2023 INDIE GRANTS FUNDING CYCLE WILL OPEN IN APRIL
Check Out the 2022 Selected Projects Here
The South Carolina Film Commission and Trident Technical College invite South Carolina filmmakers to apply for INDIE GRANTS, production grants for narrative short film projects. Created to support the state’s production industry and generate professional training environments for Trident Tech film students, INDIE GRANTS produce high-quality short films with a reputation for professionalism, practicality, and inventive storytelling.
Past films have been official selections of top film festivals like Sundance, Tribeca, Palm Springs, Austin Film Festival, FantasticFest, Cucalorus, Tall Grass, Slamdance, Stiges, Oxford, Nashville Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival, Indie Memphis, LA Film Festival, DragonCon, and many more.
Recent collaborators include Oscar-winning DP Russell Carpenter (Titanic, Avatar 2), actress Anna Camp (Pitch Perfect, Perfect Harmony) actor AJ Bowen (You’re Next, The Sacrament), DP Peter Simonite (The Perfect Guy, 2nd Unit DP on Tree of Life), and writer Brad Land (Goat).
Find all info and link to application below. APPLICATIONS DUE BY 11:59 pm ET on AUGUST 1, 2022.
Please thoroughly review all info here, the INDIE GRANTS FAQ page, and the APPLICATION/TERMS & CONDITIONS before applying so that you understand the program’s submission process and its policies and procedures.
INDIE GRANTS funding can range from $20,000 to $35,000 to cover the full production and finishing of the project (pre-production, principal photography, and post-production). INDIE GRANTS projects are expected to manage their productions with a high level of professionalism and production value throughout. Cost-efficiency, smart management of funds, and pooling of resources will be key.
Exact funding amounts are based on the needs of the selected project(s), amount of funding available through the INDIE GRANTS program, and other factors at the discretion of INDIE GRANTS, the South Carolina Film Commission, Trident Technical College, and their panel of independent industry evaluators.
Your submission must include the following. PLEASE NOTE: You will not be able to save your application to return to later once you begin submitting. Compose and compile these materials before starting your submission:
Short film script in industry standard format as PDF (max15-pages, not including title page).
Logline. A brief description of your film (max 50 words).
Look Book/Treatment as a PDF document. Show us the Director’s overall vision for executing the story, locations, casting, cinematography, production design, etc. Exact format is at your discretion. This will be the first visual representation of your script so use it as an opportunity to help the evaluators understand what your film will look and feel like. (Get more information on Look Books here, including samples.)
Preliminary production strategy (max 600 words). Include information on the following: Likely shooting area(s) in South Carolina and why; estimated number of shoot days; process for securing key collaborators like DP, Production Designer, and AD (list specific personnel with credits if you already have them in place); and any other info you think is key to the management of your production.
A preliminary budget as a PDF reflecting how you would produce your film within the above range. If selected, you will not be tied to this; it’s understood that amounts will move around by actual costs, but you must fully complete the film within the agree-upon grant amount. A SAMPLE BUDGET is provided for your reference, based on crew size and structure INDIE GRANTS short films have typically followed. You are not required to use these forms or this structure; they are optional and for your reference only. (Download a Movie Magic Budgeting file and PDF file of the SAMPLE BUDGET here).
Names, contact info, and links to previous work samples for Writer, Director (or Writer/Director), Producer, and Production Manager/Line Producer.
Brief bio for each of these team members (max 250 words).
IF NOT A CURRENT SOUTH CAROLINA RESIDENT: Description of how you and your team are home-grown South Carolina filmmakers (max 500 words). At least one member of your core team must be a native South Carolina filmmaker with a South Carolina legal address; if not a current South Carolina resident, you can still qualify if you’re legitimately home-grown based on this explanation.
READY TO SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT? CLICK HERE.
INCOMPLETE OR INACCURATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Email INDIE GRANTS Producer Brad Jayne with any questions about your project or the process.
Click here for more background on INDIE GRANTS. View recent INDIE GRANTS shorts here. Watch a video on the program below:
