💰 Funding:

• Feb 1: The Switchboard Shorts Grant is offering a $2500 cash grant to one filmmaker working on a short documentary. Alongside the grant, the filmmaker will also receive essential production services, including free music licenses, complimentary legal services, and professional color correction. Apply here.
• Feb 2: DokFest's all inclusive Documentary Film Award, endowed with $5,000 awards, honors documentary film productions in which filmmakers with disabilities play a leading role. The prize is awarded for the inclusive team effort in the realization of the film. Submit here.
• Feb 4: Chicken & Egg Films’ 2026 Research & Development Grant, supported by Netflix, is open for applications. The Grant empowers filmmakers from around the world who have directed at least one feature-length documentary and are in the research & development stage of their next feature-length film. Apply here.
• Feb 10: The IDFA Bertha Fund offers support to filmmakers from and based in countries on the IBF Classic Country List in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Oceania. Beyond funding, IBF offers continual support by connecting granted filmmakers with the independent international documentary film landscape. The next deadline for entries is February 10, with deadlines in April and May as well. Apply here.
• Feb 12: The Sundance Institute and Adobe are teaming up to find the next 10 Sundance Institute Ignite x Adobe Fellows. Applicants will submit a one- to 15-minute short that shows their artistic vision and unique voice as a filmmaker. Fellows will receive a $5,000 grant, mentorship from a Sundance Institute alumnus, a complimentary 12-month Adobe Creative Cloud membership, and more! Submit here.
• Feb 13: Genera Films’ Kino Short Film Fund supports independent filmmakers worldwide with production, post‑production or distribution funding up to £5,000 plus valuable in‑kind support such as camera kits, lighting and mentorship. The program is open to filmmakers at any stage and in any genre, and aims to boost bold, original storytelling. Learn more here.
• Feb 14: QCShorts 2026 is now accepting submissions for short films in early stages of development, with production grants now worth 700,000 Philippine pesos.
 Selected projects will make their world premiere at the QCinema International Film Festival in November 2026. All rights remain with the filmmaker. Apply here.
• March 1: The International Center of Photography’s Leica Scholarship aims to elevate and supports underrepresented voices in photography by providing opportunities and resources to increase their visibility and impact within the photography community. This scholarship will be awarded to one applicant of extraordinary achievement and includes tuition for the ICP’s One Year Certificate Program, an exhibition at the Leica store, and more. Apply here.
• March 1: The Alberto Contreras Scholarship from the International Center of Photography provides full tuition for the ICP’s Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism program. The Scholarship is open to Latin American Applicants currently residing in Latin America. More information here.
• March 4: The TorinoFilmLab Co-Production Fund awards three feature‑film co‑productions €50,000 each and provides tailored consultations and access to the TFL Meeting Event. Projects must be fiction, creative documentary or animation over 60 minutes, in advanced development, and involve co‑production between MEDIA‑participating countries (Europe) and non‑MEDIA countries. Learn more here.
• March 6: Yahoo is partnering with the Nonfiction Hotlist to create a new pathway for nonfiction filmmakers to showcase their work to a global audience. Through this partnership, Yahoo will promote and distribute 20 documentary shorts. Selected filmmakers will be paid for their films, and outside of distribution, Yahoo will organize promotional support including filmmaker interviews and companion articles. Apply here.
• March 8: Scientific American is searching for powerful, character-driven stories about the science behind conservation research for THE PROTECTORS, a new short documentary series. These films explore the intersection of scientific rigor and personal grit as researchers grapple with the survival of endangered species and the systemic challenges they must overcome to save them. Accepted projects are eligible for up to $80,000 in production funding. Learn more here. 
• March 31: The Roy W. Dean Grant supports independent films that are unique and make a meaningful contribution to society. Open internationally to documentaries, narrative features, shorts, web series and multimedia projects with budgets under $500,000, the spring grant offers a $3,500 cash prize plus over $20,000 in donated production services and discounts, as well as a free consultation on their proposal. Apply here.
• Rolling: The Outrider AI + Nuclear Reporting Fund supports journalism and multimedia storytelling projects that explain the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and nuclear weapons. Journalists may receive up to $10,000 for projects, supporting expenses such as travel, research, multimedia production, and more. Deadline is rolling, submit your project here.
• Rolling: The Pulitzer Center’s Global Reporting Grant supports in-depth, high-impact nonfiction projects that push boundaries and spotlight underreported stories. The Grant is open to journalists, filmmakers, and visual storytellers worldwide, and the typical award amount is $5,000-$10,000. Apply here.
• Rolling: The Adobe Creative Residency Community Fund provides support to creators during times of extraordinary hardship, empowering creators of all backgrounds to have access to the tools and inspiration they need. The Community Fund aims to respond to global events that directly impact the wellbeing of creators. Adobe is currently focusing their Community Fund efforts on providing support to creators who have been directly impacted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Learn more.
• Rolling: Panavision’s New Filmmaker Grant Program offers grants for camera equipment and post-production services. The equipment grant provides use of Panavision digital or film camera packages, while the post-production grant works with Light Iron to provide new filmmakers with access to final color and finishing services. Only available in the US. Apply here.
• Rolling: The British Council Travel Grant Fund is helping filmmakers bring their work to the global stage. Whether your short or feature is screening at an eligible festival, lab, or co-production forum, you may qualify for support. Learn more here.
• Rolling: International Women’s Media Foundation has launched the 2025 Ukraine Reporting Grant. This program supports journalists from local and regional outlets in the U.S., France, and Germany in producing in-depth projects or underreported stories from Ukraine that will resonate with their respective home communities. The IWMF will approve fifteen to twenty reporting grants (average size of $8,000). Apply here.

