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"Screen Australia’s Feature Film Production Program aims to assist the creation of a diverse range of successful Australian films that resonate with audiences. Marketplace attachments are required, but the marketplace by itself is not the only criterion for determining what to invest in." "The program is open to films of any budget range, including low-budget non-Offset projects, ie films with QAPE below the threshold of $1 million, as well as to Offset-eligible projects. Where relevant, applications for large-format projects or theatrical documentaries can be made under this program." "Low-budget feature films: For feature films which could, in the opinion of Screen Australia, reasonably be produced with a total production budget under $1.5 million, Screen Australia may exercise flexibility in the application of these guidelines, particularly where they refer to market components." "Post-production completion funding: Projects seeking post-production funding must apply using the Production Investment application form available on this page and are considered in the same way as applications for production investment." Source

"An independent film is produced outside of a major movie studio. Independent filmmakers rely on nontraditional funding sources for their projects. Angel investors, fundraisers, credit cards and grants are all common sources of financing for independent films. Online resources are the best place to start when finding film grants." "Plan your film's budget and shooting schedule, and have a summary of your film project ready for submission. You'll need to do this to effectively pursue a grant." "Search film association websites and industry conferences online for notices on upcoming funding opportunities. Film Independent is a basic search tool for locating grants. If you know how you plan to distribute your finished product, you will be more likely to find a grant that meets your needs. For example, if you are a documentary producer, you may seek a public television distribution deal that qualifies you to receive funds from organizations such as The Independent Television Service. However, filmmakers seeking to produce a commercial filmwork may opt for equipment grants from major manufacturers where they gain access to expensive equipment at no cost." "Read the requirements for each grant. Grants typically require stringent qualifications for recipients including specifications of subject matter, length and format." "Honor the deadlines. Grants may have a deadline for a letter of inquiry where they "prequalify" your film project and ask you to submit more information for funding consideration. These deadlines may ...

"Film grants available for individuals help qualified filmmakers’ projects in a variety of ways. Although the most common support is financial assistance to selected projects, some grants offer film production support through free use of camera, lighting or grip equipment and post-production resources. Some grants are specifically categorized according to the film’s length and the theme and/or genre used in the film project." "Rooftop Filmmakers’ Fund has four grants available: two for short films and two for feature-length films. Filmmakers whose films have been shown at Rooftop Films, a New York-base nonprofit, are eligible. The Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund Short Film Grant helps finance short film projects by giving recipients one dollar from every regularly priced ticket sold at Rooftop Films and every submission fee received for the Filmmakers’ Fund every grant cycle. The Rooftop Films/Chicken and Egg Short Film Grant for Women Filmmakers is open to amateur and professional filmmakers working in fiction or nonfiction films that address contemporary social issues." Source

Film Production Companies Make Profitable Small Businesses "As a startup business, film production companies have to be considered one of the best. For example, did you know that film is a nationally subsidized business in the United States? Many states offer large cash rebates that return a percentage of the money spent in the state to the production companies who film there. Michigan currently offers a 40-42% tax rebate, New Mexico offers 25%, and Georgia offers a 30% rebate. Film is an attractive industry to have in a state because it provides high paying jobs, lots of tax revenues, produces little in the way of toxic waste, and its the kind of industry that can grow and prosper very quickly in the right environment." Source

"Getting funding for a short film is a challenging endeavor, especially for amateurs who have no film reel or sample works yet to back up their credentials. In most cases, personal savings become the primary source of funding for a budding filmmaker's short film. Some even turn to getting loans and borrowing as much as possible to maintain the production budget. For those who have established track records with successful movies, there can be more opportunities. But getting funding is always a very competitive undertaking for any kind of filmmaker." "Finalize your script and make a comprehensive project proposal. Have a handy one-page abstract that serves as your guide when pitching to potential producers and grant-giving agencies. It is never easy to convince others to shell out money for a project. You must impress them with your presentation and proposal. If you can, make a spec trailer that they can view on DVD or online. A film reel or sample work are also very helpful to gain credibility. These will allow funders to gauge your filmmaking skills and will also offer an initial glimpse of your film's potential. Your project proposal should include a production budget breakdown and preferably a storyboard as well. Have an initial list of your production team (cast and crew) and provide brief professional backgrounds for each person." "Apply for film grants. Get information about calls ...

Action Steps "The best contacts and resources to help you get it done."  Find grants for documentaries through your state humanities department "There are are many national government programs, but they are commonly known and often overflowed with applicants. Apply with the state for less competition. 
I recommend:  Visit your state’s website for application deadlines and requirements, or see them listed at the International Documentary Association’s website. Also check out the grants page at the Independent Feature Project's website."  Apply for major independent documentary film grants "Many organizations fund profects. Apply for the grants that may be in line with your subject matter. 

I recommend:  Try the Paul Robeson Fund for Independent Media and the Playboy Foundation."  Write very good documentary grants proposals "It is very important that you write in a very professional way that represents your filmmaking abilities and the passion for your documentary when applying for film grants. 

