The JFI Completion Grants Program provides finishing funds to emerging and established filmmakers for original stories that promote thoughtful consideration of Jewish history, life, culture, and identity. Projects may be feature narratives, documentaries, shorts, episodic programs, or web series. Priorities are given to projects that offer fresh, challenging perspectives; engage audiences across cultural lines; and expand the understanding of Jewish experience. Awards of $5,000 to $50,000 are considered, depending on project need. For additional information please send an email to grants@jfi.org.
2020 marks the inaugural year for the Jewish Film Institute's Completion Grant program. JFI awarded 6 grants ranging from $6,000 - $25,000. Jurors for this year’s Completion Grant Program include programmer, independent producer and strategist Claire Aguilar, and award-winning filmmakers Alan Berliner (NOBODY’S BUSINESS, WIDE AWAKE), Independent Spirit Award nominee Shawn Snyder (TO DUST), documentary filmmaker and AMPAS member Ferne Pearlstein (THE LAST LAUGH) and Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship recipient and Emmy nominee editor/filmmaker Pola Rapaport.
Thanks for your interest in Completion Grants for your Jewish Content Film Projects!
JFI pre-screeners will review all applications, preview sample works, and select semifinalists to be recommended to an independent panel. An independent panel of media professionals including producers, directors, programmers, academics or other experts in the field will convene to collectively select the grant recipients. The names of the panelists will remain confidential until after the awards are announced at the 40th San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. Grant amounts will be determined based on project need and will generally range from $5,000 to $50,000.
JFI does not provide critiques, screening notes, or individual reviews of any films not chosen for completion grants.
Grantees will be asked to submit an invoice and sign a Receipt of Funds Letter of Agreement that will require:
JFI Completion Grants Program Application is a 6-part form which will REQUIRE the Producer's Warranty (download here and attach to application). Awards will be announced at the 2020 San Francisco Jewish Film Festival.
NOTE REGARDING SFJFF FESTIVAL SUBMISSION: This grant application is NOT AN ENTRY FORM for the SFJFF Film Festival. If you would like to submit your project to the upcoming festival you must download an official Festival Entry Form or submit your film on filmfreeway.com