film funds seek synopsis, script, treatment financial plan, distribution plan, bio of director, previous visual works of the director etc. So be ready with these when you want to approach them. And remember, luck is when preparation meets opportunity. The opportunity is below, now prepare. All the best.

NFDC: The National Film Development Corporation Limited (NFDC) provides filmmakers with co-production facilities. Application forms are available online and at the Head Office in Mumbai and regional offices across India. Filmmakers need to submit the application forms, the synopsis and treatment (in English) along with a non-refundable processing fee of INR 2000 (for short films) and INR 5000 (for feature films). NFDC assures minimum fiscal investment of 30% of the total cost of the film project. For the projects which are selected by the committee, NFDC undertakes to finance the films with an investment of an additional 30% of the total budget of the film or Rs.10 Million, whichever is less. The filmmaker has to raise the balance investment within one year from the date of selection of their project. A maximum of five scripts are selected by committee.

For detailed Info: Email nfdc@nfdcindia.com or Visit: www.nfdcindia.com

Global Film Initiative: The Global Film Initiative was created to promote cross-cultural understanding through the medium of cinema. This is an American film fund mostly for filmmakers in developing countries of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. Twice every year, 10 grants of up to $10,000 each are given to feature film makers from these regions. The current last date for application is 15 Jan 2009. They also have an acquisition and distribution program.

For detailed Info: Call 415-934-9500, Fax 415-934-9501, Email gfi-info@globalfilm.org or Visit www.globalfilm.org

World Cinema Fund: This fund set up by the Berlin International Film Festival seeks to provide production and distribution funding for films that surprise audiences with their unusual aesthetics, tell poignant stories and present an authentic image of their cultural heritage. This funding is both for production and distribution of feature films as well as documentaries. This fund is mainly for co-productions with a German company and the maximum funding is of € 100,000 per project. Production funding applications should be submitted before 12 March 2009.

For detailed information:  Email heinen@berlinale.den and bugno@berlinale.de or Visit www.berlinale.de.

Hubert Bals Fund: This fund is given to remarkable or urgent feature films and feature-length creative documentaries by innovative and talented filmmakers from developing countries. Though the fund looks at the financial aspects of a project, the decisive factor remains its artistic value. Since the Fund started in 1988, close to 600 projects from independent filmmakers in Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Africa and Latin America have received support. Approximately 80% of these projects have been realised or are currently in production. It makes individual grants of to €10,000 for script and project development, €20,000 for digital production, €30,000 for post-production or €15,000 towards distribution costs in the country of origin. Selection rounds take place twice a year, with application deadlines on March 1 and August 1. The International Film Festival Rotterdam screens a large part of the year's harvest of completed films supported by the fund. In exchange for its financial contribution the Hubert Bals Fund wishes to obtain the exclusive distribution rights of the film in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg. After recovery of HBF's support the income is shared with the filmmaker.

For detailed Info: Email: hbf@filmfestivalrotterdam.com or Visit http://professionals.filmfestivalrotterdam.com/eng/hubert_bals_fund/faq.aspx

Jan Vrijman Fund (for Documentaries): IDFA's Jan Vrijman Fund supports filmmakers and festivals in developing countries. Its goal is to stimulate local film cultures and to turn the creative documentary into a truly global film art. Since 1998, the Fund has supported over 300 documentary projects and 57 documentary festivals and workshops. Support of up to €15,000 is give to documentary filmmakers. Besides this, the fund also gives financial and knowledge support to local activities aimed at promoting documentary film genre, organisation of workshops for filmmakers and producers from non-Western countries, activities aimed at distribution of documentaries in developing countries etc.

