Short Film Application Instructions

How to Apply | FAQs | Grant-writing Advice | Apply

The Rooftop Films Filmmakers Fund Short Film Grants

Only filmmakers who have screened a movie at Rooftop Films Summer Series are eligible to apply for our grants.

Rooftop Films sets aside $1 from every ticket every submission fee received and puts towards our alumni filmmakers in the form of grants for their future film productions. Only filmmakers who have screened a movie at Rooftop Films’ festival are eligible for grants. We also work with additional foundations and services to help provide additional support including from The Adrienne Shelly Foundation, DCTV, elkind Lighting & Camera, Kodak, and Untouchable. We have ten grants for artists making short films (under 59 minutes).

If you would like to apply for a Feature Film grant, you are on the wrong page! Click here for information on the Feature Film Grants.

Let us know you’re interested

If you are an eligible filmmaker and plan on applying, please let us know as soon as possible by filling out this quick and simple form (response time: under one minute). This way we can gauge how many applicants to expect and will know to look for your application, lest it get lost in some way. Read more about how to apply.

About the Grants

THE ROOFTOP FILMMAKERS FUND SHORT FILM GRANTS

For the Rooftop Filmmakers’ Fund Short Film Grant, we will award grants ranging from $500-3,000 to alumni filmmakers. On average, we grant 3-6 projects annually.

THE ADRIENNE SHELLY FOUNDATION SHORT FILM GRANT FOR WOMEN

The Adrienne Shelly Foundation will award one $3,000 grant to a female-identifying director.
The Adrienne Shelly Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated in loving memory to the uniquely gifted actor and filmmaker Adrienne Shelly, whose highly accomplished life was tragically cut short November 1, 2006. ASF supports the artistic achievements of female actors, writers and directors through a series of scholarships and grants, providing recipients with financial support and consultative access to the Foundation’s advisory board of actors, directors, producers, composers, law, publicity, academic and trade professionals. Reflecting Adrienne’s spirit, generosity, courage and whimsy, its goal is to recognize the passion and commitment of women artists in creating their work, and provide them with support and guidance during periods of transition and struggle.

The elkind Lighting & Camera Grant

elkind Lighting and Camera will provide lighting equipment for a small-crew, fiction or hybrid or documentary short or documentary feature, valued at $5,000. Equipment is available from the upstate location only and is ideal for small crew productions. It is not suited to most fiction productions.
elkind Lighting and Camera takes pride in putting together the lightest, tightest, and brightest packages around for use locally and worldwide. We also do red camera packages with Leica and Zeiss primes and Canon Zooms.

DCTV Grant

DCTV will provide $5,000 credits to two separate filmmakers towards DCTV programs and services including DCP generation and theater rentals.
Founded in 1972, DCTV has grown into one of the leading documentary production and film education centers in the country. A community of and for documentary filmmakers, DCTV is a unique space where screenings, discussions, youth media, continuing education programs, and filmmaking resources exist side by side with award-winning productions.

Untouchable Short Film Scoring Grant

Untouchable will provide film scoring services for a documentary or narrative short film, to be scored by founder and co-owner Eliot Leigh.
Untouchable provides a full range of audio post-production services for film and advertising, specializing in music composition, voiceover, sound design, and audio mixing.s a full range of audio post-production services for film and advertising, specializing in music composition, voiceover, sound design, and audio mixing.

The Kayla Thomas Filmmaker Grant

The Kayla Thomas Filmmaker Grant is awarded to one or more Rooftop Films alumni filmmakers to help them to complete a short film that communicates the power of hope, collaboration and togetherness to make positive change. This grant is in commemoration of our dear friend and teammate Kayla Thomas. Each year when we award this grant we will be reminded of her and of how she made our lives more beautiful and helped us to create special moments. She made our burdens lighter and this grant is one small way in which we can emulate her and do the same for others. As we were creating this grant we knew we wanted to help new films get made, and particularly to support films that we thought would make Kayla happy.

The Kodak Film Stock Grant

The Kodak Film Stock Grant will provide $3,000 worth of film stock to any short film.
Kodak is a global technology company providing industry-leading products and services for commercial print, packaging, publishing, manufacturing and entertainment.

Kate Geller LLC Casting Grant

Kate Geller LLC will provide 1-4 principal cast members for three consecutive months during the pre-production phase. This will include wish lists and reach out services. This will not include in-person auditions.
Kate Geller is a respected New York based Casting Director whose credits include Shiva Baby, Nine Days, and The Incredible Jessica James.

How to Apply:

If you plan on applying, please fill out this quick and simple form, so we know how many applications we might be expecting and we can keep an eye out for your application.
Complete the online Short Film Grant Application Form. The same form is used for each of the short film grants.
If you are applying with more than one film, fill out a separate application for each film.
You are also welcome and encouraged to send footage, rough cuts, fine cuts, etc. in any format. Please include a link and password in your application form.
You cannot edit the application form once you submit. We strongly recommend you fill out a copy of your application in a separate document and save that for reference.
Filmmakers who identify as women will be automatically eligible for all grants. Filmmakers who identify as male are not eligible for the Adrienne Shelly Foundation Grant.
Rooftop Films has opted into the Documentary Core Application. Fiction and non-fiction films of any genre or category can apply using these application form pages, but to make the application process as convenient as possible for all filmmakers, we have updated our application questions to comply with the Documentary Core Application guidelines. Learn more.

