Each year, Film Independent awards a number of grants to help filmmakers with their current projects, as well as to recognize them for past accomplishment. Since 1995, we have given out over $860,000 in cash grants to our fellows.

SLOAN PRODUCERS GRANT

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation awards one participant of Film Independent's Producers Lab the annual Sloan Producers Grant. The recipient will receive a $25,000 development grant, admission to Film Independent's 2008 Producers Lab, and year-round support from Film Independent.

The grant is funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, which seeks to create and develop new scripts and films about science and technology and to see them into commercial production with national and international distribution. It has screenplay development programs with the Tribeca, Sundance, and Hamptons Film Festivals, as well as other select independent partners and film schools.

To apply for the Sloan Producers Grant, the applicant must apply to the 2008 Producers Lab and indicate in their letter that they wish to be considered for the Sloan Grant. To be eligible for the Sloan grant the applicant must be attached as producer and possess the rights to the script with which they are applying and the screenplay should have a scientific, mathematical, and/or technological theme and storyline or have a leading character who is a scientist, engineer, or mathematician.

The 2007 Sloan Producers Grant was awarded to Monique Caulfield for her film Basmati Blues. Click here to read more about Monique Caulfield and the other 2007 Producers Lab participants.

Sloan Producers Grant Deadline & Fees
Deadline: 7 July 2008 (postmarked)
$55 Film Independent Members
$75 Non-members

For more information regarding the Sloan Producers Grant and/or the Lab, please contact Filmmaker Labs Associate Jennifer Kushner at 310.432.1275 or JKushner@filmindependent.org

SPIRIT AWARD FILMMAKER GRANTS

Every year at the Spirit Awards (link), Film Independent gives out 3 Filmmaker Grants. The recipients of these awards become Film Independent Fellows and receive unrestricted cash grants of $25,000. The awards are by nomination only.

Someone to Watch Award

The Someone to Watch Award recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. Past winners include: Marc Forster (Everything Put Together), Andrew Bujalski (Funny Ha Ha), and Larry Fessenden (Habit).

The Winner of the 14th annual Acura Someone To Watch Award is Ramin Bahrani, director of Chop Shop.

Truer Than Fiction Award

The Truer Than Fiction Award is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant attention. Past winners include: Adele Horne (The Tailenders), Garrett Scott and Ian Olds (Occupation: Dreamland), Ross Kauffman and Zana Briski (Born into Brothels), and Errol Morris (Fast, Cheap & Out of Control).

The Winner of the 12th annual IFC Truer Than Fiction Award is Laura Dunn for The Unforeseen.

Producers Award

The Producers Award honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity, and vision required to produce quality, independent films. Past winners include: Gina Kwon (Me and You and Everyone We Know), Caroline Baron (Capote), and Effie Brown (Real Women Have Curves).

The Winner of the 11th annual Piaget Producers Award is Neil Kopp, producer of Paranoid Park and Old Joy.

For more information on the Spirit Awards visit the official site.

To see a full list of the nominees and grant winners from previous years visit:
The Spirit Awards Archive