CFA × IMGN Film Grant

CFA × IMGN Film Grant is sponsored by CFA Institute and IMGN. Provides funding for independent narrative film projects with a focus on financial literacy and education.

CFA × IMGN Grant Application CFA × IMGN Grant Application Deadline: December 31, 2026 Welcome to the CFA × IMGN Grant CFA Institute, in partnership with IMGN, is awarding one filmmaker $4,500 to support an independent narrative or documentary project in 2026. The centerpiece of this application is a production book built on IMGN — a script breakdown, schedule, coverage, and pre-visualization for your project.

Your production book is how we'll get to know your work. You will have access to tutorials in this application. Applications are open to U.S.-based filmmakers (50 states + DC), 18 and older.

The application is free to submit. If your project is completed before funds are disbursed, you'll receive the $4,500 as a reimbursement upon submission of a final cut of the film. Winner announced and funds disbursed by end of January 2027.

I am 18 years of age or older. I am a resident of the United States (50 states + DC). The project I am submitting is original and I (or my team) own/control the underlying rights.

Please enter a valid phone number. Format: (000) 000-0000. City State/Province Postal/Zip Code Democratic Republic of the Congo Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Transnistria Pridnestrovie Your role on this project * Briefly describe your experience and who you are as a filmmaker.

* What kind of stories do you tell? What are your strengths as a collaborator? Maximum 250 words.

0/250 Racial or ethnic identity Do you have a disability? Please let us know any accommodations you may need. Music videos and experimental films are not eligible for this grant.

Estimated total budget (USD) * Enter the total estimated production budget in USD. If your budget exceeds $10,000, you'll have the option to also apply for fiscal sponsorship later in this form. Anticipated completion date * 2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit year Date What's the part of this project you're most afraid you won't get right?

* What support, beyond money, would actually move this project forward? Be specific. (Mentorship in [area]?

A connection to [type of person]? A specific tool, festival, distributor?)" * Where do you currently look for support as an emerging filmmaker, and where do you feel underserved?

* What would this $4,500 free up for you that you couldn't access otherwise? * We've partnered with our sponsor IMGN to power the production-book portion of this application. IMGN is a production workflow platform built for filmmakers, a suggestive assistant that handles pre-production work (script breakdowns, scheduling, character and set design, storyboards, image-to-video pre-visualization) so you can focus on the creative side.

Free to use, and tutorials are built into the platform. Your work stays your work. Access tutorials here: https://imgn.

ai/#tutorials As you create your production book on IMGN, you retain full ownership of your scripts, breakdowns, designs, and other materials. As part of your application, you'll create a production book on IMGN that gives us a complete picture of your project: who's in it, what it looks like, how it's structured, and how you plan to bring it to life. 2.

Watch the tutorials here (if needed): https://imgn. ai/#tutorials 3. Build your production book.

It must include: - Script Breakdown (Characters (Main, Day), Logline, Synopsis) 4. Export your production book as PDF and upload it below. This will be attached to your application for our panelists to review.

If you have ANY issues or questions with building your production book, email Yaron (who works at IMGN!) at yaron@imgn. co .

Tutorial - Script Breakdown and Coverage Tutorial - Characters Management REVIEW THIS PRIOR TO COMPLETING YOUR PRODUCTION BOOK ( CLICK HERE ) Upload a File Drag and drop files here Fiscal Sponsorship Program Because your project is budgeted above $10,000, you may benefit from CFA's Fiscal Sponsorship Program.

As a 501(c)(3), CFA accepts tax-deductible donations on your project's behalf, making it easier to raise from individual donors, family foundations, and grants that require a fiscal sponsor. The standard application fee is $45, applying through the IMGN Grant, you pay only $15 (or $45 expedited, instead of $75). Applications typically take 2 weeks to review.

You'll be considered the project's main point of contact and will sign the grantor/grantee agreement on the project's behalf. Would you like to also apply for CFA's Fiscal Sponsorship Program? * Have you participated in a fiscal sponsorship program before?

* Outline the topic and themes. Why are you uniquely suited to make this film? Why is the topic important and timely?

0/250 Describe your creative vision — visual look and feel, artistic approach, any innovative elements or technologies. 0/350 Status & Timeline (detailed) * Detail the current stage. Outline key activities, production schedule, anticipated dates for completion, post-production, release.

