JFI Completion Grants Program

The JFI Completion Grants Program provides finishing funds to emerging and established filmmakers for original stories that promote thoughtful consideration of Jewish history, life, culture, and identity.  Projects may be feature narratives, documentaries, shorts, episodic programs, or web series. Priorities are given to projects that offer fresh, challenging perspectives; engage audiences across cultural lines; and expand the understanding of Jewish experience. Awards of $5,000 to $50,000 are considered, depending on project need. For additional information please send an email to grants@jfi.org.

2020 marks the inaugural year for the Jewish Film Institute's Completion Grant program. JFI awarded 6 grants ranging from $6,000 - $25,000. Jurors for this year’s Completion Grant Program include programmer, independent producer and strategist Claire Aguilar, and award-winning filmmakers Alan Berliner (NOBODY’S BUSINESS, WIDE AWAKE), Independent Spirit Award nominee Shawn Snyder (TO DUST),  documentary filmmaker and AMPAS member Ferne Pearlstein (THE LAST LAUGH) and Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship recipient and Emmy nominee editor/filmmaker Pola Rapaport.

Completion Grants & Eligibility Guidelines 

• Grants are given ONLY for completion; therefore, projects must be in the post-production phase with at least a rough cut. No rough assembly. Projects in development, script-development, pre-production or production will NOT be considered. 
• Grants are given to individuals with creative and financial control of the project. Applicant must hold artistic, budgetary and editorial control and must own the copyright of the proposed project.
• In case of collaboration, a sole project director must be designated as the applicant.
• Applicant must be a U.S citizen or permanent resident and 18 years of age. International productions must have a U.S. Producer.
• The applicant is required to be a filmmaker/member of the Jewish Film Institute or pay an entry fee of $35. 

Evaluation Criteria:

• The project, as presented, meets the grant goals and eligibility requirements.
• The project makes a unique contribution to the body of films on Jewish history, life, culture and/or identity.
• The project reflects excellence and originality in storytelling and visual style.
• The project has contemporary relevance.
• The project takes an innovative approach to the subject matter.
• The director has a strong vision, clear story and structure. 
• The applicant and production team have the experience to complete the project.
• The proposal identifies an audience and a realistic plan for distribution.
• The grant will make a critical contribution to the completion of the project.
• The project can be completed within a 24-month timeline based on the applicant’s post-production, fundraising plans, personnel and budget.

Review Process 

JFI pre-screeners will review all applications, preview sample works, and select semifinalists to be recommended to an independent panel. An independent panel of media professionals including producers, directors, programmers, academics or other experts in the field will convene to collectively select the grant recipients. The names of the panelists will remain confidential until after the awards are announced at the 40th San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. Grant amounts will be determined based on project need and will generally range from $5,000 to $50,000.

JFI does not provide critiques, screening notes, or individual reviews of any films not chosen for completion grants.

Requirements of grantees

Grantees will be asked to submit an invoice and sign a Receipt of Funds Letter of Agreement that will require: 

• Grantee to provide a signed Producer’s Warranty at the time of the award notification if one has not already been provided.
• Grantee will make the finished film available to JFI for a San Francisco Bay Area premiere if selected to screen at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival or another year round screening series at JFI.
• Grantee will acknowledge funding by the Jewish Film Institute and any JFI named Completion Award in onscreen and printed credits for the completed project.
• Grantee will provide an update on the status of the film six-months after receiving grant funds.

Restrictions

• Filmmaker may not be JFI employee or board member.

• Filmmaker may not be a full-time student.

• Project cannot be a work for hire.

• Only one application per project will be accepted.
• Industrial or promotional projects are ineligible.

JFI Completion Grants Program Application is a 6-part form which will REQUIRE the Producer's Warranty (download here and attach to application). Awards will be announced at the 2020 San Francisco Jewish Film Festival.

NOTE REGARDING SFJFF FESTIVAL SUBMISSION: This grant application is NOT AN ENTRY FORM for the SFJFF Film Festival. If you would like to submit your project to the upcoming festival you must download an official Festival Entry Form or submit your film on filmfreeway.com