• We will only consider completed films.
• Eligible projects would have already completed post-production or should be close to completing.
• Projects should not have screened at festivals, markets or at public events
• Projects should have been completed after January 1, 2008
• Projects must be feature length narrative works in any genre (drama, comedy, action) that pose crucial questions about the role of science and technology in everyday lives, and depict the lives of scientists, engineers and mathematicians in fresh ways.
• Student projects or films in the science-fiction genre will not be eligible, although prior award recipients from the Sloan Foundation’s Film School or Film Festival Programs are encouraged to apply.

Development Funds

• Projects must be feature length narrative works in any genre (drama, comedy, action) that pose crucial questions about the role of science and technology in everyday lives, and depict the lives of scientists, engineers and mathematicians in fresh ways.
• Projects may include treatments and finished screenplays.
• Eligible projects should NOT have already commenced production.
• Student projects or films in the science-fiction genre will not be eligible, although prior award recipients from the Sloan Foundation’s Film School or Film Festival Programs are encouraged to apply.

Selection Process

Feature-length narrative projects are accepted through an open-call for submissions on withoutabox.com. Projects will be judged for their quality and accuracy in portraying scientific ideas.

Ancillary Support

In addition to project funding filmmakers will be provided with ancillary support depending on level of experience and need. This will include:

1. Mentorship, especially for filmmakers at an early stage of their career; and
   
2. Film industry networking to promote finished screenplays and films and works-in-progress

Program staff will work closely with grantees to design a custom strategy for developing each project based on its unique production status.  If recommended by the Award Committee, an advisor will be assigned to grantees to provide guidance in the areas that need most development.  Advisors and recipients will initially meet to formulate a project plan and set targets and goals for the grant year, to be reviewed quarterly.  Advisors and grantees will have the opportunity to meet in person throughout the grant year to evaluate a film’s progress and advance it to the next phase.

Where appropriate, program staff may suggest goals to advance the film’s development, production or post-production, which may include re-write deadlines; one-on-one script development; strategies to promote and expose projects to key players from film financing or distribution; and guidance or assistance during the post-production process.

Projects that receive funding in one grant year will be able to re-apply for funding in the next, thereby building the feature film in stages, provided the recipient can demonstrate significant progress with the project.

Submission Rules & Regulations

In order to qualify for the TFI Sloan Filmmaker Fund, entrants must comply with ALL of the following Rules and Eligibility Requirements. Failure to comply with these rules will render a Submission ineligible.

• Submissions must be fiction motion pictures with an intended length of at least 60 minutes and should pose crucial questions and generate new ways of thinking about the role of science and technology in everyday lives and in those of celebrated personalities in the field.
• Submissions must be in the development, production or post-production stages but must not have secured any form of distribution.
• Foreign language features are eligible, but must be subtitled and suitable for an American audience.
• Applicants must be over 18-years old.
• Applicants must complete the online application form and submit supporting materials, to include bios and headshots of filmmaker(s) and key crew members. Contact information for each crew member should also be included.
• Screenplays must be registered with the WGA or copyright office (see www.wgawregistry.org or www.copyright.gov/register/performing.html).
• Eligible projects must submit a concise timeline explaining the sequence of steps required for the completion of the film with the application.
• Entrants must apply for a specific area of funding within the three categories offered and detail how this money will be used towards the completion of the film. The Award Committee will determine the actual amount awarded to Fund recipients.
• For films that have started production, applicants must submit 2 DVD copies of an extended trailer (no shorter than 5 minutes), scene assemblage or a rough cut of the project. Label the DVDs with project title, running time and contact information. DVDs must be formatted for Zone 0 and 1.
• Submissions must be shipped pre-paid, including any duties or customs fees.
• The Tribeca Film Institute will make every effort to safe-guard the materials submitted; however TFI will not be responsible for lost or stolen Submissions. Submissions will not be returned.
• A grantees’ project team (writer, director, producer, as applicable) must be in attendance during the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival.
• Fund recipients will include the following wording in their opening or closing credits: “In association with the TFI Sloan Filmmaker Fund” (opening) or “Supported by the TFI Sloan Filmmaker Fund” (closing).
• Student films , documentary films and short films are not eligible for submission.
• Applicants will be notified no later than October 1, 2008 whether their films are awarded funding or not.
• Applicants are not required to have an agent or be a guild member.

Entry Deadlines & Fees

Submission Checklist

1. WITHOUTABOX Application. Submit online, and once you receive a WAB tracking number send in your submission package to the address below. We WILL NOT accept packages that do not have a copy of the WAB application and tracking #.
2. SIGNED RELEASE FORM. Your submission is NOT complete unless you include a completed and SIGNED Release Form. Including a completed and signed Release Form with your submission is MANDATORY.
3. Two (2) copies of statement of funding request (limit 2 pages) describing amount requested and purpose.
   
4. Two (2) copies of the production budget (top sheet)
5. Two (2) copies of the timeline outlining steps to complete film and progress to next stage (limit 1 page)
6. Short bios of filmmaker(s) and key crew members, two (2) copies. Please keep brief and try to limit to 1-2 pages
   
7. Headshots of filmmaker(s) and key crew members.
   Headshots do not need to be of professional quality, but should the project be accepted they may be used for promotional purposes so do not submit a photo you would prefer not to see in print. If submitted digitally via CD, image filenames should use the following format: 'firstname_lastname.jpg' and should be at least 1200-1500 pixels in either width or height.

Finishing funds

1. Two (2) DVD copies (formatted for Zones 0 and 1) of any available edited footage (e.g. film, trailer, teaser or rough-cut) should be submitted on DVD. Label the DVD with project title, running time and a short description (e.g. trailer).

Distribution funds

1. Two (2) of the sales and distribution strategy (limit 1 page)
2. Two (2) DVD copies of film or trailer (formatted for Zones 0 and 1) AND any other available edited footage (e.g. trailer, teaser or rough-cut) should be submitted on DVD. Label the DVD with project title, running time and a short description (e.g. trailer).

Development funds

1. Two (2) copies of the film’s screenplay, properly formatted to meet industry standards (unless treatment only is being submitted). In the interest of saving paper and space screenplays MUST be double-sided and secured with brass fasteners.
2. Two (2) copies of the treatment. Limit to 1 page, unless submission is in TREATMENT STAGE, in which case a detailed treatment is required (limit 15 pages).
   
3. If applicable, edited footage related to the project (e.g. trailer, teaser, etc.) should be submitted on DVD. Two (2) copies of the DVD labeled with project title, running time and a short description (e.g. trailer).
4. If Director is attached, TWO (2) copies of the director’s prior work should be submitted on DVD (Accepted Works: Narrative Short; Narrative Feature; Music Video; Commercial; PSA; or Industrial). DO NOT send more than one sample of prior work per director unless more than one director is attached.

Beth Janson, Program Director
Payal Sethi, Program Manager