Deadline: July 16, 2025
Applications are open for the Mountainfilm Commitment Grant & Emerging Filmmaker Fellowship 2025. Mountainfilm is committed to supporting documentary filmmakers in telling stories that support their mission to inspire audiences to create a better world. They seek non-fiction stories celebrating adventure, activism, social justice, culture, environment and indomitable spirit.
The Commitment Grants are focused on supporting documentary filmmakers in the production or post-production stages. Mountainfilm promotes and encourages diversity behind the camera. They welcome applicants from any country. Funding for this program is provided by Mountainfilm’s Filmmaker Fund, Borsecnik/Weil Family and Jess Stevens and Stephen Pollard in honor of the life of Isabella de la Houssaye.
The Emerging Filmmaker fellowship provides one filmmaker with a yearlong mentorship, including edit and story consultation, networking opportunities and a cash award. In addition, the fellowship includes a trip to Telluride during the festival over Memorial Day weekend, covering travel, lodging and a Mountainfilm pass.
Grant
- The Grant Awards will range from $1,000 to $5,000.
Eligibility
- They accept applicants from any country, however, you must be currently residing in the United States.
- You are REQUIRED to include a video sample or trailer of your current project, no longer than 10 minutes. They prefer password-protected Vimeo links instead of file uploads.
- They consider projects in production or post-production only. Projects that are completed, have already been released, or have screened at festivals will not be considered.
- If you have previously received Commitment Grant funding for this project, do not re-apply. If you have already applied for funding with this project in the past and were not granted, you may re-apply only if there have been substantial changes.
- They do not fund completed projects or impact campaigns.
Expectations
If you are the recipient of a Mountainfilm Commitment Grant, they expect the following:
- Regular updates on progress, 2–3 times annually.
- The Mountainfilm logo or name recognition in film or project credits that corresponds with the level of support.
- A discussion of premiere consideration with the Mountainfilm programming team, if the film is selected for inclusion at the festival.
- Depending on the level of support and length of film, they may require premiere status (Colorado or U.S.) and request the right to screen on Mountainfilm on Tour.
Application
Applications close at 11:59 PM MDT on the last day of the application period. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.
For more information, visit Mountainfilm Commitment Grant & Emerging Filmmaker Fellowship.