0/250 Who is your intended audience, how will you reach them, and what are your specific plans for festival, theatrical, or other screenings? 0/350 Are you partnering with organizations, vendors, or filmmakers outside of crew/suppliers? Who are they and how are you working together?

0/200 Total amount you are looking to raise (USD) * Please answer: (1) Current strategy for raising funds. (2) How will you use this fiscal sponsorship to raise funds? (3) What % of your budget will be raised through fiscal sponsorship?

(4) Specific donors in mind? (5) Are you applying to grants/foundations? Which ones?

0/1000 Funding to date & projected sources * Detailed breakdown — secured vs. potential, individual grants and contributions separated, status of pending sources, and which sources will be submitted under fiscal sponsorship. Totals must equal or exceed your proposed budget. 0/1000 Key creatives & collaborators * Format each: Full Name, Role, Website/Portfolio Link, Short Bio, 3 Key Credits.

Include Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Cinematographer, Editor, Production Designer, Cast, or Other (Industry Partner / Mentor). 0/1500 Sample material link (rough cut, sizzle, proof of concept) What should reviewers focus on? Note any incomplete elements and what will change in the final.

0/500 Comprehensive Line Item Budget Upload a File Drag and drop files here Upload a File Drag and drop files here Upload a File Drag and drop files here Upload a File Drag and drop files here Producer or Director Resume Upload a File Drag and drop files here Fiscal Sponsorship Application Fee * Discounted from $45 — applying via the IMGN Grant. Expedited 5-day review. Discounted from $75.

How did you hear about this grant? * Please review and confirm the following before submitting. CFA × IMGN GRANT — TERMS OF APPLICATION By submitting an application, you agree to the following terms.

1. Sponsor & Administrator. The Grant is administered by Cinematography for Actors Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ('CFA Institute'), in partnership with IMGN Software, Inc. ('IMGN').

2. Eligibility. Applicants must be (a) at least 18 years old, (b) legal residents of the United States (50 states + Washington, D.

C.) , and (c) the original creator(s) of the project, with rights or control over any underlying material. Music videos and experimental films are not eligible.

3. Submission Window. Applications are accepted through December 31, 2026.

The winner will be announced and funds disbursed by January 31, 2027. 4. Application Fee.

The Grant application is free. If the applicant elects to also apply to CFA's Fiscal Sponsorship Program, separate fees apply ($15 standard / $45 expedited). 5.

Prize. One (1) winner will receive a one-time award of $4,500 USD, issued by check or ACH following submission of IRS Form W-9. Prizes are reportable to the IRS; the recipient is responsible for all federal, state, and local taxes.

6. Reimbursement Option. If the winner's project is completed before grant funds are disbursed, the $4,500 will be issued as a reimbursement upon submission of a final cut of the film.

7. Selection. Winners are selected at the sole discretion of CFA Institute's selection committee.

Decisions are final. 8. Ownership of Submitted Materials.

Applicants retain full ownership of all intellectual property in their submissions. By submitting, you grant CFA Institute and IMGN a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use your name, project title, logline, and submitted work samples for purposes of promoting the Grant program. 10.

Fiscal Sponsorship Program. Acceptance into the Fiscal Sponsorship Program is a separate determination from the Grant award and is governed by a separate grantor/grantee agreement. The discounted application fee is available only when applying via this Grant application.

11. Photo & Likeness Release. If selected as a winner, you grant CFA Institute permission to use your name, image, likeness, project title, and submitted work samples in promotional materials related to the Grant program in perpetuity.

12. Disqualification. CFA Institute reserves the right to disqualify any application that contains false or misleading information, infringes third-party rights, fails to meet eligibility requirements, or otherwise violates these Terms.

13. No Purchase Necessary; Skill-Based Award. This is a skill-based grant judged on artistic merit.

No purchase is required to apply. The optional Fiscal Sponsorship application fee is a separate program fee. 14.

Modification & Cancellation. CFA Institute reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the Grant program with reasonable notice where possible. 15.

Privacy. Information submitted is handled in accordance with CFA Institute's privacy practices and used for application review, partnership reporting, and CFA's communications. 16.

Governing Law. These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California. 17.

Contact. Questions: contact@cinematographyforactors. com.

Typed signature (full legal name) * 2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit year Date Please verify that you are human * Submit Application Submit Application