The Hearst Screenwriting Grant is given to a mid-career screenwriter who has been a practicing writer for at least five years and who has previously written a minimum of one feature screenplay. The grant is open to writers residing in the United States whose project expresses both a unique personal perspective and an artistic approach to the subject. Priority is given to writers whose previous short or feature screenplays have been produced as an independent film.
HEARST FUNDING CYCLE IS NOW OPEN.
- Letter of Inquiry period opens May 23, 2012 and closes June 21, 2012, late deadline is June 28, 2012
- Finalists are invited to submit additional materials July 11, 2012
- Additional materials deadline for finalists is August 11, 2012
- Winner will be announced September 2012
ELIGIBILITY
SFFS Filmmaking Grants are open to screenwriters that satisfy the following criteria.
- Applicant must be at least 18 years old.
- Applicant must have been a practicing writer for at least five years and have written a minimum of one previous feature screenplay.
- Applicant must reside in the United States.
- Work must express both a unique personal perspective and artistic approach to the subject.
- The application, screenplays and treatments must be written in English.
- Scripts must be properly formatted to industry standard. Digital submissions must be in PDF format only.
- Scripts by more than one writer are eligible but the grant will be given to the applicant only.
Priority will be given to
- Writers who have had their previous short or feature screenplays made into an independent film.
- Projects that are vibrant, intelligent, moving and innovative.
- Please note that while we encourage filmmakers to apply for to the SF Internation Film Festival, Cinema by the Bay and Filmmaker360 project development program, winning a grant from Filmmaker360 does not guaranteed acceptance into any of the above programs.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
- Filmmaker clearly articulates his or her intended goals for the Grant
- Filmmaker demonstrates how the Grant will impact short- and long-term professional and artistic goals.
RESTRICTIONS
- Filmmaker may not be a SFFS employee or member of any SFFS board.
- Filmmaker may not be a full-time student.
- Project is not work for hire.
- Only one application per project will be accepted.
- Script must not have been optioned, purchased, in production or produced.
- Adaptations of any work (other than your own or your co-writer's) are not eligible.
DEADLINES
- Letter Of Inquiry (LOI) period opened September 1, 2011
- LOI deadline was October 5, 2011
- Finalists are invited to submit additional materials October 22, 2011
- Additional materials deadline for finalists is November 16, 2011
- Winner will be announced December 2011
HOW TO APPLY
Submit a Letter of Inquiry on the SFFS website when the funding cycle opens. If you are not a SFFS member, please pay the $35 administrative fee here. The fee is waived for members at the Filmmaker Pro Level or higher.
Finalists will be asked to submit the following:
* A three to ten page treatment
* A minimum of ten pages of the script you are applying for
* Work Sample: A minimum of ten pages of a previous feature screenplay
* A work sample explanation
NOTE: Filmmakers with incomplete applications will not be considered
Work samples and full application must be received by 5:00 pm on November 16, 2012 to:
SFFS / Hearst Screenwriting Grant
c/o San Francisco Film Society
39 Mesa Street, Suite 110
San Francisco, CA 94129
REVIEW PANEL
The Film Society will convene a panel to evaluate applications and award grants at its sole discretion.
CREDITING SAN FRANCISCO FILM SOCIETY
Filmmaker shall provide acknowledgement with a "With the Support of San Francisco Film Society and the Hearst Screenwriting Grant" in the credits of the final product as well as the SFFS logo.
REPORTING REQUIREMENT
Grant recipients will be required to submit a progress report and a new work sample six months, from the date of the grant award.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For submissions: apply here
Website: https://sffs.wufoo.com
