2026 Filmmaker Residency Application Guidelines

Applications for the 2026 JFI Filmmakers in Residence program are open September 5 through October 20, 2025

The JFI Filmmakers in Residence Program is a year-long, primarily virtual, artist residency that provides creative, marketing, and practical support for emerging and established filmmakers whose feature documentary projects thoughtfully consider Jewish history, life, culture, and identity.

Download the 2026 Application here (must be completed on FilmFreeway).

2026 Residency Application Deadlines

Key Dates:

  • Applications Open: September 5, 2025
  • Early Bird Deadline: September 29, 2025 (25% discount)
  • Final Deadline: October 20, 2025
  • Notification Deadline: December 19, 2025
  • 2026 Residency: January 15–December 31, 2026 

Informational Office Hours (via Zoom, registration required). All sessions take place at 11am–12pm PT / 2–3pm ET.

Application Guidelines

  • Independent feature-length documentary projects in web, series, one-off, or hybrid form are eligible.
  • Projects can be in any stage from development through post-production provided there is sample footage to share when applying. Filmmakers must be ready and willing to workshop their project during the program. 
  • Filmmakers must have copyright and creative control of their projects.
  • Filmmakers must be able to commit  up to 10 hours a month for cohort meetings and workshops.
  • Attendance is required at the Residents' convening at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival at the end of  July.
  • Residents may not be a JFI employee or member of the JFI Board and must be at least 18 years old.
  • Residents must agree to offer JFI a first right of refusal for a San Francisco Bay Area premiere at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival and/or other JFI exhibition program.  
  • Residents must agree to follow the JFI crediting guidelines for support  in onscreen, web, and printed materials.

Please note: The year-long residency is not open to educational or promotional projects, student work, or films ready for, or in distribution. Filmmakers from anywhere in the world may apply but must be able to make regular virtual meetings occurring on Pacific Time in the United States.

Evaluation Criteria:

Final selections are made by the Jewish Film Institute's staff based on artistic merit, the strength of the filmmaking team, the status of the project, the likelihood that it will be completed, and its alignment with JFI's mission, vision, and values. Download the 2026 JFI Filmmakers in Residence application questions here. Finalists will be asked for additional information.

Filmmaker Residency: FAQ

The Filmmaker Residency runs from January 15 through December 31, 2026. Meetings are remote via Zoom, except for a 5 day in-person convening during the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, July 2026.

The Early Bird submission fee (Deadline: September 27, 2024) is $30. The Regular Deadline fee is $40 . Submission fees are collected via FilmFreeway. If application fees cause an undue burden, or an alternative submission method is needed, please contact us at jfifilmmakers@jfi.org

JFI members receive a fee waiver. Email us at jfifilmmakers@jfi.org.

JFI’s Filmmaker in Residence program supports Jewish-themed, independent documentary feature-length projects in web, series, one-off or hybrid forms. Competitive projects will offer fresh and challenging perspectives and/or approaches, engage audiences across cultural lines, and reflect the full breadth and diversity of Jewish experience.

Preference is given to film projects that are aligned with the Jewish Film Institute's mission to expand and evolve the Jewish story. Read more about JFI’s mission, vision, and values here.

The year-long residency is not open to educational and promotional projects, student work, or films ready for or in distribution.

Projects that are substantially different from their original application are welcome to re-apply.

Final determinations are made by the Jewish Film Institute's staff based on artistic merit, the strength of the filmmaking team, the status of the project, the likelihood that it will be completed, and its alignment with JFI's mission, vision, and values. A committee of industry professionals works with JFI staff to select finalists.

Residents are expected to attend monthly cohort meetings, bi-monthly workshops and presentations, and an in-person convening in San Francisco in July. Residents should expect to spend up to ten hours a month preparing for and participating in the program.

Yes. JFI’s Residency is primarily virtual, except for the annual convening at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. Filmmakers worldwide are eligible, provided your location allows you to attend virtual meetings in Pacific Time.

JFI welcomes a diversity of filmmakers of all cultural and religious backgrounds to submit their projects for consideration. Any filmmaker whose project is exploring Jewish content is invited to apply. 

Virtual meetings and workshops are typically held on Thursday mornings from 9am–12pm Pacific Time. 

Download the application questions here. It is recommended to answer the questions in advance given the character count, and to cut and paste into the Custom Form on Film Freeway. Once you start on the Custom Form you cannot save and return to finish. The application must be completed in one sitting. The Film Freeway project page can be saved while it is in process.

Register for one of three online info sessions (links found above on this page). You will have time to ask specific questions about your proposal. Unfortunately JFI staff is not available to offer individual assistance.

Resources and Opportunities To Help You Tell Your Story.

The JFI Filmmaker Services newsletter is tailored to filmmakers working with Jewish themes. Join our community today.

Subscribe