ROLLING DEADLINES

• 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.

• The Pulitzer Center provides grants to cover the hard costs of reporting projects. Grants are open to all journalists: writers, photographers, radio producers, and filmmakers; staff journalists as well as freelancers. Deadline is rolling, find out more here.

• The Sustainability Prize, launched by Creo and Sony, offers filmmakers passionate about communicating key themes linked to the Sustainable Development Goals with $5,000, Sony digital imaging equipment, and promotion across Sony’s channels. The work of the winners will also get the chance to be honored at a showcase hosted by the United Nations Foundation and Sony Pictures. Apply here.

• Field of Vision has relaunched their *free* mentorship & consultation service! Filmmakers from around the world can sign up for consultation about Professional Development, Technical Assistance, Pitch Training, Story Development, Distribution Strategy, and more. Sign up today!

• The Undocumented Filmmakers Collective is providing an unrestricted grant for UFC members. The grant can be used for any production costs, festival fees, or even some much needed self care! Applications are open and rolling for the rest of 2025. Submit here.

• Artist Fellows at the Postcard Cabins Artist Fellowship use nature as the ultimate canvas to explore their creative sides. From painters to chefs to sculptors, the Artist Fellowship program provides a free overnight escape to nature for artists looking to harness their talents in a focused environment. Apply here.

• The Adobe Creative Residency Community Fund aims to respond to global events that directly impact the wellbeing of creators, focusing its support on an ongoing issue in order to drive positive impact over a period of time. 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.

• The BFI Doc Society Fund supports and nurtures independent non-fiction films and immersive projects by UK filmmakers: prioritising expansive, director-led storytelling. They offer both a shorts fund and a features fund. The Fund offers support of up to €150,000 for feature documentaries and immersive non-fiction projects. Apply here.

• 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.

• Sunny Side of the Doc is launching the Sunny Academy, a brand-new support program for emerging documentary talent. Learn all they have to offer here.

• All Facts co-founder and documentarian Adam Bhala Lough is launching a new documentary development grant inspired by the #stayinla movement. The STAY IN LA Grant is designed to give local documentary filmmakers the boost they need to get their projects off the ground & help bring vital local stories to life in LA. Read more.

WORKSHOPS

• Spring Filmmaking Workshops at DCTV: Looking to expand your media skills? DCTV’s Workshops offer hands-on training in cinematography, editing, documentary filmmaking, and more—taught by industry professionals. Whether you’re an aspiring storyteller or a working creative, these workshops provide essential tools to bring your ideas to life. See the list of classes and sign up here.

FUNDING & FELLOWSHIPS

• July 30: The Bronx Documentary Center is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 BDC Films Fellowship Program! This year-long program supports early-career Bronx documentary filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds. Fellows receive a $3,000 stipend, weekly filmmaking courses and workshops, equipment access, an editing suite, and a peer support network. Fellows will participate in a final film screening in May 2026. Apply here.

• July 31: The AXS Film Fund is for creators of color in documentary filmmaking or nonfiction new media who identify as living with a disability. While they prefer that a person of color living with a disability is a key contributor to the project, they welcome diverse teams to apply. Each year they award up to five creators with grants of up to $10,000 each to assist them in finishing their projects in any stage of production. Apply here.

• July 31: Verzió DocLab is a 5-day-long documentary development workshop for directors, producers and editors, focusing on story development and editing, with the goal to support emerging European documentary filmmakers. The 10th edition will take place 8-12 November, 2025 at the Budapest Campus of the Central European University. This intensive 5-day-long program is designed for first or second feature-length documentary film directors, and the editors and producers of their projects. Learn more.

• August 5: New Filmmakers LA has returned with its fifth year of NewNarratives, a content program built to identify emerging global artists by tapping into NFMLA’s community and extensive pool of artistic talent. The NewNarratives initiative advances, funds and amplifies unique, innovative creators whose narratives, stories, and characters transcend borders and dismantle convention. NewNarratives will award $25,000 total in funding. Learn more.