📓 Winter/Spring Workshops:

• DCTV, based in downtown Manhattan, is offering 30+ hands-on workshops focused on the skills filmmakers need now, from ethical AI workflows and story structure, to grant writing, advancing camera and editing techniques, and more. Led by experienced filmmakers, each workshop emphasizes practical application, small group learning, and tools you can put to work immediately. Even better, use early bird discount code RDYTOLRN26 when booking (until Jan 20)! Find out more here.

🏆 Awards:

• Feb 20: Our partners at the Tellys honor excellence in video and television across all screens, with expanded categories in Documentary, News, and Social Impact, and new categories in Animation, Creators, and Generative AI. They also have new judges from Youtube, BBC Storyworks, HBO, and the WNBA. Whether you are making original shorts, commercials, documentaries, social content, or animation, check out the new season and enter now.

🎬 Fellowships, Labs, and Pitches:

• Feb 1: IDFA Project Space is a talent development lab for first- or second-time documentary directors looking to develop their projects under the guidance of renowned filmmakers and industry mentors. The program runs from June to September 2026, combining online workshops with a week-long, in-person residency in Amsterdam. Submit here.
• Feb 1: Institute of Documentary Film and Millennium Docs Against Gravity are looking for short docs (up to 25 minutes) from Central and Eastern Europe in development for their Short Pitch Program. Seven selected filmmakers will receive online pitch training and present their projects in Warsaw to industry leaders with a chance to compete for the Silver Eye Award, which includes a year-long festival distribution service. Learn more about the opportunity here.
• Feb 3: The Berlin Artist-in-Residency offers selected Berlin-Brandenburg filmmakers the opportunity to gain international experience and forge industry contacts. Applicants have the opportunity to apply for residencies in Mexico, India, France, and Greece. Apply here.
• Feb 19: Grierson Trust, organizer of the British Documentary Awards, is seeking UK-based applicants aged 18-25 who are passionate about documentary filmmaking for the Grierson DocLab: New Entrants training program. The initiative takes place over one year and aims to equip 12 successful trainees with the skills and connections to pursue a career in documentary television in the UK. Submit here.
• March 1: Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival’s Kathmandu Doc Lab is a residential incubation program designed to nurture non-fiction cinema from across South Asia. The Lab is accepting applications from South Asian documentary filmmakers who are working on first or second feature-length creative documentaries in development or early production. Submit here.
• March 2: CPH:DOX International Documentary Film Festival is looking for applicants for their emerging talents program, INTRO:DOX. Designed to welcome filmmakers and producers who are working on their first or second nonfiction feature and wish to attend CPH:FORUM, the program will include access to all industry activities, a discounted price for the forum, and two full days of interactive sessions providing essential tools. Apply here.
• March 20: The Kino Guarimba film residency is a 12-day artistic residency in Amantea, Calabria where 50 international filmmakers, actors, and technicians collaborate to write and produce films. The residency emphasizes cultural exchange and creative autonomy, and will provide lodging, access to equipment, educational resources, social events, and more. Submit here.
• March 30: EURODOC’s five‑day workshop, running June 1-5 in Tallinn, offers Estonian and Lithuanian producers personalized mentoring, masterclasses and networking to develop their documentary projects. Up to 6 producers from each country plus career‑development and observer spots will be selected. The program covers tuition and accommodation; participants cover travel (with up to €150 reimbursement for Lithuanians). Learn more here.
• April 3: Rough Cut Lab Africa returns for its 9th edition, running from the 30th May to the 28th June 2026. The Lab is a programme that supports independent African films in the rough cut stage. RCLAfrica pairs directors and editors with expert African and Pan-African story consultants from all fields of the filmmaking world. Apply here.
• Rolling: Submit your documentary for Educational Distribution with GOOD DOCS! If your latest doc is based on education and engaging with students about rarely heard stories then this is where your next application should be. Find out more here.
• Rolling: More to Her Story is always looking for pitches from women in journalism. They believe in solutions journalism and its power to drive real-world change. In a world where women’s rights are increasingly under threat, they champion the voices of female journalists and use their stories as catalysts to drive lasting change. Pitch here. 

