ALT: A brown person's hands holding a black professional video camera, The persons is wearing a long sleeve black jacket and the blurred ackground scene appears to be by a waterfront location.
CAPTION: "Documenting Life In Leimert Park" by joey zanotti from Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, USA is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Below are Q & As and our Application Workshop (VIDEO) that clarify sections of our open microgrant call and the application process.
If you have a question not covered here, please contact Abbie or Savita at bcc.creatives@gmail.com.
WATCH: Application Workshop facilitated on Feb 9th by Abbie and Savita.
***Note the extension deadline of March 12th is not reflected in this video.
1. How do we determine eligibility? Do I need to submit any documents to prove eligibility?
We determine eligibility with your completed application (including Artist Statement & Film Synopsis) by the deadline now EXTENDED to March 12th, 2023 at 5pm PST.
Successful applicants must submit a valid ID and W2 form in order to receive the award.
Currently matriculated students, and current contractors, team, and staff members of BCC and NWFF are not eligible to apply.
2. What do you mean by 1st time filmmakers?
If you are working on your 1st film at any stage of development, any genre - short or feature length - then this grant is for you.
3. How does your selection process work? Who makes the decisions for the award?
Two Jurors will carefully screen each application and choose 4 recipients after a 6 week judicial period.
4. What is the deadline for applications?
now EXTENDED to March 12th, 2023 at 5pm PST.. We will not review applications after this date.
5. What is the award amount?
Four (4) awardees will be chosen and receive an amount of $2,500 each.
6. Are there any restrictions on this award?
This is an unrestricted grant. Unrestricted means you can choose to spend this money however you wish.
7. How long should my written film synopsis be?
No longer than 300 words
8. What are you looking for in the Artist statement? Can I submit a video?
Your Artist Statement includes a brief explanation of career goals, biographical information, and why you are interested in applying.
You have the option of submitting this portion as written text (600wds max) OR video link (or upload at one (1) GB max size limit)
If submitting a video – please share as open link (no password) or upload file no larger than 3.2MB
9. When will the awards be announced?
Monday April 24th, 2023
10. Will you publish the list of selected applicants?
Yes! We will be announcing our winners on our website and social media.
11. Who can I contact to get more information?
Abbie or Savita at bcc.creatives@gmail.com
12. Will you provide support during the application process? How?
We had an Application Workshop where we reviewed the application form and grant requirements . See recording on this page or via YouTube.
We will also be available via email bcc.creatives@gmail.com to answer any questions and concerns.
13. Does the awardee receive other kinds of support in addition to the grant monies?
Awardees will also receive the following benefits courtesy of BCC’s Fiscal Sponsor and grant co-sponsor NWFF.
Four (4) movie passes to NWFF, valid for 1 year from date of award
Unlimited Workshop and Class waivers, valid for 1 year from date of award and subject to availability/class capacity
Use of NWFF editing room, or community spaces for gatherings, valid for 1 year from date of award and subject to scheduling availability
Mentorship/consultant sessions with Seattle film artists, BCC + NWFF program leaders
A film screening and promotional support – if the awardee film is completed within 1 year from date of award.
14. If I receive the award, can I apply for this microgrant again in the future?
No, this award is for 1st time filmmakers, so as we understand it - if you won this would mean you are no longer a 1st time filmmaker. It is also possible that we may not have this particular kind of grant available in the future.
15. How will I be receiving my funds?
We will give each recipient unrestricted funding of $2,500. A Direct Deposit or check payment will be sent out (as preferred, in keeping with your information provided) within four weeks of the public grant announcement.
16. Can two people submit an application together? Or as an organization?
Artists collaborators (example co directors or writer/director teams etc.) are eligible, but that does not denote a double prize. Collaborators will be sharing a single prize.
Organizations are not eligible to apply.
17. Are there previous application examples?
The 2023 Black Cinema Collective Microgrant is being launched for the 1st first time, so we do not have previous application samples to share.
In early February, we offered an Application Workshop to talk through ideas of what you may want to submit.. PLEASE see recording on this page or via YouTube.
18. Why is this grant open to only first-time filmmakers?
The purpose of this grant to support filmmakers that are in the beginning stages of their journey, who are also in need of artist development support.
Note this is open to people 18 years and older, there is no age cap for first time filmmakers!
19. What do you mean by Black filmmakers?
Regardless of their ethnicity, gender, (dis)abilities, sexual orientation, we understand black to mean someone who self-identifies racially and culturally as a Black person.
20. Why is this grant only open to residents of OR & WA?
While BCC supports filmmakers both locally and globally, this year we want to support regional Black artists from Washington and Oregon.
Our fiscal sponsor, NWFF, is generously co-sponsoring artist development prizes - some of which can only be used in-person at their facilities. It is easier to access their facilities if you are geographically closer in Washington or Oregon.
21. Why is it called a "microgrant"?
The reason we are calling this a microgrant is because we have a limited sum of production grant funds, and we would like to disperse the funds between multiple individuals.
22. What obligations do awarded applicants have if they are selected by jurors to receive this grant?
If awardee does choose to receive award package, they will be required to sign a Letter of Agreement (LOA) listing all awards received. If awardees so choose, they can provide their availability to participate in offered mentorship sessions (Dates TBD), and to schedule NW Film Forum facility benefits within the calendar year.
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As we will be publicly congratulating the awardees, we'll request a photo or headshot, bio, and any promotional links/socials/websites for us to share or tag you in our announcements.
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We would love a funding or producer shout out in your film credits, but that's totally up to you! ;-).
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Application Deadline: now EXTENDED to March 12th, 2023 at 5pm PST.:
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Awardee announcements: Monday April 24th, 2023.
The 2023 Black Filmmaker Microgrant is fiscally supported by the Creative Equity Grant we received in 2021 from the Seattle Foundation. Artist development package of awards is offered through generous co-sponsorship support by Northwest Film Forum.