• August 10: Applications are now open for the 2026 Cycle of Experience by Industry Standard! This nine-month paid apprenticeship in the field of post production, supported by Netflix, offers hand-on work experience, wrap-around mentorship, and curated networking opportunities with top industry producers and companies working in documentary filmmaking. Apprenticeship tracks include archival research, color timing, and more! Apply here.

• August 11: The National Association of Black Storytellers and Mid Atlantic Arts has opened the Black Appalachian Storyteller Fellowship for applications. The Fellowship is looking for six Black storytellers working in Appalachian counties to preserve and share Black Appalachian stories. If you live in Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, or North Caroline and are dedicated to uplifting the richness of Black Appalachian narratives, this fellowship is for you! Fellows could receive a $5,000 grant and will receive travel support to attend the 43rd National Black Storytelling Festival in Atlanta. Submit here.

• August 11: CPH:DOX, EAVE and IMS (International Media Support) are calling filmmakers from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine to apply with their documentary projects in development to a tailor-made co-production training programme CHANGE. ⁠The programme will consist of three residential workshops and a presentation of the projects in the framework of CPH:FORUM 2026.⁠⁠ Learn more.

• August 12: Docubox and THE WHY Foundation are calling on African filmmakers to pitch short documentaries that explore freedom from your perspective, in the context you know best. They are looking for 6 clear, compelling narratives anchored in voices you’re well-positioned to share, with real connection to the people, places, or moments at their core. Accepted filmmakers will receive a $7,000 production grant, an online story development lab, a 5-day physical editing lab mentorship in Nairobi, and global distribution via THE WHY Foundation. Apply here.

• August 15: Calling all Southern documentary filmmakers! The 2025 Southern Documentary Fund Production Grant opens July 14, prioritizing stories made in or about the American South. Up to seven makers will be awarded with grants of $15,000 each to assist them in production. Apply here.

• August 18: Calling all Native American storytellers! Do you have a compelling real-life story to tell? Are you passionate about documentary, reality, or non-fiction TV? Applications are now open for the 5th Annual Native American Unscripted Workshop, giving you a chance to develop your documentary or docu-series, gain industry insights, and connect with leading professionals. Learn more.

• August 25: The Inspiration Forum is the platform of the International Documentary Film Festival Ji.hlava for joint reflection on the contemporary world. Their IF Lab initiates interdisciplinary cooperation and the creation of artistic projects. They are seeking 9 participants from European countries from various fields (art, film, architecture, design, sociology, ecology, biology, technological innovation, etc.), who will form interdisciplinary teams during the project’s implementation stage. Learn more.

• August 25: The Breaking Through the Lens Action Grant is open to directors worldwide who experience marginalization due to their gender. BTTL is seeking films with strong artistic merit and a bold original vision, ready to go into production before the end of 2026. This €10,000 Action Grant is designed to help you advance in a critical area of development. Submit here.

• September 3: Applications for Berlinale Talents 2026 are now open to film professionals across the world! 200 outstanding emerging filmmakers will be selected for the week-long talent development program in February 2026, jam packed with hands-on workshops, talks with world-renowned guests, networking opportunities, and much more. Apply here.

• September 30: The Reel Sisters Micro Budget Film Fellowship offers women of color a chance for $5000 to produce a short film or web series pilot. The pilot episode of your web series or short film will air on Reel Sisters Tea & Cinema virtual series and have a world premiere in their annual international Oscar qualifying film festival. Scripts must be written or co-written by a woman of color of nonbinary filmmaker of color. Apply here.

• October 8: Applications are now open for the 2025 Filmed in NC Fund, supporting bold, independent filmmakers across North Carolina. Grants from $500-$3,000 are available. Narrative, documentaries, short films, and experimental projects are eligible, and the Fund prioritizes women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ filmmakers. Learn more.

• December 1: Ready to turn your factual project into reality. Documentary Campus is calling for excellent projects from emerging filmmakers and digital creators working in documentary and factual storytelling for their training program, Masterschool. Develop your project in high quality workshops alongside key markets and festivals across Europe, and pitch on a world stage to funders, broadcasters, and more. Read more.