For detailed information: Call +31 20 6273329, Fax +31 20 6385388, Email janvrijmanfund@idfa.nl or Visit www.idfa.nl/industry/vrijman-fund.aspx

Sundance Documentary Fund: The Sundance Documentary Fund is dedicated to supporting U.S. and international documentary films and videos focused on current and significant issues and movements in contemporary human rights, freedom of expression, social justice, and civil liberties. In supporting independent vision and creative, compelling stories, the Sundance Documentary Fund hopes to give voice to the diverse exchange of ideas crucial to developing an open society, raise public consciousness about human rights abuses and restrictions of civil liberties, and engage citizens in a lively, ongoing debate about these issues. Quality of work samples, strength of proposal, potential for broad international distribution, and the issue's significance are elements heavily weighed during the review process. As the SDF works on a rolling submissions basis, they do not have any deadlines. Two funds given. One is the "Development Funds" of up to $15,000 available to projects in research or preproduction phase and can apply for additional support upon completion of a rough cut of the documentary. The "Work-in-Progress Funds" that ranges from $20,000 to $50,000 is available to projects in production or postproduction and requires the submission of a rough cut of the work in progress.

For detailed Info: Email sdf@sundance.org or visit: www.sundance.org.

Sundance and Skoll Foundation Documentary Fund: The Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program, in partnership with the Skoll Foundation, is funding up to 8 films yearly with a fund of $30,000-$150,000 per project. This is for independent documentary films that frame, examine and amplify social entrepreneurship as innovative approach to the central questions of our time. Documentary films that combine the art of storytelling with topics in social entrepreneurship and the work of social entrepreneurs, and which have a high potential for co-production and for a full distribution plan, including theatrical, broadcast and DVD distribution, will be given priority. Films can be at any stage of development, production or post-production to apply. Completed films will not be considered.

For detailed Info: Email dfpskoll@sundance.org or visit www.sundance.org/skoll

Alter-Ciné Foundation (For Documentary): This Canadian foundation is inspired by its founder who said, "... documentaries should go against the tide, they should bear witness and spur us to action." The foundation offers a yearly grant to young film and video makers from Africa, Asia and Latin America to direct a documentary film on the theme of rights and freedoms, including social and economic rights, women's rights, the right to culture and artistic creation. This foundation particularly supports documentary films that dare to go against the tide, that take the side of the defenceless and question common assumptions by giving a voice to the voiceless, enriching our understanding of the world and helping us reflect on the possibility of changing the world from a perspective of peace, justice, equality and respect for differences. Deadline for the fund is 15^th August of every year.

For detailed Info: Call +1 (514) 273-7136, E-mail: alter@mlink.net or Visit: http://www.altercine.org/prog_an.html

Göteborg International Film Festival Fund: The objective of this fund is to help filmmakers in developing countries realise their film projects. The fund aims to provide assistance in film development, post-production and technical assistance to filmmakers. The GIFFF concentrates on providing opportunities for discussion on gender and promote female directors. The funding provided is SEK 100000 (close to $15,000).

For detailed Info: Email Ã…sa Bernlo at filmfund@filmfestival.org or Visit http://www.goteborgfilmfestival.se/filmfestival/page/en/filmfond/information

Fonds Sud Cinéma: This fund provided by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication (National Center of Cinematography-CNC) and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has so far helped over 300 film projects and been responsible for the discovery of many new international talents. The fund covers feature, animation and creative documentary film projects intended for theatrical release in France and abroad. The average aid awarded to a film is € 110,000 and cannot exceed €152,000. The catch is that the major part of the money should be earmarked for post-production in France. The last date for the first commission in 2009 is 9^th January. Three other commissions would be given in March, June and September of 2009. A maximum of 40 projects are given funding per commission. Three types of assistance given: production assistance (Max €152,000), post production assistance (max €46,000) and re-writing assistance (Max €7,600).

