Emerging Filmmakers Program
Igniting a patron/artist relationship to empower female-identifying filmmakers
The Emerging Filmmakers Program supports early-career female filmmakers by providing funding, mentorship, paid apprenticeships, and bespoke marketing and distribution strategy for original film projects. Our funding model allows us to serve as patrons for our filmmakers, and prioritizes equity and inclusion. It also comes without a list of requirements or restrictions on genre, cast, story or format… thus allowing for creative freedom of expression.
The barriers for women to move from film school to directing their first feature has been a gruelling feat in the existing system. The lack of access to financiers willing to give women a bigger budget to support their second project is even more staggering. Our goal is to back women at this critical juncture with the financing to make these career-starting films.
Our first cycle will focus on female identifying filmmakers local to Washington State with each selected team consisting of a director, writer and producer.
Applications were open from Feb 2 – Feb 28, 2025 and are now CLOSED
PROGRAM PARTNERS
If you have any questions, please email us at info@emergencefilms.us
Application Requirements
All applicants must identify as female
We accept applicants who are 18 years or older
We require applications to submit in teams — teams must consist of a minimum of 2 people (writer/producer and director or writer/director and producer — we do not accept the combination of a director/producer and writer) and maximum of 3 people (writer, director, producer).
Applicants may have previous credits as writer, director, or producer on a short film IF that short film was “no budget,” self financed, or produced as part of a student project. Applicants can be credited on a maximum of 2 short films in the past that meet this criteria (in the role of writer, director or producer).
Applicants may not be credited on a completed feature film in the role of writer, director or producer (other crew roles or acting roles are acceptable).
Applicants must come to this process with creative ideas and concepts for a short film, and a micro budget feature that can be shot for less than $200K. Ideas do not need to be fully formed, but at least in the conceptual phase. Applicants may present more than one idea for each.
We are looking for applicants with a shared passion for stories that create connection, empathy, explore the human experience, create new ways of viewing our world that create optimism and hope, showcase perspectives we haven’t seen, showcase healing journeys, humanize the “other,” break down barriers, and ultimately use storytelling as a tool for positive change in the world in some form. This doesn’t mean we are looking for “positive stories” – but rather stories that ultimately make a positive impact. We are looking for applicants who are forward thinking and working to imagine a future that is more inclusive, supportive and regenerative than the one we currently inhabit.
Application Schedule
February 2nd
Applications open
February 28th
Applications close
March 17th
Short list of (10) semi-finalists are selected and contacted
for Round 2 of the application for the interview phase
March 18th-28th
Round 2 interviews scheduled
March 31st
Final selections announced
Program Schedule
(subject to flexibility of specific schedule)
Mid or end of May
Kick off weekend with entire cohort on Vashon Island
June 30th
Short film script draft 1 due
July 15th
Short film script complete
July 31st
Short film fundraising complete
August 15th
Short film production plan finalized
September 30th
Short film production complete
September - November
(exact dates TBC)
2-week paid apprenticeship on a professional film set
November 30th
Short film completed and delivered
December
(date TBC)
Celebratory screening event for whole cohort and industry guests