New England-based directors and producers seeking production and post-production funds for feature-length (40+ min) nonfiction film and video projects are encouraged to apply for LEF’s next grant deadline on January 17, 2025.
The Moving Image Fund’s Production and Post-production grants have a two-part application process. Filmmakers interested in applying for project support must first submit a brief Letter of Inquiry (LOI). This year, the amount of information requested through the LOI form has been reduced.
From these initial inquiries, a smaller pool of applicants will be notified on Friday, March 7 about whether they are invited to submit a full application.
A maximum of eight (8) grants of $15,000 each will be awarded to projects in the Production phase, and a maximum of six (6) grants of $25,000 each will be awarded to projects in the Post-production phase during LEF’s major grants review. Please note that in order to be eligible for Post-production support, the project for which you are applying must have received previous LEF support.
- Production funds may be used for shooting picture and sound, early stage editing, equipment costs, materials, travel, and staffing (creative, technical, or otherwise)
- Post-production funds may be used for editing costs, rights, online, sound mix, color correction, transfers, distribution strategy, and staffing (creative, technical, or otherwise). To be awarded Post-production funding, the project must have already been supported by LEF at a previous stage (Early Development, Pre-production, or Production)
More information about this opportunity is available on the Guidelines and How to Apply pages of LEF’s website.
Deadline: Friday, January 17 at 11:59pm
Please note: The Moving Image Fund’s submission portal has moved.
Now, through an account with LEF’s grantmaking interface, you’ll be able to apply for funding, view your previous grant support, and complete final reports, all in one place.
For more instructions, visit LEF’s How to Apply page.
The Moving Image Fund’s eligibility criteria are:
- Projects must be long format with projected running times of 40 minutes or more.
- Primary creative personnel (director and/or producer) must reside in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont).
- Projects must not be commissioned or work-for-hire, and the director/producer creative team must have creative control of the project.
- Projects with directors or producers enrolled in high school, undergraduate or master’s degree programs at the time of application are ineligible for consideration.
- Multi-channel or installation work will not be considered.
- For prior grantees, a final report on previous LEF grant funding is required.
Still not sure if you’re eligible? Take a look at our FAQ page.
Virtual Info Session
To learn more about the Moving Image Fund, join LEF staff for a virtual info session hosted via Zoom from 3:00–4:00pm ET on Thursday, December 5.
This session will include live captioning (CART). Please let us know by Monday, November 25 if you’d like to request ASL interpretation (SVI) for this meeting.
Heads Up for Boston-area Nonfiction Filmmakers!
The Harvard Film Study Center-LEF Fellowship, an opportunity for one Boston-area filmmaker to receive a $15,000 grant and access to FSC’s pool of production and post-production equipment and community, will be accepting applications starting in early December.
You can stay up-to-date on this and more opportunities through LEF’s newsletter or by following LEF on Instagram.
