2027 JFI Grants: Application Guidelines

This page contains guidelines for the 2027 JFI Grants application process.
Applications will open in October 2026. 

The Jewish Film Institute's Grants provide finishing funds to original, independent films and media projects that explore Jewish history, life, culture, and identity with nuance and complexity. Projects eligible for consideration include narratives, documentaries, shorts, episodic programs, or web series in all genres.

Download the 2027 Phase 1 application questions here (must be completed on FilmFreeway).
Watch an Info Session recording here (link to come).

Note: Applicants must create a project page on Film Freeway with a bio and director’s statement, and a link to up to 10 minutes of sample footage. There is a custom form with additional questions. Please download the application questions and prepare your answers before filling out the custom form. It cannot be saved while in process. Read the guidelines carefully. No refunds will be given to projects that are deemed ineligible.

Key Dates:

• Phase 1 Applications Open: October 15, 2026
• Early Deadline, Phase 1 Applications: November 6, 2026
• Final Deadline, Phase 1 Applications: December 3, 2026
• Invitations Sent to Submit Phase 2 Proposals: February 5, 2027
• Phase 2 Application Deadline: March 3, 2027
• Notification Deadline: July 17, 2027
• Announcement Date: August 2027

Note: all deadlines are midnight Pacific Time.

Upcoming Info Sessions:

Hosted by Marcia Jarmel, Director of Artist Development. Via Zoom, Advance registration required.

• October 9, 2026 - 9am PT: Register Here
• November 4, 2026 - 12pm PT: Register Here
• November 20, 2026 - 9am PT: Register Here

Grants are given only for completion expenses. To be competitive, projects must be in post-production with at least a strong rough cut. Projects in development, script-development, pre-production, production, or early post-production will not be considered. Applicant must hold artistic, budgetary, and editorial control and maintain copyright of the proposed project.

• • In case of collaboration, a sole project director must be designated as the applicant.
  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old. 
  • Sample work must be in English or subtitled in English.
  • Student, educational, and promotional projects are not eligible for consideration.
  • Films cannot be finished at the time of application. Films can be eligible if they premiere before grant determinations are made, if you can document a need for support to cover finishing expenses. 
  • If you are using generative AI to realize any part of your artistic vision or grant submission materials, please indicate clearly in your answers in what way and why.

Applicants do not need to be Jewish, but projects must reflect thoughtful consideration of Jewish history, life, culture, or identity.

Projects Must:

• Make a unique contribution to the body of films on Jewish history, life, culture and/or identity.
• Have high production values and reflect excellence and originality in storytelling and craft.
• Have potential to entertain and engage, turn conversation into action, and reframe understanding of Jewish cultures and identities.
• Showcase contemporary relevance.
• Demonstrate a realistic schedule, fundraising plan, personnel, and budget to bring the project to completion.
• Identify a realistic strategy for reaching its intended audience.
• Show that the grant will make a critical contribution to the project’s completion.
• Demonstrate a strong alignment to JFI's mission, vision, and values. 

A selection committee of industry professionals will review all applications, preview sample works, and assist JFI staff in selecting projects invited to submit full proposals in Phase 1 and projects selected to go before the granting panel in Phase 2. An independent panel of media professionals including producers, directors, programmers, academics, distributors, 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 San Francisco Jewish Film Festival in August of each year.

JFI is not able to provide critiques, screening notes, or individual reviews of films not chosen for Grants.

• The Jewish Film Institute will have the first option to present the Bay Area Premiere of the film.
• The grantee will acknowledge funding by the Jewish Film Institute and any designated/named Award or Grant on screen, in web, pitchbook, poster, and printed credits for the project, or wherever else such credits appear. JFI staff has the right to review credits before post-production is complete.
• Grantee will provide a MP4 file of the finished film and trailer for JFI’s archive, not to be shared without the filmmaker’s express permission.
• The grantee will update JFI staff on the status of the film at milestone moments for JFI to report to stakeholders and elevate in its communications.
• Grantees must adhere to JFI's community standards and code of conduct. 

In addition to funding, grantees are entitled to:

• Recognition in JFI's institutional and marketing materials year-round and at the annual San Francisco Jewish Film Festival.
• Invitations to live and online filmmaker events year-round.
• Request feedback on their project from JFI staff.
• Host a work-in-progress screening virtually or in the Ninth Street Independent Media Center’s Screening Room, under JFI’s auspices.

• Grantee may not be a Jewish Film Institute employee or Board member.
• Grantee may not be a full-time student.
• The project cannot be a work for hire.
• Only one application per project will be accepted.
• Industrial, educational, or promotional projects are ineligible.
  

This grant application is not an entry form for the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. If you would like to submit your project to the upcoming festival, visit this page.