FESTIVAL SUBMISSIONS

• July 31: Got a short doc? Submit it to Pittsburgh Shorts. Got a feature-length doc? Submit it to Three Rivers Film Festival. Both fests are in Pittsburgh, PA and run back-to-back in November.

• July 31: The Marrakech Film Festival is now accepting submissions for the 22nd edition that will take place from November 28th to December 6th, 2025. The Festival is open to feature films (fiction, documentaries, animation and experimental films) with a minimum duration of 65 minutes. Learn more.

• August 1: Subtropic Film Festival has opened its submissions for bold, original, and thought-provoking short films. Short documentaries, narratives, experimental films, and animated shorts are welcome to apply. The film festival will take place in West Palm Beach, Florida from November 7-9. Apply here.

• August 1: The Singapore International Film Festival is accepting film submissions for their 36th edition happening from November 27 - December 7, 2025. They welcome Asian feature films and Southeast Asian short films to be part of our Official Selection and Competition sections. Enter here.

• August 1: DOC NYC just opened submissions for PITCH DAY, giving you a chance to present your work-in-progress documentary live on stage and receive expert feedback + exclusive consultations from industry reps and specialty companies. Previously known as Industry Roundtables/Only in New York, the event features 18 projects pitched on stage to a panel of industry professionals and a live audience on Thursday and Saturday, November 13 and 15, 2025 in Manhattan. Pitch here.

• August 7: Submissions are now officially open for the 2026 edition of the Prague Film Festival taking place April 14–19, 2026, in the heart of one of Europe’s most cinematic cities.Whether you’re an emerging voice or an established auteur, this is your chance to showcase your work to an audience of film professionals, distributors, critics, and passionate cinephiles from around the world. Enter here.

• August 10: Submissions for Doha Film Festival 2025 are now open for short films in the following categories: International Short Film Competition, Ajyal Film Competition, and Made in Qatar. The competitions feature cash prizes. Learn more and apply here.

• August 15: Got a science doc? Each October, Labocine’s Science New Wave Film Festival presents 64 visionary films from around the world that push the boundaries of scientific storytelling. Celebrating its 18th edition, this annual festival is held in New York and on the Labocine platform, uniting filmmakers, scientists, and audiences in a vibrant celebration of the convergence of science and cinema. Submit here.

• August 15: The Academy Award-qualifying 2026 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival is now accepting submissions! Big Sky seeks documentary films of all lengths, genres, forms, and subject matters. The 23rd annual BSDFF will take place February 13-22, 2026, in Missoula, Montana. Awards include Best Mini-Doc and the Big Sky Award, which is reserved for films of any length that artistically honor the character, history, tradition, and imagination of the American West. Learn more.

• August 27: Submissions are now open for CineMart 2026 at the International Film Festival Rotterdam! Showcase your film project to top global industry players from February 1st to the 4th, 2026. Priority will be given to projects making their first market showcase in Rotterdam. Read more.

• September 15: The Slamdance Film Festival will take place February 19–25, 2026, across venues in Los Angeles, CA. Submissions are now open via FilmFreeway or their Direct Submission Form. Slamdance champions bold, independent work across all genres, with special focus on first-time directors (Narrative & Documentary Features), the Breakouts category for returning directors, and Unstoppable films by/about disabled creators. Apply here.

• October 15: The Sonoma International Film Festival returns for its 29th edition from March 25–29, 2026, celebrating the best in global cinema, food, wine, and community. SIFF offers an exceptional platform for emerging and established filmmakers. The festival programs narrative features, documentaries, shorts, and food/wine films across all genres. Filmmakers benefit from cash prizes, lodging support, and deep networking with industry jurists and tastemakers. Submit here.

• October 28: The 19th edition of Glasgow Short Film Festival will take place 18-22 March 2026. GSFF competitions are comprised of submitted films, and other elements of the festival programme also draw from submissions. They are accepting submissions for the Scottish Film Award, open to films where one or more key role is a resident of Scotland, and the Bill Douglas Award for International Short Film Award, open to all films that do not qualify for the Scottish Film Award. Apply here.