Grants & Awards
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Cinereach provide feedback on why my project wasn’t selected to submit a full proposal?
A: Unfortunately, due to the large volume of submissions, Cinereach does not have the time nor the resources to provide feedback for your project during the LOI stage. However, if your project was invited to submit a full proposal but did not receive a grant, the Cinereach Grants Manager will provide feedback based on the review committee’s notes.
Q: Does Cinereach fund short films?
A: Unfortunately, Cinereach is not currently accepting applications for short film projects.
Q: Does Cinereach fund student films?
A: Unfortunately, Cinereach is not currently accepting applications for student film projects.
Q: Does Cinereach fund scriptwriters?
A: Cinereach has previously funded the development of a script by an emerging or established filmmaker (ie: Laurie Collyer, Joshua Marston, Ramin Bahrani). However, we have not funded the development of a script if there is no other talent (ie: Director, Producer, actors, etc) attached to the project at the time of submission.
Q: I am having trouble with the online LOI form. Can I submit by email or mail?
A: The online form is the preferred method for submitting an LOI. If you are unable to submit online, please email us.
Q: I filled in the online LOI form and clicked the “Submit” button. The online LOI form highlights the “Primary Contact Email” field and asks me to enter a valid email address, but I know that I have entered the correct email. What should I do?
A: There might be a blank space added either before or after the email address that is causing the form to not like the data already entered. Please re-type your email address into the “Primary Contact Email” field, making sure there are no blank spaces before or after the email address.
Q: Do I need a fiscal sponsor in order to apply for a Cinereach grant?
A: You do not need a fiscal sponsor in place in order to submit a letter of inquiry. Should your project move to the next stage in the application process, we would work with you to secure a fiscal sponsor for your project. To learn more about fiscal sponsorship, please visit the Resources page on our website.
Q: Are international filmmakers eligible to apply for a Cinereach grant?
A: Internationally based prospective grantees must provide one of the following: 1) proof of 501(c)(3) status or, 2) proof of fiscal sponsorship by a certified US-based 501(c)(3) organization or, 3) an affidavit satisfying IRS requirements for tax-exempt equivalency.
In other words, in order to receive a grant from Cinereach, you will need a fiscal sponsor. To learn more about fiscal sponsorship, please visit the Resources page on our website.
However, you do not need 501(c)(3) status (ie: fiscal sponsor) in place in order to submit a letter of inquiry.
Q: Do you have a time limit for the work sample?
A: There is no time limit for your work sample.
Q: I have both a trailer and a rough-cut available, which one should I submit as a work sample?
A: Please submit both the trailer and rough-cut of your current project as work samples.
Q: I do not yet have sample footage from my current project. Can I submit a previously completed film as a work sample?
A: Yes, you can submit a previously completed short or feature-length film as a work sample.