Feature Film Grant
(Opens for Submissions June 23)
Program Guidelines
Oregon Film is excited to announce the Feature Film Impact Grant, designed to support film projects that can make a positive impact on Oregon’s film industry. This grant aims to help grow Oregon’s film scene, create local job opportunities, and bring people together through stories that celebrate Oregon’s culture, history, and landscape.
Projects should have a clear plan, be financially viable, and make a meaningful contribution to Oregon’s film industry. This grant encourages diverse perspectives and focuses on elevating underrepresented voices in filmmaking.
Key Dates
- Application Opens: June 23, 2025
- Grant Q&A: June 25, 2025 at 12N Online
- Early Bird Deadline: July 11, 2025 midnight PST (two thirds of total funding will be distributed to early bird submissions)
- Final Deadline: Applications close on July 25 by midnight PST
- Award Notification: End of September, 2025
The purpose of this funding is to:
- Support Oregon’s Film Industry: Foster growth of the local film economy, including job creation and further development of the filmmaking ecosystem within Oregon.
- Promote Oregon-Based Projects: Prioritize projects that are deeply rooted in Oregon, both in subject matter and production, showcasing the state’s unique culture, history, and landscape.
- Support Capacity Building of Local Production Institutions: Support the sustainability of Oregon’s film production infrastructure, including institutions that contribute to the long-term career development of local talent and crew, providing opportunities for education, mentorship, and skill-building within the state’s film community.
- Community Building: Support productions that further diversify the local film community, emphasizing equitable opportunities for filmmakers who have been historically underserved. Projects that utilize regional or rural set stories or draw from regional or rural talent are also encouraged.
This grant program strongly encourages applications from productions that promote career advancement and/or storytelling for historically underserved communities in Oregon. These may include individuals who identify as BIPOC – Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (including but not limited to Latino/a/e/x, Asian American and Pacific Islanders), those who speak English as a second language, people living with disabilities, youth, women, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, people on the gender spectrum, individuals experiencing homelessness or living in poverty, those impacted by the legal system, immigration, and/or incarceration.
The grant is open to all eligible applicants and all applications will be reviewed fairly and in accordance with applicable laws.
Proposed projects should be aligned with the following guidelines:
- Cultural, Economic, and Creative Impact: Projects should have a significant impact on filmmakers, audiences, and the broader Oregon community, fostering growth in the state’s film industry; including job creation, and community engagement.
- Focus on Oregon-Based Projects: Projects must be rooted in Oregon, both in subject matter and production, ensuring a tangible connection to the state’s culture, history, and/or landscape.
- Path to Completion: Proposed projects must demonstrate a reasonable path to completion, with clear planning, financial support and viability, and a commitment to delivering a finished project. Projects must have a viable plan to raise the funding needed for their budget and grants funds will not be paid out until funding is secured.
- Community Building: Projects must elevate underrepresented voices, stories and practice diverse hiring in the filmmaking community. Regional and rural set stories and crews are also encouraged.
Eligibility Requirements
- Feature Film Criteria: The project must be a feature film with a runtime of 60 minutes or more.
- Productions should be partially financed and in the development or pre-production phase.
- All types of feature films will be considered, including but not limited to: narrative, documentary, animation, experimental, and silent films.
- Funding and Financial Requirements:
- Proof of Additional Funding: Applicants must show proof of or a plan to secure other funding sources before grant payment is made. Projects must have a viable plan to raise the funding needed for their budget and grant funds will not be paid out until funding is secured, grant payments will not be disbursed until proof of additional financing has been secured.
- Grant Contribution: This grant should not exceed 50% of the overall project budget.
- Projects must have a viable plan to raise the funding needed for their budget and grants funds will not be paid out until funding is secured.
- Successful Grantees will be asked to agree to a grant spending and completion timeline in their grant agreement.
- Project Viability: Applicants must demonstrate the ability to complete and deliver a finished film by providing details in the application on the following criteria:
- Experience: Proven experience in film production or part of a previously credited filmmaking team. Applicants should demonstrate the experience to deliver a completed project by providing a sample or reel of past work.
- A script, synopsis, outline and/or pitch for the film must be submitted as part of the application.
- Detailed Budget and Timeline: A clear and detailed budget and production timeline must be provided, outlining the path to project completion.
- Financing: Where will the balance of your project’s financing come from and how much of it has already been secured?
- Interview Upon Request: Applicants should remain available to further explain submitted proposals to the Review Committee if requested.
- Milestone Reports: Filmmakers will be required to complete milestone requirement reports to demonstrate progress throughout the production process.