Deadlines:

Applications must be received by 11:59 pm EST on Friday, September 25, 2023
Applicants notified: February 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply?
Only filmmakers who directed or co-directed a film that has already screened at a Rooftop Films event are eligible to apply. Alumni filmmakers can only apply for a grant if they are director or co-director on the film for which they are applying.

I was the producer or writer on a film that screened at Rooftop. Am I eligible to apply?
No. Only directors who had their work screened are eligible to apply as directors. We appreciate that film is a collaborative medium, and respect the contributions of all the collaborators but with over 3,000 directors who have now screened at Rooftop Films we must limit the grant eligibility to that pool. In this way, we can more clearly judge the director’s vision for the new film.

I am Rooftop alumni director and I am the producer but not the director for an upcoming film. Am I eligible to apply?
No. Alumni filmmakers can only apply for films that they are directing or co-directing.

I do not know when my upcoming film will be completed. Can I still apply?
Yes. But we are more likely to award grants to films that have a relatively clear timeline for production.

Can I apply with more than one project?
Yes. Keep in mind, the panel wants to know that with any film we are considering supporting that the filmmaker is completely committed to making the film. . If you apply with more than one project, you must fill out separate applications for each film.

Can I apply again with the same film if I didn’t receive funding the previous year?

Yes. Many of the films we have funded were films that had applied in multiple years.

Can I apply again with a film that has received funding from Rooftop in the past?

If you did receive a grant in the past with a project you are applying with this year, we try to support as many diverse projects as possible and this will be taken into account when we evaluate applications.

What are my obligations to Rooftop Films if I am awarded a grant?

The answer varies a bit depending on which grant you receive, but for most grants the minimum requirements are:

You must agree to give Rooftop Films the option of screening your film in a public screening within 12 months of your world premiere and prior to a theatrical release of the film, unless otherwise mutually agreed.
You must include thanks and acknowledgment to Rooftop Films and any associated sponsors in the credits of your film and on your film website.
The filmmaker must produce the film as outlined.

When is the next set of deadlines?
In general, the application is open in the fall of each year, with a deadline in early autumn and grants awarded in December. Check back closer to those dates for specific details from year to year. Also, if you are an alumni filmmaker, make sure you are on our filmmakers email list for updates.

Do I have to submit a video sample or still images? If so, what is the best material to submit?

It is not required to submit a video sample but if you have a video sample or still images, we recommend you submit them. We know there is often a fear of showing incomplete work but usually something concrete and visual is more enticing than a text description. We are accustomed to looking at works-in-progress. In your footage description, elaborate on what is going to change, i.e. not sound mixed or color corrected, etc.

The following are some examples of work samples we’ve received in the past but feel free to be creative in how you communicate your current progress and artistic vision:

a trailer (2 minutes), to show the emotional and visual spark of the film
representative scene (5 minutes), to show what the film is like
a rough cut, to show the entirety of the story and scope of the film

If you do not have any or all of these elements, that’s ok! Many filmmakers have received grants before they shoot or edit. If you don’t, we recommend submitting a look book, a series of stills or sketches, or something else that visually represents your film.

What kind of films does Rooftop Films fund?

We are open to any genre or type of film. In choosing our grantees, we are biased toward the following:

Projects who do not have access to other resources.
Films that are daring, unique, intelligent, soulful, honest, and brilliant.
Films of any and all genres which operate outside mainstream film traditions and aesthetics.
Films with women and people of color in primary production roles.
Films that are socially responsible. Whether documentaries or fiction, drama or comedy, experimental or animation, we admire films that are thoughtful, well-researched, well-reasoned and that actively seek to change our world for the better.
We are most likely to fund a project that will help the project move to the next stage of production.

These are not requirements, just qualities we value. We fund many films that do not fall into those categories, films with big budgets and small, and films by all types of people. If it’s a moving picture by our alumni and it’s going to be great, we want to support it!

Grant-writing Questions and Advice:

What is the best way to answer the question “How will you make use of our grants”?

Be specific and know exactly what each grant provides. In each case, tell us why and how the grant will improve your film.

