Written by Lyra Woods
Due to the unforeseeable events related to COVID-19, most work for filmmakers across the nation has been cancelled, or postponed in support of social distancing and other preventative actions. To help ease some of the community’s financial burden, many organizations around the country have established emergency funds to support artists. Listed below are just a few fund projects that support filmmakers, artists and their projects. Most programs are first come, first served. So apply fast!
If you have money and resources, please consider donating to foundations that support those who face financial hardship from closings, postponed productions, organizational furloughs, layoffs, and other lost wages.
Stay informed by checking updated facts on Coronavirus at CDC.
Be safe, healthy, and above all STAY POSITIVE!
Funding Opportunities for Filmmakers
Emergency Filmmaker Support Fund (Film Independent)
Grants range from $500 to $5,000 will be provided to only Film Independent Fellows whose livelihoods have been largely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Priority will be given to those with immediate health issues, individuals from marginalized communities, followed by filmmakers who have projects in post-production. They also give special consideration for applicants who can provide employment opportunities for others. They are accepting applicants at Submittable.
Stay informed by checking updated facts on Coronavirus at CDC.
Any individual artist in any discipline whose income has been impacted by COVID19-related cancellations and closures may apply for Artist Relief Project’s emergency relief and support. You only need to demonstrate: (1) you are an artist actively working and committed to pursuing the arts as a career and (2) you have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. First come first first served request; Click here to apply.
Artist Relief is distributing $5,000 grants to artists facing financial emergencies due to COVID-19. Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered: 1) must be a practicing artist able to demonstrate a sustained commitment to work, career and a public audience; 2) must be 21 years old or elder; 3) must been living and working in the U.S. for the last two years; 4) must be able to provide SSN; 5) not a full-time employee, board member, director, officer, or immediate family member of any of the coalition partner of the Artist Relief; 6) have not previously been awarded a relief grant from this fund. You can apply at Submittable.
Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund
The Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund aims to help those pursuing careers as artists or arts administrators whose income has been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund is for US-based BIPOC artists and administrators, and it is a ONE-TIME micro grant of $200. You can apply here.
Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF)
MPTF is a charitable organization that offers assistance and care to those in the motion picture and television industries with limited or no resources. Their eligibility requirements have been broadened recently so that they may be of assistance to the most people possible. They can help with issues including health insurance, mental health assistance, rent, food and other essentials. Check out their website for Covid-19 Emergency Relief Funds. You can also call them at 323 634 3888 (under 65) or 323 634 3866 (over 65).
The Directors Guild Foundation (DGF) aids its members directly impacted by the current production shutdown with $1,000 financial relief grants. Members of DGF in good standing who were working on productions at the time of the suspension in March, or had a commitment to begin work on a production suspended at that time, will be eligible to apply for a grant if they have less than $10,000 in liquid assets, or if they have a demonstrated need.
Feed the Freelancer supports non-union freelancers who are unemployed due to COVID-19, and in need of fresh produce, shelf stable goods and household necessities. They are only serving freelancers in NYC, Jersey City, Nassau County & Philadelphia at this time. They hope to soon expand their coverage.
Behind the Scenes Grants (Behind the Scenes Foundation)
Behind the Scenes will accept applications from anyone who has been hospitalized with Covid-19 and is in financial need. Applicants have to be in the entertainment technology industry for at least five years.
ITVS’s Open Call provides documentary funding and co-production support so artists can complete their nonfiction work in progress. Their Diversity Development Fund gives producers of color up to $25,000 in research and development funding (pre-production nonfiction only).
Freelancers Relief Fund (Freelancers Union)
Freelancers Relief Fund will offer financial assistance of up to $1,000 per freelance household to cover lost income and essential expenses not covered by government relief programs, including: food/food supplies, utility payments, cash assistance to cover income loss. It is temporarily closed for submission due to the high number of responses they have received. However, they plan to reopen once they process the received applications.
American Documentary COVID-19 Artist Emergency Fund
AmDoc provides a one-time grant, up to $500 per recipient, for directors or producers working the field of documentary filmmaking. Although they are currently taking a pause to reassess the fund project, they plan to re-open the fund as soon as possible. You can sign up on their website to receive a notice when the fund reopens.
Since the aforementioned funds have limited capacities, below is a list of additional financial support opportunities and resources that aim to help artists (including non-film related creators) move their projects forward.
Association of Film Commissioners International. This site provides resource on COVID-19-related restrictions in cities, states and countries around the world.
Women Make Movies. This site provides a list of Regional non-profit organizations, state film offices & local arts councils, and cinemas around the country, organized by region.
COVID-19 Resources for Artists and Arts Organizations. Here, the National Endowment for the Arts lists organizations that are providing frequently updated news and resources for artists and arts organizations.
The Writers’ Emergency Fund (PEN America) assists established fiction and non-fiction authors, poets, playwrights, screenwriters, translators, and journalists. Currently closed, but plan to send out notice in September, 2020.
The COVID-19 & Freelance Artist Resources list is designed to serve freelance artists (including actors, designers, producers, technicians, stage managers, musicians, composers, choreographers, visual artists, filmmakers, craft artists, teaching artists, dancers, writers & playwrights, photographers, etc.,) and those interested in supporting the independent artist community.
The Actors Fund helps people cover basic living expenses, such as food, essential medications, utilities and more.
The Authors League Fund helps professional authors, journalists, poets and dramatists who are in financial need because of medical or health-related problems, temporary loss of income, or other misfortune.
Carnegie Fund for Authors The Carnegie Fund for Authors awards grants to published authors who are in need of emergency financial assistance.
Behind the Scenes Grant will accept applications from anyone who has been hospitalized with COVID-19 and is in financial need. You may be eligible for a grant if you are seriously ill or injured and currently reside in the United States or Canada and have earned your living for at least five years in the entertainment technology industry.
Dramatists Guild Foundation. This fund provides emergency financial assistance to individual playwrights, composers, lyricists and book writers.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts: The Foundation for Contemporary Arts created a temporary fund for experimental artists who have been impacted by the economic fallout from postponed or canceled performances and exhibitions.
Max’s Kansas City The Max’s Kansas City project provides emergency funding & resources to professionals in the creative arts.
Hollywood Support Staff COVID-19 Relief Fund This Fund covers a one-time stipend of $450–$900 for LA-based assistants and support staffers affected by COVID-19 shutdowns.
PEN American Writer’s Emergency Fund PEN America will distribute grants of $500 to $1,000 based on applications that demonstrate an inability to meet an acute financial need, especially one resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Photographer Fund This fund provides photographers impacted by COVID-19 emergency relief.
Queer Writers of Color Relief This fund is for queer writers of color who are in need of financial assistance.
Rauschenberg Emergency Grants The program will provide one-time grants of up to $5,000 for unexpected medical emergencies for visual and media artists and choreographers.
SAG-AFTRA Relief Fund This fund is available for SAG members who are unable to pay their basic living expenses (food/housing/health care) over the next two months.
Twenty Summers Emergency Arts Fund: For artists and arts organizations facing unmanageable financial loss as a result of the coronavirus.
WGAW Good and Welfare Emergency Assistance Loans offers loans to provide temporary emergency financial assistance for current members and post-current members of the WGAW.
Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Assistance Fund
This fund aims to provide emergency financial assistance to those who have worked in theatrical exhibition for a minimum of five years.
If you have money and resources, please consider donating to foundations that support those who face financial hardship from closings, postponed productions, organizational furloughs, layoffs, and other lost wages.
Sources:
Woman Make Film, Film Independent, Deadlines, Actors Fund, Variety, LA Times, IFP, Association of Film Commissioners International, CDC, MPTF.