Purpose and Overview
The Oregon Film Impact Grants are designed to support filmmakers and projects that have the potential to make a positive and lasting impact on Oregon’s film industry. These grants are intended to help grow the state’s film scene, provide opportunities for local talent and crew, and bring people together through storytelling that celebrates Oregon’s unique culture, history, and landscape. Oregon Film is excited to support film projects that are closely tied to Oregon, both in the stories they tell and how they’re created, strengthening the state’s film ecosystem.
Grant recipients will be selected based on their ability to create a lasting impact on Oregon’s film industry, including job creation and audience engagement, while also advancing the careers of filmmakers and cultivating diverse storytelling. Projects must demonstrate a reasonable path to completion, with clear planning, financial viability, and the potential to make a meaningful contribution to Oregon’s film industry. This grant encourages a diverse range of perspectives, with an emphasis on elevating underrepresented voices in the filmmaking community.
There will be TWO PHASES for these grants. The first will be grants for SHORT FILMS (under 40 minutes running time). This will be followed by a separate grant submission period for FEATURE LENGTH FILMS (more on the Feature Grant cycle is still to be announced).
The Short Film Grant details are below:
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Short Film Grant
Oregon Film is excited to announce the Short 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.
Oregon Film will allocate a total of $30,000 in grant awards, with short film projects receiving a maximum of $7,500 each. Lesser amounts may be awarded at the discretion of the review panel.
The Purpose of This Funding
Proposed projects should align with the following goals:
- Support Oregon’s Film Industry: Help grow Oregon’s film economy by creating jobs, supporting local talent and crew, and strengthening the filmmaking community.
- Focus on Oregon-Based Projects: Projects must be deeply connected to Oregon’s culture, history, or landscape, both in story and production.
- Path to Completion: Projects should have a clear plan, solid financial support, and a feasible path to completion.
- Encourage Community Building: Support diverse, inclusive productions that elevate underrepresented voices and encourage diverse hiring. Regional and rural talent and stories are highly encouraged.
Grant Amounts & Timeline
For these Short Film grants, Oregon Film will allocate a total of $30,000 in grant awards, with short film projects receiving a maximum of $7,500 each. Lesser amounts may be awarded at the discretion of the review panel.Two thirds of the total funds will be awarded to submissions that are received by the Early Bird Deadline. The remaining funds will be distributed to any remaining applicants who apply by the Final Deadline.
Key Dates
Application Opens: April 16, 2025
Grant Q&A: April 23, 2025 Online (ADD EVENT LINK)
Early Bird Deadline: May 9, 2025 Midnight PDT (two thirds of total funding will be distributed to early bird submissions)
Final Deadline: Applications close on May 23, 2025 by Midnight PDT
Award Notification: By the end of June, 2025
This grant program strongly encourages applications from productions that support career growth and storytelling for communities in Oregon that have been historically underserved. This includes individuals who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color, including Latino/a/e/x, Asian American, and Pacific Islanders), those who speak English as a second language, people with disabilities, youth, women, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, people on the gender spectrum, and those facing challenges such as homelessness, poverty, or experiences with 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.
You can review a PDF of the application questions here but please use the “Apply Here” button below to officially submit your application.
Please review the FAQs posted below, but feel free to reach out to us on shoot@oregonfilm.org with further questions.
Eligibility Requirements
Short Film Criteria
- The project must be a short film (40 minutes or less).
- Films should be in development or pre-production and partially financed.
- All types of short films will be considered (narrative, documentary, animation, experimental, silent, etc.).
Funding and Financial Requirements
- Proof of Additional Funding: Applicants must show proof of other funding sources before grant payment is made.
- Grant Contribution: This grant cannot cover more than 50% of the total project budget.
- Grant Agreement: Grantees must agree to a spending plan and completion timeline.
Project Viability
- Experience: Applicants should have proven film production experience or be part of a previous credited filmmaking team. A sample or reel of past work should be included.
- Script/Pitch: A script, synopsis, or pitch must be submitted with the application.
- Budget and Timeline: Provide a detailed budget and production timeline outlining how the project will be completed.
- Financing: Applicants must specify where the remaining project funding will come from and how much has been secured.
- Interview: Applicants should remain available for an interview to provide additional information if requested by the Review Committee.
- Milestone Reports: Filmmakers must submit progress reports during production.
Oregon-Based Production
- Location: The majority of production and post-production must take place in Oregon.
- Oregon Residency: Applicants must have lived in Oregon for at least one year at the time of application.
- Oregon Expenses: All awarded grant funds must be spent on production-related expenses in Oregon.