For the short film cash grants, this is very straightforward and the funds are unrestricted so long as they pertain to the production or post-production of the film. We will not fund marketing or distribution but we can pay you back for sunk costs on a nearly complete movie.
For the DCTV Grant, DCTV has a wide array of ways to help the independent filmmaker. Visit www.dctvny.org and see if you can make use of their classes and workshops.
The Untouchable Short Film Scoring Grant will provide a package of film scoring services equivalent in value to the amount of $15,000.00 for a documentary or narrative short film. It will be scored by founder and co-owner Eliot Leigh. Filmmakers must make a request for services at least six weeks in advance of their session. Untouchable will work with the selected filmmaker to fill their needs within the range of the equivalent cost of the package. The package will be confirmed no less than four weeks in advance.
Rooftop Films elkind Lighting & Camera Grant will provide lighting equipment for a small-crew, fiction or hybrid or documentary short or documentary feature. Equipment is available from the upstate location only and is ideal for small crew productions. It is not suited to most fiction productions. The package will be based on a list of possible kits: BBS Flyer Kit, Litegear Ribbon Light Kit, Westcott Flex 4 Light Kit, Litemat 2L S2 Kit, Joker 800 Kit, Joker 400 Kit, Joker 200 Kit, Arri 4 Light Kit, or the Set Kit/Grip/Miscellaneous Kit.
Kodak Film Stock Grant will provide up to $3,000 worth of film stock. The production must be shot on film in order to receive this grant.
The Kate Geller LLC Casting Grant will provide casting for 1-4 principal roles for the feature film. The term for the casting period will be three consecutive months agreed upon between the Grantee and the Casting Director. After that time, the Casting Director has the right to first refusal to continue on with the casting process. This package includes general casting advice, wish list, and research. This does not include in-person auditions. In-person auditions can be tacked on for an additional fee. The production must be SAG-AFTRA compliant.

What’s the best way to answer the question, “Tell us about the film you are making – what is the plot, what will we see on screen?”

400-800 words for this section is a good length to aim for. Remember to be as descriptive as possible. We want to know every plot point and character description in order to get as complete a picture in our minds as possible.

We do not want teasers, cliffhangers, mysteries, open-ended questions, etc. We want to know what happens. The sort of synopsis which takes us right up to the point where the story makes its decisive turns is great for press releases but not right when you’re seeking funding.

What’s the best way to answer the question, “Tell us about the film you are making — what is your artistic vision, what is the significance of the film?”
This question is pretty open-ended but here you can tell us about what drew you to the subject matter, what passion you have for it, and why you think other people will care. You can also tell us about the tone and the style of the film. If you would like to reference other films, your own or those of others, that can be helpful. The grant panel will have seen your other work, so saying whether it will be similar or dissimilar to what you’ve previously done can be a useful comparison.

What is the best way to answer the questions about our production and post-production plan, schedule and needs?

Tell us your timeline, as specific as possible. Tell us about your collaborators, briefly. (We don’t need bios, just that an editor is on board, or a DP, or whatever is crucial). Most importantly, relate your answer to the grants for which you are applying. If you are seeking a cash grant, what will the cash be spent on? If you are seeking an equipment or service grant, how will the grant serve your project specifically?

I am making a short film using an improvisational technique, so I can’t provide the story yet or I am making a non-fiction film using an observational technique, so I can’t provide the story yet. How can I best tell you the film I am making?

If making fiction based on improv, tell us the core story you have in mind, the feeling you’re trying to discover, the idea you’re exploring, or the tone you’re setting. Tell us what you are telling the actors to start them in the process and what do you do to take them from scene to scene? How will you build this improvisation? What will you shoot? Where will you be? What problems do you hope to tackle?

Similarly, if making non-fiction, tell us what drew you to this subject. What emotions, ideas, or stories? How do you hope to capture it? Through purely observational footage? With or without language? With voice over? With titles? Will it be structured by a plot, or through a series of characters, or by different themes within the subject matter (ex. a section on health care law, then a section on the pharmaceutical industry), or by some overarching structure (ex. “A day in the life of…”). You may not know exactly, yet, but how are you planning your shoots or approaching your editing process?

Need More Advice?

All filmmakers are encouraged to email filmfund@rooftopfilms.com or call 718-417-7362. When asking for advice, please focus on specific questions. We can only really advise how to make your application more clear and offer personal non-binding advice on the filmmaking. Simple questions are welcome any time!

Selection Process:

The grants will be decided by a panel made up of outside reviewers, Rooftop Films staff,and invited panelists, including staff from granting partner organizations. There will likely be follow-up questions and a second round of questions for advancing applications.

Payments and Reporting:

If you are awarded a grant, you will be expected to keep Rooftop Films staff updated on the status of the project until the film’s premiere. Grantees will need to sign a grant contract before receiving support. The key provisions are:

The filmmaker must produce the film as outlined, to the best of their ability.
The filmmaker must produce the film within 18 months of the grant award.
Funds and services will not be allocated immediately, but for specific services as needed.
The filmmaker must allow Rooftop Films the right to screen the film within 12 months of the official world premiere, before theatrical or TV release and preferably before any New York screenings.
Rooftop Films has opted into the Documentary Core Application. Fiction and non-fiction films of any genre or category can apply using these application form pages, but to make the application process as convenient as possible for all filmmakers, we have updated our application questions to comply with the Documentary Core Application guidelines. Learn more.

Rooftop Films has opted into the Documentary Core Application. Fiction and non-fiction films of any genre or category can apply using these application form pages, but to make the application process as convenient as possible for all filmmakers, we have updated our application questions to comply with the Documentary Core Application guidelines. Learn more.

Good luck! We’re excited to hear about your films, and to help them get made and get screened on the roof.