Apply To These Short Film Funds in 2026

I feel like there's always this debate going on in Hollywood about whether or not short films are worth your time. And I think, if someone else is paying for it... they definitely are!

That's why I always encourage people with those short film ideas to seek out funds that can help assuage the costs of making them.

They're not always easy to find, so I thought I'd drop a few here today for you to check out.

Whether you’re shooting on 16mm or looking for a $50,000 "proof of concept" boost, there is money on the table.

Here is where you should be applying right now.

1. Slick Films Fund

Now in its third year, Slick Films, in association with the Bolton Film Festival, is looking for one bold short film to take home a £10,000 grand prize.

If you’re a first-timer, they also offer a specific £3,000 grant for debut filmmakers.

• The Perks: Mentorship from Oscar winners Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton, festival strategy from Festival Formula, and distribution via Network Ireland Television.
• Deadline: April 8, 2026.
• Apply: Submit via FilmFreeway

2. First Flights / Kodak Short Film Fund

If you’re trying to test a feature idea, this is the one for you. First Flights offers grants up to $10,000 for scripted and documentary shorts that could be features someday.

• The Perks: Thanks to a partnership with Kodak and Periscope, two winners get 2,000 feet of 16mm film stock, and one winner snags a $10,000 post-production package.
• Deadline: April 30, 2026.
• Apply: Check out First Flights

3. Shore Scripts Short Film Fund

We couldn’t leave out our friends at Shore Scripts. Their Spring Season is officially open, and they are putting up some serious capital for both scripts and films already in the works.

• The Perks: A $15,000 cash production grant for one script and $4,000 in finishing funds for a project in post. Plus, camera equipment from ARRI Rental and mentorship from top-tier festival programmers.
• Deadline: Early deadline is February 27th (passed), but the final call is May 4, 2026.
• Apply: Shore Scripts Short Film Fund

4. Film Pipeline Short Film Contest

Now in its 9th year, Film Pipeline is all about finding "forward-thinking" storytellers. They aren't picky about genre—narrative, experimental, and proof-of-concepts are all welcome.

• The Perks: $5,000 for the best short and potential screenings in Los Angeles. Winners also get development assistance to help turn that short into something bigger.
• Deadline: October 30, 2026.
• Apply: Visit Film Pipeline

5. Creative Capital

This is a massive opportunity for U.S.-based artists. While not film-specific, they award roughly 50 projects up to $50,000 each. They love work that pushes boundaries and explores social or conceptual themes.

• The Perks: Serious funding and a massive prestige boost. They just gave away $2.9M to 109 artists for the 2026 cycle.
• Deadline: The 2027 open call begins Spring 2026.
• Apply: Creative Capital Grants

Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming & Recent Deadlines

We missed some deadlines, but you want to set your calendars for the future,

These funds have either just closed or are worth watching for the next cycle. If you missed the window, use the time to get your script in perfect shape for 2027.

• NewFest’s New Voices Filmmaker Grant: Supported by Netflix, this $25,000 grant is for LGBTQ+ directors. The 2026 cycle closed in February, but keep an eye on NewFest for the next round.
• Antigravity Academy’s Short Film Studio: Partnered with Dolby, they produce two shorts a year with a $35,000 budget. Their 2026 winners just premiered at Sundance! Check back in early 2027.
• USC Annenberg’s Proof of Concept: This is a powerhouse program from Cate Blanchett and Netflix, offering $50,000 to women, trans, and non-binary directors. The 2026 deadline was February 6th—bookmark this one for next year.

Summing It All Up

Most of these funds require a solid short script, a lookbook, and a clear budget. Don't wait until the week of the deadline to start your application!

Let us know if there are other competitions we should know about in the comments.