- Oregon-Based Production:
- Oregon Film Economy: Projects must contribute to Oregon’s film economy by supporting the work of Oregon filmmakers, crew and talent.
- Oregon based production expenses: 100% of Impact Grant awarded funds are to be spent on production related expenses in the state of Oregon.
- Oregon Connection: The subject matter and/or setting of the project must be connected to Oregon in some way, such as through its culture, history, people, and/or landscape.
- All applicants are encouraged but a special emphasis will be placed on filmmakers from the rural regions of Oregon and/or for BIPOC filmmakers (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color, including but not limited to Latino/a/e/x, Asian American and Pacific Islanders).
Grant Details
A call for applicants will open on June 23 2025. Applications will be scored based on the criteria stated below. The application will open for 5 weeks, and close on July 25th at 12:00 am PST. Applicants who meet eligibility requirements will advance to be reviewed by a panel made up of preselected industry professionals, past grant recipients, and Oregon Film Staff. Award recipients will be notified by End of September.
“Apply Here” link will not go “live” until June 23
Scoring will be based on:
- Quality of Project Proposal: The clarity, creativity, and coherence of the project summary or proposal, including the strength of the film concept, story, and artistic vision, and how well it communicates the film’s objectives and potential impact.
- Connection to Oregon: The degree to which Oregon is reflected in the project, whether through its setting, subject matter, or themes. Projects that highly emphasize elements of Oregon’s culture, landscape, history, or local communities will be favored.
- Feasibility of Budget and Production Plan: A demonstrated plan and details for completion of a successful finished project. Including details about the budget and production plan, and how effectively resources are allocated to meet the project’s needs.
- Secured Financing and Funding Strategy: The extent of secured financing and the clarity of the plan to secure any remaining funds. This includes the applicant’s ability to demonstrate financial viability, showing that the project is adequately funded or has a clear path to securing the rest of the financing. If awarded, grant funds should not be more than 50% of the overall project budget. Grant funds will not be paid until full funding for the submitted budget are confirmed as received.
- Support and inclusivity: Demonstrated support for historically underserved communities through storytelling and/or professional development.
- All applicants are encouraged but a special emphasis will be placed on filmmakers and stories from the rural regions of Oregon and/or for BIPOC filmmakers and stories (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color, including but not limited to Latino/a/e/x, Asian American and Pacific Islanders).
- Regional or Rural work is encouraged.
- Past Work and Experience: An assessment of the applicant’s experience, skills, and track record in filmmaking including evaluation of previous work, including credits, reels, and any other portfolio materials that showcase the ability to successfully complete the project.
- Production Timeline and Location: The feasibility of the proposed production timeline, including a demonstrated plan for all phases of the production.
- Audience Appeal: The compelling nature of the project and why audiences will be interested in watching it. This includes the film’s potential to engage, entertain, or provoke thought and its capacity to resonate with target audiences.
Funding
Oregon Film will allocate a total of $80,000 in grant awards, with feature film projects receiving a maximum $20,000 each. Lesser amounts may be awarded at the discretion of the review panel.Grant funds will not be paid until full funding for the submitted budget are confirmed as received.
Allowable Use of Funds
- Production costs for local Oregon writers, development, casting, production or further research or travel.
- Oregon based labor.
- Oregon studios, location & equipment rentals.
- Oregon food vendors for cast and crew members.
- Production supplies from local Oregon businesses.
Ineligible Use of Funds
- Production work and expenses that are not based in Oregon.
- Already completed work and/or reimbursement costs for expenses that already took place.
- Capital expenses i.e studio renovations, existing infrastructure expenditures, or regular/ongoing operating expenditures unrelated to the granted production.
- Funding may not be used for controlled substances.
General Terms and Conditions
The following conditions apply to all grant awards:
- Direct Financial Support:
Grantees will enter into an agreement with Oregon Film to receive a cash grant aimed at supporting a feature film production in Oregon. This agreement is intended to facilitate the implementation and completion of the film project within the state. - Timeline and Use of Funds:
Grantees must complete a projected timeline as part of their grant agreement for anticipated completion and use of funds. If an extension is needed, grantees must obtain written approval for any changes to the proposed completion date. Completion dates and timelines will be outlined in the contracting phase for successful Grantees. Grant funds will not be paid until full funding for the submitted budget are confirmed as received.
Reporting Requirements:
Grantees are required to adhere to the reporting obligations outlined in the grant agreement.
“Apply Here” link will not go “live” until June 23