I recommend:  Have a look at the Foundation Center’s reference guide for proposal writing. Also visit the National Science Foundation's Guide to Proposal Writing." Source

// " In the last decade, the Roy W. Dean Grants have grown into one the largest film grant competitions in the world. This year alone, we expect to have close to $100,000 in donations for our two Los Angeles grants, and $50,000 for our New York Grant. Not bad for a covert underground operation started by a gentle 76 year-old man who just wanted to help give passionate filmmakers an opportunity to be heard!" "Over the last 17 years the grant has funded some wonderful films, The Flute Player, Miss Navaho, Kusama: The polka Dot Princess, BAM 6.6 and many more that are listed under grants as prior winners. We are very proud of our filmmakers and our goal is to continue to fund films and support documentary filmmakers." "Fiscal Sponsorship is important for the financing of your film. This is a way for artists to apply for funding through a Company that has a 501 (c ) (3) nonprofit status. Getting the right fiscal sponsor can help you manage your project efficiently and help you raise more money for your film." "The Roy W. Dean grant has been working with filmmakers since it's inception in 1992. During that time we have given grants for over $2,000,000.00 in goods and services. Each year we review hundreds of applications and we know what judges look for in grants. We can help you with ...

"I read thousands of proposals a year for my Roy W. Dean film grants. I know what wins grants and what turns judges off quickly. Getting it right can be a piece of cake." "Documentary film funding starts with a well-written, organized proposal. It outlines your film’s story, background, and need. It also outlines the approach, structure and style in four to eight pages of dynamite passion." "Getting started may seem like the hard part, when really, it is the best part. Just write page after page of your vision for the film. Don’t worry if you only need a 6 page proposal and you now have 25 pages, just keep putting down what you see happening in your film. I realize that you are not sure what your subjects may say in the interviews, but if you did your research thoroughly, you know the subject matter. So, tell it to us as a compelling story and any people you have secured for the film, tell us their story." "Your proposal needs to be a visual description of your film. It’s there somewhere in those 25 pages of written material so read them carefully and find the best visual sections to paste into your proposal. Now, read it over and create your first three dynamite paragraphs that tell us a compelling story. Put time into this because it is our introduction to your film. You may have been working on it for ...

"There is a lot of opportunity in Canada to get film funding and grants for your feature films, documentaries and short films." "There is no 1 right way to apply for funding in Canada. While Ontario and British Columbia are the two biggest entertainment centers, there are opportunities in all of the Provinces for funding that help filmmakers get their scripts developed, the film (or television series) shot, and even money for post production and marketing. Below is a list of Canadian funding and grant organizations that help fund and support new and emerging as well as seasoned filmmakers get their films funded and made." "Telefilm has a feature film fund, a television fund as well as a new media fund. They also have other funds, but these are the three most common. You can visit their website to download the guidelines for development, production and marketing." "Telefilm is great because they are also very supportive of emerging artists." Source

"Students, Movies are very expensive to make. However, people still want to make films. And in order to make a movie, you need money. Getting money is hard, and when you are a student, you usually do not have much money to start with. Typically, student films do not cost as much as bigger movies; this mostly comes from the fact that they use lower quality material.  There are different ways to finance a student film: Sponsors "This is a great way to either get more money or free equipment or service. You would be surprised at how easy it is to get people to give you money or give you services for free. The best way for you to get those is if your student film touches some issues that people find important (ex: AIDS, WWII, etc.) Then try to find an organization or association that supports this issue. Arrange a meeting with them. Be very professional, they have no reason to do you a favor, but you have to show them why they should. Go there prepared, have a kit with you with pictures and information about your student film (it is best if you already have a location where you will be shooting your film, some of the main crew, equipment needed, and anything relevant to the making of your student film." Loan "As a very last resort you could always take out a loan. But I wouldn’t recommend ...

"Film production companies said the money is transforming the way some movies are being made and sold, with hedge-fund managers becoming piggy banks for the industry. Since 2005, funds and private-equity investors have committed at least $4.5 billion to films, betting that the box-office returns can beat other investments." "There is an influx of capital into the market, and that's driven mostly by hedge funds,'' said Daniel Miller, a partner at Screen Capital International, a Los Angeles-based finance company for TV and filmmakers. ``A number of U.S. and European hedge funds have gotten interested in film." Source

"Another factor tends to be the marketable elements in each film's package, such as having a big-name director or star attached. But the biggest challenge facing the indie producer who aims to attract professional moneymen remains ensuring that movies will make it to the theater in the first place." "Lots of movies get made and get no distribution at all, and most hedge funds take the approach that they want to invest in a portfolio of movies," says Stephen Scharf, a partner at the entertainment law firm O'Melveny & Myers. "They want to know that they've got up to bat enough to have the chance to hit a home run.""It's a matter of averages, according to Dorothy Palmer of Dorothy Palmer Talent Agency, whose Web site includes a pop-up advertisement that serves as a call to investors. "All you need is just one hit, and (for) the other three or four that didn't quite make it,  you get a tax write-off," she says.Source

