Deadline: April 10, 2025
Are you a documentary filmmaker passionate about social justice? The Ford Foundation JustFilms Grants Program is now accepting applications for feature-length documentary projects that creatively intersect with critical social justice issues. This is your opportunity to receive substantial funding and global recognition for your work.
JustFilms supports artist-driven, feature-length documentaries (50 minutes or more) that align with the Ford Foundation’s mission to advance justice, equity, and inclusion. Each year, the program funds 25-30 new documentary projects at various stages of production—development, production, or post-production.
Benefits
- Funding Opportunities: Grants typically range from $25,000 to $100,000, depending on the scope and stage of your project.
- Global Reach: Projects from filmmakers worldwide are welcome, with a focus on regions where the Ford Foundation has offices (e.g., Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East).
- Creative Independence: The program prioritizes independent productions where filmmakers retain creative control.
- Recognition and Impact: Successful applicants will gain visibility across Ford Foundation platforms and networks, amplifying their social and cultural impact.
Eligibility
- JustFilms accepts submissions for feature documentary films only (running time 50 minutes or more) from filmmakers globally, focusing on regions where the Ford Foundation has offices.
- Applicants can be production companies (US or International), sole proprietors/single-member LLCs, or organizations/projects with fiscal sponsorship.
- The open call does not support student films, short films, commissioned films where the filmmaker is not the rights holder to the project, episodic series, new media (AR, VR), podcasts, films that have already premiered or broadcast, or impact campaigns.
- While the JustFilms Open Call is open to eligible project applications from filmmakers at any career stage, successful applicants are typically able to show a deep connection to the independent documentary film ecosystem and have received relevant support for their past or current work.
Requirements
- To be considered for funding, your project must be a documentary feature film (running time of at least 50 minutes) in which the filmmaker/s have creative control. They welcome applications for direct content development, production, or post-production.
- The open call does not support student films, narrative films, short films, commissioned films where the filmmaker is not the rights holder to the project, episodic series, new media (AR, VR), podcasts, films that have already premiered or broadcast, or impact or outreach campaigns.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be assessed based on:
- Alignment with Ford Foundation Priorities: Does your project address themes such as gender justice, racial equity, disability inclusion, or power dynamics?
- Intersectional Representation: Does your film provide diverse perspectives and engage underrepresented communities?
- Innovation in Storytelling: Does your project creatively challenge conventional narratives?
- Production Viability and Independence: Is your project feasible given its budget and timeline? Are you equipped with the resources and skills to complete it?
Application
Submissions for documentary film production grants will close at 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Thursday, April 10, 2025. Submitters will be notified by September 2025 of their inquiry status.
For more information, visit Ford Foundation JustFilms Grants.
