Deadline: 30-Oct-2025
The JustFilms Documentary Grant Program provide support to artist-driven, feature-length documentary films that creatively intersect with the social justice issues that are central to the Ford Foundation’s mission.
JustFilms grants provide support for different stages of film development, production, and post-production, with grant amounts typically ranging from $25,000 to $100,000. Grantees may also be eligible for continued support based on project progress and alignment with program priorities.
To be considered for funding, the project must be a documentary feature film with a running time of at least 50 minutes in which the filmmaker or filmmakers have creative control. Applications are welcome for direct content development, production, or post-production. Non-U.S. organizations are also eligible to apply, provided they submit documentation regarding their legal status and compliance with local regulations.
The open call does not support student films, narrative films, short films, commissioned films where the filmmaker is not the rights holder to the project, episodic series, new media such as AR or VR, podcasts, films that have already premiered or broadcast, or impact or outreach campaigns.
All projects will be evaluated based on how well they align with the JustFilms strategy, address themes of gender, race, and disability justice, and offer thoughtful analysis of power dynamics. Reviewers will also consider the project’s ability to represent diverse perspectives through an intersectional lens, its creativity and originality in storytelling, and the filmmakers’ capacity to independently and effectively bring the project to completion.
Inquiries for film production grants are accepted during a designated four-week open call period. Projects selected to advance will be notified approximately four months after the close of the open call and invited to submit a full grant application. Grant disbursements are estimated to occur about six to eight months after the close of the open call. The program does not offer individual feedback, meetings, or status updates on submissions.
The deadline for applications is 30 October 2025.
For more information, visit Ford Foundation.