"Abu Dhabi Media Company is eyeing investment opportunities in film-making as hedge funds abandon Hollywood and studios scramble to raise new financing, the company's chief executive said." "The state-owned company plans to grow through joint ventures and acquisitions as it seeks to become a global player." "The timing is good. The hedge funds' money flooding Hollywood led to a bubble . Money is not flowing," Edward Borgerding told Reuters in an interview on Monday." Source

Tax-Shelter Deals "A number of counties have introduced legislation that has the effect of generating  enhanced tax deductions for producers or owners of films." "Schemes are created which effectively sell the enhanced tax deductions to wealthy individuals with large tax liabilities. The individuals pay the producer a fee in order to obtain the tax deductions. The individual will often become the legal owner of the film or certain rights relating to the film, but the producer will in substance continue as the real owner of the economic rights to exploit the film. For example, German tax-law used to allow investors to take an instant tax deduction even on non-German productions and even if the film has not yet gone into production.  The film producers can sell the  copyright to one of these tax shelters for the cost of the film's budget, then have them lease it back for a price around 90 % of the original cost." Equity Deals "Equity Deals come in many sizes and shapes.  A common one is a production-financing-   distribution (PFD) deal, which is with a major studio, usually. Independent Distributor Financing is similar to a PFD deal, except in this case the distributor is not affiliated with a major studio." Source

"We are raising more money not less in the current environment," said David Molner,    chairman of Aramid Capital Partners, which puts together many single-film financing   packages, including one for Oliver Stone's upcoming "W" film." "To be sure, Hollywood has taken a hit from the credit crunch. Months ago, hedge funds    that had poured $15 billion into film deals over the last three years started to retreat." "Those funds, partnered with big banks, had backed slates of movies from studios like Sony Corp's Sony Pictures, Viacom Inc's Paramount and Time Warner Inc's Warner Bros., shouldering some of the risks usually absorbed by studios in return for a share of box office sales." "We've seen hedge funds pull back to some extent, as a number of deals done in the last   two years haven't met expectations," said Burke. Source

"If film companies need the actual cash to make the film, they need only take the concept of the Exchange one step further (as is my hope and expectation) and raise cash directly  from investors in exchange for a return that is tied to a percentage of the box office results of their films, as a proxy for all other revenue streams. As with the Exchange, there would be a flood of capital available if investors could know the value of their investment by opening the paper, rather than waiting for months only to receive arcane accounting statements that they don’t understand." "Right now, we are in a serious trough, with the last wave of financing from New York equity and hedge funds long gone. We need to have a sustainable approach to raising vast amounts of financing, and the Exchange will do just that." Source

New Means of Financing "Old media companies like Viacom might be less relevant to stars like Cruise. They are no longer the only vehicle for movie production. Hedge fund–backed production companies can hire sets by the day, arrange their own publicity and distribution, and finance all of their other needs by attracting the moneymen directly." "The film industry is one of the toughest and most competitive industries in the world. It and many other industries that are provided services by CPAs and other professionals are   finding new funding sources in order to remain competitive. Hedge funds might be the rising power in the financial and corporate worlds. They are of critical importance to the practice of many members in public practice and in industry." Source

"Investors seeking riches in Hollywood are finding out why the movie capital is called Tinsel Town - all that glitters is not gold." "After pouring $15 billion into recent film deals, some investors have taken losses and many are demanding that film studios change how they structure the projects. Roiling credit markets have scared many away from untraditional investments, while some investors say studios treated them shabbily." "In recent years, hedge funds flush with cash were drawn to Hollywood deals amid projected double-digit returns. But both Hollywood and banking executives say several of    the deals over the past few years wound up costing investors hundreds of millions of dollars in losses." "The funds, partnered with big investment banks, often backed studios in transactions known as movie slate financing deals, taking on some risks formerly absorbed by studios in return for a share of profits from films in the slate." Source

"From 2005 to 2008, hedge funds partnered with all the major banks from Merrill Lynch to Lehman Brothers to pump an estimated $15 billion (10.63 billion pounds) into films, taking on risks formerly absorbed by studios like Sony (6758.T) Pictures and News Corp’s (NWSA.O) 20th Century Fox in return for a share of profits." "Independent film and television studio Lions Gate Entertainment (LGF.N) has attracted interest from activist investor Carl Icahn, who raised his stake in the company to 14.28  percent even after it reported disappointing earnings and underperforming films." Source

"At a time when new forms of financing and significant structural and technological changes are taking place in the UK film industry, the need for such a market is particularly evident. I'm especially pleased that both top flight and new producers from throughout the UK are set to benefit from this unique international event. Running in association with The Times BFI London Film Festival provides a perfectly complimentary framework to the Market and adds a further incentive for participants to attend." "Andrew Eaton, Producer at Revolution Films and Vice Chair of the UK Film Council said: "There's never been a better moment to secure the financial future of the British film industry and this market should become one of the pillars of that process." Source