Welcome to Artist Development at Film Independent! Below you will see all of our open applications.
- You will need to create a free Submittable account or sign in with Google or Facebook credentials to submit.
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- Once you submit your application, we cannot accept updated materials.
- We do our best to follow up with all applicants 2-4 weeks before the start of any given program. Please be sure to safelist notification emails from Submittable and check the email you used to sign up for your Submittable Account regularly.
Program Questions?
Take a look at our Programs page for more details on timelines, application materials, and eligibility concerns.
If you have any additional questions, please contact us at artistdevelopment@filmindependent.org.
Technical Questions?
Check out the Submitter Resource Center or contact Submittable Customer Support.
With generous support from our founding sponsor Netflix, the Film Independent Amplifier Fellowship will provide direct support to emerging and mid-career Black American filmmakers.
Each year, the Amplifier Fellowship program will support six Black filmmakers – writers, directors, producers and animators.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Identify as Black or African American;
- Be an alumni of Film Independent’s Project Involve, Artist Development programs or a past Spirit Award Nominee - or -
- Be nominated by a colleague arts organization; be writers, directors, and producers; and apply with a current project (feature length or episodic, fiction or non-fiction) that is in development.
The Amplifier Fellowship program will run for one full year, with selections taking place at the beginning of 2024.
During the program, the Amplifier Fellows will continue to develop their projects, receiving mentorship and feedback from Netflix executives as well as other seasoned industry professionals, including a Film Independent board member. In addition to project-specific support, these filmmakers will receive access and guidance that will foster their particular projects and further their professional careers. Additionally, each Fellow will receive a $30,000 unrestricted stipend for the year.
As part of the Fellowship, Fellows are invited to attend all Film Independent events including the Spirit Awards, Film Independent Forum, Directors Close-Up and all educational programming and Film Independent Presents screening and Q&A events.
Before You Begin
Please complete and submit the following electronic application form. You will be able to save your application and add documents or information until the application deadline. Once you click "submit," the application will be considered final and no additional information will be accepted. If you do not click "submit," the application will not be considered. At the end of the submission form, you will be asked for your payment information.
Please be advised: the application may time out if you keep it open for a long time. It is recommended that you keep a backup of your answers in a separate document. Save early and often. You can verify that your application has saved by logging out and logging back in.
Application Deadline: January 10, 2024
Program Questions? Please contact the Artist Development team at artistdevelopment@filmindependent.org.
Technical Questions? Check out the Submitter Resource Center or contact Submittable Customer Support.
Before You Begin
Thank you for your interest in Film Independent's Documentary Story Lab. The 2024 Documentary Story Lab is a full-time, one week program that will take place in April of 2024. The program is designed to provide individualized story and career development for documentary directors with a project in post-production.
Applicants must submit a work sample which should include a minimum of a polished trailer and scene selects, all the way up to a rough cut.
Filmmakers that have yet to complete the majority of principal photography and those that do not yet have any footage assembled are not eligible to apply.
Please complete and submit the following electronic application form. You will be able to save your application and add documents or information until the application deadline. Once you click "submit," the application will be considered final and no additional information will be accepted. If you do not click "submit," the application will not be considered. At the end of the submission form, you will be asked for your payment information.
Please be advised: the application may time out if you keep it open for a long time. It is recommended that you keep a backup of your answers in a separate document. Save early and often. You can verify that your application has saved by logging out and logging back in.
All applicants will be notified 3-4 weeks before the program start date. If you don't receive a notification, please check your spam folder.
Applications Open: October 16, 2023
Regular Deadline: January 15, 2024
Extended Member Deadline: January 29, 2024
Program Questions? Please contact the Artist Development team at artistdevelopment@filmindependent.org.
Technical Questions? Check out the Submitter Resource Center or contact Submittable Customer Support.
Thank you for your interest in Film Independent's Fiscal Sponsorship.
Please complete and submit the following electronic application form. Note that applications can take approximately 4 - 8 weeks to be assessed.
You must be a current Film Independent Member to apply for fiscal sponsorship.
Once you click "submit," the application will be considered final and no additional information will be accepted. If you do not click "submit," the application will not be considered.
It is recommended that you keep a backup of your answers in a separate document.
A $45 fee will be charged to submit this application unless you provide a valid waiver code.
For more information please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.
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