National fund Germany, Berlin
Run by FFA, Filmförderungsanstalt (German Federal Film Board)
New under the 2025 film law: when a German feature scores reference points, its writer and director get their own pot to spend on the next script, from a first idea to a finished screenplay or pre-production work. No jury, no producer needed; you apply for the use of money already earned.
Grant up to €45,000Open to writers in GermanyA writer alone
Applications taken any time
That closing date has passed. We check the funder's page every day and add the next dates once they are published.
Applications are taken at any time; decisions follow in the fund's own rhythm. Apply through the FFA service portal before the work starts; the money must be drawn within three years of the award notice.
FFA, Filmförderungsanstalt (German Federal Film Board)
Federal production grants for culturally ambitious fiction, documentary, children's and animated features, decided by a jury rather than by reference points.
FFA, Filmförderungsanstalt (German Federal Film Board)
Development money for the stage after the script: rights, further drafts, casting, budgeting. A production company applies, except in documentary, where writers and directors may come alone.
FFA, Filmförderungsanstalt (German Federal Film Board), running the federal jury-based cultural film funding since 2025
The federal screenplay grant that writers apply for alone, since the 2025 film law moved the BKM's cultural funding into the FFA.
Kuratorium junger deutscher Film (foundation for young German film)
Germany's talent fund pays a writer up to EUR 25,000 to develop an original idea from research to script over ten months, with a dramaturg attached.
Artist Trust
Two Washington artists a year receive USD 25,000 for pushing at the edges of their field, with no project report attached.
Illinois Arts Council
Illinois pays working artists USD 10,000 by lottery rather than by jury: show an active practice with two work samples and the state lottery draws the winners region by region.
Artist Trust
Washington State's merit award for working artists: USD 10,000 with no strings, judged on the body of work rather than a project.
Artist Trust
Small, fast and plentiful: 65 Washington artists a year receive USD 2,500 toward a specific project, from research travel to a first draft.