For detailed Info: Call +33 (0)1 44 34 38 17, Fax 33 (0)1 44 34 37 23, Email Jacqueline.Ada@cnc.fr or Visit: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france-priorities_1/cinema_2/cinematographic-cooperation_9/production-support-funding_10/fonds-sud-cinema_11/rules-of-procedure_4440/index.html

The Swiss fund: The "Visions Sud Est" is a fund based in Switzerland and aims to support film productions from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe and make them visible worldwide and guarantee their distribution in Switzerland. Provides production support, post production support, to a maximum of 50'000 Swiss francs (fictional production), 20'000 Swiss francs (documentary production) or 20'000 Swiss francs for finishing a fictional production and 10'000 Swiss Francs for finishing a documentary production. This support entails the global distribution rights for Switzerland. Next application deadline is 31 May 2009.

For detailed Info: Write to info@visionssudest.ch or Visit www.visionssudest.ch/?informations

National Geographic All Roads Seed Grants: The All Roads Seed Grant Program funds film projects (feature film, long documentary, short documentary, shorts, animation or music video) by and about indigenous and underrepresented minority-culture filmmakers year-round and from all reaches of the globe. The program seeks filmmakers who bring their lives and communities to light through first-person storytelling. The program awards up to 16 film projects annually with grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. Submission deadlines are quarterly on the 15th of each March, June, September, and December. Award notifications are made approximately six weeks after each of these dates.

For detailed Info: Call +1 202 857 7660, Email allroads@ngs.org or Visit: www3.nationalgeographic.com/allroads/.

Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund: This fund is dedicated to documentary films that cover world affairs, domestic issues and social conflicts in depth. It provides finishing funds to documentaries that promote social change and illuminate issues in need of comprehensive coverage. Funded films will be driven by thoughtful, accurate and complete storytelling and an innovative approach to the use of source material, production techniques, or audience engagement. This fund is looking for films which challenge the status quo not just as pertains to subject matter but also in form. In 2009 the fund will offer grants ranging from $10,000 - $25,000 totaling $100,000. The deadline is 5^th Feb 2009.

For detailed Info: Email documentary@tribecafilminstitute.org or Visit http://www.tribecafilminstitute.org/documentary/about/

Hivos Culture Fund: Film makers in developing countries have trouble obtaining film grants. This fund makes efforts promote the motion picture industry in developing countries by supporting filmmakers in various ways. The Hivos-NCDO culture fund then enables these films to be screened in the Netherlands. In addition to productions, the fund also supports film festivals, distribution initiatives and training for film makers. The fund has an India office in Bangalore.

For detailed Info: Call +91 (0) 80 22270367 / 22210514, Fax + 91 (0)80 2227 03 67, Email hivos@hivos-india.org or hivos@hivos.nl or visit www.hivos.nl.

ITVS Documentary Fund: The Independent Television Service (ITVS), an organisation from the US, funds independent producers from outside of the United States to create documentaries for U.S. television. Through the International Call, storytellers from other countries introduce U.S. audiences to their global neighbours, opening a window into unfamiliar lives, experiences and perspectives. ITVS looks for contents that explore globally significant themes and inspires public dialogue. Funds between $10,000 to $150,000 are given per documentary. The next deadline is February 6, 2009.
For detailed Info: Joy-Marie Scott at +1-415-356-8383 x232, Email joy_scott@itvs.org or Visit: http://www.itvs.org/producers/international_apply.html

VAF: The Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF) supports audiovisual production in, as well as international co-productions with Flanders. The Fund was set up by the Flanders government in 2002 and is headquartered in Brussels. The aims of the Flanders Audiovisual Fund are threefold: to develop a sustainable audiovisual industry, to encourage and support upcoming audiovisual talent and to promote a vibrant audiovisual culture in Flanders. VAF accomplishes four main tasks. It provides financial support for audiovisual productions (1) and promotes these in Flanders as well as abroad (2). The Fund also grants scholarships, finances professional training and supports/organises workshops (3) as well as carries out surveys on the audiovisual field (4).
For detailed Info: Contact for: Fiction - Dirk Cools at dcools@vaf.be; Animation - Inge Verroken at iverroken@vaf.be; Documentary - Myriam De Boeck at mdeboeck@vaf.be; or Visit http://www.vaf.be/taal/en/