🎥 Film Festival Submissions:

• Feb 2: Jackson Wild is accepting submissions for their World Wildlife Day 2026 Film Showcase, with this year’s theme being Medicinal & Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage, and Livelihoods. It’s free to submit, and selected films will receive global recognition through educational screenings throughout 2026. Learn more here.
• Feb 9: Presented by the California Film Institute, DOCLANDS 10th Documentary Film Festival will take place April 30-May 3 in Marin County, CA. The Festival emphasizes new works in documentary features and shorts. Apply here.
• Feb 10: The American Black Film Festival is taking place from May 27-31 in Miami Beach. Submissions are now open for narrative features, documentary features, series, voices of culture, African stories (deadline Dec 31st), AI & XR storytelling showcase, and the HBO Short Film Award. Submit here.
• Feb 13: DC/DOX is accepting films for consideration for its fourth edition, running June 11-14 in Washington D.C. The festival accepts feature documentaries and short documentaries, and gives preference to films that have not yet premiered in Washington D.C. DC/DOX provides abundant networking opportunities and social events, as well as a series of panels, master classes, and workshops. Submit here.
• Feb 13: Celebrate 30 years of indie film at Rooftop Films’ Summer Series in NYC! Summer Series is open for submissions of shorts and features of all genres. Every filmmaker who submits will receive two free tickets to a Rooftop screening, and selected films will be screened throughout summer 2026. Learn more.
• Feb 25: If you have a short or mid-length documentary from anywhere in the world, submit it to the second edition of LimaDocs! The film festival will take place May 14-23, and keep an eye on their social media for information on prizes sponsored by partner organizations. Apply here.
• March 8: The Waco Independent Film Festival is all about connection, community, and having a Texas-sized good time. The festival accepts submissions of all genres and will also feature industry panels, a screenwriting competition, Q&As, and a mechanical bull! Submit here.
• March 27: The Climate Film Festival (CFF) is New York City’s first city-wide film festival dedicated to climate in all its forms. From narrative and documentary features to experimental shorts and music videos, CFF harnesses the transformative power of motion pictures, showcasing new and established voices, classic climate films, and energizing human stories. Apply here (by February 19 if you want to catch the early bird deadline).
• March 31: NewFilmmakers LA (NFMLA) screens monthly at South Park Center. Each month, NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) presents red carpet screenings of documentary, short and feature films that have been selected from submissions from all over the world, followed by a Q&A with each film’s director. Filmmakers can submit monthly, but for consideration for the spring line-up, submit by March 31 here.
• April 1: MAKEDOX aims to promote creative documentary film production in North Macedonia and support documentary storytelling in general. MAKEDOX focuses on creating a stimulating environment for the exchange of experience and knowledge of documentary creation. The Festival will be held from August 20-27 in Skopje, North Macedonia. Submit your film here.
• April 1: Submissions are now open for the 15th annual BlackStar Film Festival! The Festival, taking place August 6-9 in Philadelphia and online globally, is a celebration of the visual and storytelling traditions of Black, Brown, and Indigenous people around the world. Learn more here.
• May 7: The Košice International Film Festival is a film festival aimed at film professionals, critics, distributors, arthouse audiences, and film school students. Each year, the festival screens and hosts in person several award-winning Slovak films, including short and feature length documentaries. Cash prizes are available for each of the festival’s accepted genres. Submit here.
• May 11: Points North is seeking submissions for the 22nd edition of the Camden International Film Festival, taking place in Midcoast Maine September 17-20. Submit to any of the four deadlines between now and May 11. VC members can use the code CIFF50VIDCON for 50% off their submission. Learn more here.
• June 3: Bolton International Film Festival is the largest short film festival in the North West of England and sits amongst the leading short film festivals in the UK. The festival is a BAFTA & BIFA qualifying short film festival that, among other genres, accepts documentaries, experimental entries, and VR/AR experiences. June 3 is the final deadline, but you can learn more about early bird deadlines and submit your film here.
• June 18: DOC NYC’s 17th edition will run November 11-29, 2026 in New York City and online. The festival welcomes documentary features, shorts, and episodic works, with a strong preference for NYC premieres. Selected filmmakers gain festival passes and access to DOC NYC PRO industry events. The final deadline to submit is June 18, but submit March 2 for an early bird entry discount. Enter your film here.