- Oregon Connection: The project must be connected to Oregon’s culture, history, people, or landscape.
- Encouraged Applicants: Special consideration will be given to filmmakers from rural Oregon and/or productions that support career development for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color, including Latino/a/e/x, Asian American, and Pacific Islanders) filmmakers, talent and crew.
Scoring Criteria
- Project Proposal: How clear, creative, and well-organized the project is, including the film’s concept, story, artistic vision, and potential impact.
- Connection to Oregon: How strongly the project reflects Oregon, whether through its setting, themes, or story. Projects that have a strong emphasis on Oregon’s landscape, history, and/or communities will be prioritized.
- Economic Growth and Impact: What is the potential impact on the state’s film economy through job creation and production services in Oregon? Does the project have the potential to draw visitors and have a lasting impact on the career of the filmmaker(s)?
- Budget and Production Plan: How realistic and detailed the budget and production plan are, and how effectively resources will be used to complete the project.
- Secured Financing: The amount of funding already secured and the plan to obtain the rest. Grant funds should not exceed 50% of the total budget.
- Support and Inclusivity: How the project supports underserved communities through storytelling or professional development. Special emphasis will be placed on applications that support productions in rural Oregon and/or BIPOC filmmakers (Black, Indigenous, People of Color, including Latino/a/e/x, Asian American, and Pacific Islanders).
- Past Work and Experience: The applicant’s experience and track record in filmmaking, including any relevant portfolio materials (credits, reels, etc.).
- Production Timeline and Location: The feasibility of the production timeline and how well the applicant plans for all stages of the project.
- Audience Appeal: How compelling and engaging the project will be for its intended audience, and its potential to entertain, educate, or provoke thought.
The application will be open for 5 weeks. Applicants who meet eligibility requirements will be reviewed by a panel of industry professionals, past grant recipients, and Oregon Film staff.
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 short 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. - Reporting Requirements:
Grantees are required to adhere to the reporting obligations outlined in the grant agreement.
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Short Film FAQ
How do I know if my project is eligible?
Before you begin your application submission, you will be asked a few short eligibility requirement questions to determine if your project meets all the criteria.
Who Should Apply?
Applicants should be individuals, teams, or companies responsible for producing and completing the project, such as directors, producers, writers, and their production companies (if applicable). The individuals named in the grant will be responsible for signing the Grant Agreement, managing grant funds, and meeting the contract’s terms and expectations.
How will productions be scored and chosen?
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 and Oregon Made Creative Foundation Board & Staff. Award recipients and denials will be emailed to applicants by June 2nd, 2025.
What qualifies as “Secured Financing”?
- Grants that have been confirmed and awarded (even if not fully contracted or paid yet).
- Committed equity financing from third-party sources.
- Crowdsourced financing.
- Personal financing.
Note: Grants that have been applied for but not yet awarded do not qualify as “secured financing.”
What is a “Funding Strategy”?
- Detailed crowdfunding campaigns, including launch timelines.
- Potential grant sources, including eligibility requirements and application timelines.
- Other equity sources.
What does “feasibility of budget and production plan” mean?
Does the amount of funding you’re raising align with the proposed budget, and is the budget sufficient to fully complete the project you’re applying for?
What qualifies as “Audience Appeal”?
This is a broad question, as short films serve various purposes, such as career development, showcasing a feature project, experimentation, social advocacy, or reaching a wide audience. The review committee will consider these aspects along with other criteria. In your application, please describe the intended audience and what you hope to achieve as a filmmaker.
If I have received a previous grant award from Oregon Film, can I still apply?
Yes, we encourage you to apply!
How much money will be distributed?
Oregon Film will allocate a total of $30,000 in short film grants with awarded projects each receiving a maximum $7,500 each. Lesser amounts may be awarded at the discretion of the review panel.
What are the benefits of submitting by the Early Bird Deadline?
The Early Bird Deadline for the Short Film Grant is April 20th, 2025 at midnight PT. Submissions received by this deadline will be reviewed first by the review panel and be eligible to receive grants from a two thirds allocation of the total funding.
What happens next if I am selected for funding?
Award recipients will be notified by June 2nd, 2025.
- Direct Financial Support:
Grantees will enter into an agreement with Oregon Film to receive a cash grant aimed at supporting a short film production in Oregon. This agreement is intended to facilitate the implementation and completion of the film project within the state and will include a “cash flow” schedule tied to other funding sources. - 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 monies will be paid in conjunction with and in consideration of other funding sources. - Reporting Requirements:
Grantees are required to adhere to the reporting obligations outlined in the grant agreement.