The JFI Filmmakers in Residence Program is a year-long, competitive artist residency that provides creative, marketing, and production support for emerging and established filmmakers whose documentary projects explore and expand thoughtful consideration of Jewish history, life, culture, and identity. This page contains all information for filmmakers to submit their documentary projects to the 2024 Filmmaker Residency. Applications are accepted August 6 – October 6, 2023 via FilmFreeway.
As public health guidelines allow, residents participate in in-person convenings, coinciding with the annual San Francisco Jewish Film Festival in July–August. Residents receive passes to participate in all SFJFF screenings, panels, parties, and industry events.
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. Applicants located in the San Francisco Bay Area may also apply for in-kind editing space at the Ninth Street Independent Film Center. Office space is subject to San Francisco public health guidelines and availability.
Selections are made by 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. The year-long residency is not open to educational or promotional projects, student work, or films already in distribution.
Download the 2024 JFI Filmmakers in Residence program application questions here.
The Filmmaker Residency is year-long, running January 1 through December 31 annually. Meetings are virtual, except for an in-person convening in July during the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival.
The Early Bird submission fee (Deadline: September 15, 2023) is $30. The Regular Deadline fee is $40 (Deadline: October 6, 2023. Submission fees are collected via FilmFreeway. Completing this application makes you eligible for a 12-month long complimentary Filmmaker membership with the Jewish Film Institute. Please email membership@jfi.org to redeem your membership benefits.
JFI’s Filmmaker in Residence program supports Jewish-themed, independent feature or short-form documentary projects in web, series, or hybrid forms from emerging and established filmmakers. Projects should offer fresh and challenging perspectives, 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 inspire communities in the Bay Area and beyond to expand their understanding of Jewish life through film, media, and dialogue.
The year-long residency is not open to educational and promotional projects, student work, or films already in distribution.
Preference is given to film projects that are aligned with the Jewish Film Institute's mission to inspire communities in the Bay Area and beyond to expand their understanding of Jewish life through film, media, and dialogue.
The year-long residency is not open to educational and promotional projects, student work, or films already in distribution.
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.
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 10 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.
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.
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