Innovative Filmmakers Challenge

Innovative Filmmakers Challenge is sponsored by Chapman University. This challenge funds student filmmaker projects that push the boundaries of storytelling through virtual production and/or artificial intelligence.

Awards and Grants College of Film and Media Arts | Chapman University Skip over carousel to next section Dodge College of Film and Media Arts Dodge College of Film and Media Arts » Dodge College Awards and Grants Dodge College is grateful for the generous donors and sponsors who provide awards and grants funding for student productions.

These include: Eligible: Producer-initiated Undergrad Thesis Projects Funds applied to: Thesis production Applications open: Monday, Sept. 21, 2026 (2026-27 academic year) Applications close: 5:00 p. m.

, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026 The Jim Deck Memorial Award is a need and merit-based award available to undergraduate students to be used towards production costs related to their producer-initiated narrative Submit your application using the Jim Deck Memorial Application form .

Leo Freedman First Cut Fellowship in Film Grant Eligible: Graduate and Undergraduate filmmakers (Narrative and Documentary) Funds applied to: Thesis production Applications open: Monday, Oct. 12, 2026 (2026-27 academic year) Applications close at 5:00 p. m.

on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 This grant provides funding for unusual or special production-specific expenses incurred in the making of a Graduate Thesis or Senior Thesis (Narrative and Documentary) production. A special expense is defined as an expense that is out of the ordinary in relation to usual production costs.

In the past, grants have been awarded to offset the cost of an unusual location, construction/set costs, accommodations and per diem for a distant location shoot, a studio teacher for minors, and the cost of a stunt coordinator, among others. Grants range from $500-$3,000 and will be awarded to a limited number of projects.

Projects can submit retroactively for funds, but will be considered alongside all project submissions at that time. Though the deadlines below list a specific cycle number, this is just a recommendation for each cycle. Projects can also submit retroactively for funds, but will be considered alongside all project submissions at that time.

Awarded funds will be disbursed in Spring 2026. Submit your application using the Leo Freedman Application Form . Innovative Filmmakers Challenge Eligible: Graduate and Undergraduate students Funds applied to: An AP, IP, Tenner or Thesis film OR a project being created in the following classes: VRAR 120, FTV 150, VRAR 350/FTV 550.

Applications open: Monday, July 6 Applications Close: Friday, Sept. 11 The Innovative Filmmakers Challenge funds student filmmaker projects that push the boundaries of storytelling through virtual production and/or artificial intelligence. Grants range from $2,500 to $15,000.

Awarded funds will be disbursed in Fall 2026. Submit your application using the Innovative Filmmakers Challenge Form . Senior Thesis Producer Initiated Award Eligible: Undergraduate Filmmakers Funds applied to: Senior thesis production Applications open: 2025-26 applications are now closed.

Applications open annually during the Spring semester as part of the Senior Thesis Script Submission Process. Prospective Seniors should monitor their student email accounts for detailed notices of submission deadlines in Spring. The Senior Thesis Producer Initiated Award provides funds for senior thesis projects originated by a producer.

Producers must be Creative Producing majors with junior standing who are eligible to enroll in Senior Thesis the following fall. The final story idea submitted must have originated from the producer, whether it be an original concept/script or an underlying property discovered by/originated with the producer. The script cannot be written by the director.

The producer maintains creative control of the project, has final cut, and is financially responsible for the project. At the time of submission the producer must have a senior thesis eligible director attached to the project in order to be considered. Directors attached to a producer initiated project will not be permitted to direct a second senior thesis project.

This award submission process is administrated by Production Management as part of the yearly spring semester senior thesis script submission process for the following academic year. Award funds are tied to the specific project submitted, and should the project be abandoned, access to the funds will be surrendered. In the past awards of up to $7,500 were awarded to projects.

Women of Chapman Endowed Student Filmmaker Award Eligible: Undergraduate Narrative filmmakers Funds applied to: Thesis production Application open: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 (2026-27 academic year) Application close: 5:00 p. m. on Friday, Aug.

21, 2026 The Women of Chapman Endowed Student Filmmaker Award is a need and merit-based award available to undergraduate students to be used towards production costs related to their upcoming senior thesis project. This award provides the valuable resources necessary for productions that have a unique concept and/or distinctive opportunity intrinsic to the development of the story.

Selection process requires an application, an in-person pitch to the donors, and attendance to their early Fall luncheon. Submit your application using the Women of Chapman Application Form . Eligible: All student filmmakers Funds applied to: Thesis production Applications open: Monday, Nov.

9, 2026 (2026-27 academic year) Applications close: 5 :00 p. m. on Friday, Dec.

4 , 2026 The Zonta Awards are open to all graduate and undergraduate students including narrative and documentary filmmakers. Awards will be directed towards supporting films that are created for, by, or about women. Two awards will be given — one to the thesis film or films that exemplify this description and a second award to an individual or individuals who show the most potential to succeed in the entertainment industry.

This second award is for individual use and does not have to be applied to a specific Zonta Awards are retroactive to the beginning of the fall semester. The Zonta Awards are handed out during the annual Zonta Film Festival, usually in the Spring. Submit your application using the Zonta Awards Form .

My thesis production is coming up soon and we predict large expenses. Is there anything Yes, there absolutely is! The “Student Production/Project Awards” tab above should be able to help you, but make sure to plan ahead.

Some awards are awarded in the year before you go into production for your thesis. We’ve got some additional expenses for our AP/IP. Can we apply for any production Unfortunately, all of our production awards and grants are driven to support thesis I was accepted to Chapman and am looking for scholarships to help with my tuition.

Dodge College does not control the tuition scholarships available. Please contact the financial aid office to ask if there is anything the university can do to support I see the above timelines available for each grant. How/when will I hear that the Keep an eye on your student email.

Every application process is announced through email. Generally, it is also included in the Slate, the Dodge College weekly newsletter What do I need to apply for a project grant? Every award/grant has a unique application process specific to its review.

Each selection committee understands the academic cycle and we will not ask you for something that If you have additional questions, please reach out to ftvawards@chapman. edu .