Film Funding Opportunities: Fall 2026

Some recent funding opportunities supporting documentary and fiction filmmaking, as curated by FilmDaily.tv, are shared below.

Some of these funders make awards to individual artists, while others may require a fiscal sponsor. Emerson can serve as a fiscal sponsor many of those cases. For more details, please contact ORCS.

Feature Film Distribution Grant

A $50,000 grant supporting narrative fiction films entering distribution, featuring science, technology, or economics themes.

Value: $50,000
Deadline: 2 July, 2025 – 27 June, 2026

Sports and Trail Running

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Film Grant Fund provides intentional support and funding to amplify women, BIPOC & LGBTQ+ centered stories that celebrate running across the spectrum of cultural experiences.

$1000 – $3000

7 July – 29 November, 2025

Native American Film Funding

This public media grant funds film and television projects that amplify Native American and Alaska Native stories for public television and digital platforms.

up to $150,000

3 July – 30 December, 2025

Humanitarian Documentary Fund for US Filmmakers

The Media Projects program supports the development, production, and distribution documentary film  that engage general audiences with humanities ideas in creative and appealing ways.

up to $1,000,000

14 November, 2025 – 2 January, 2026