Grant Announcement
The Bureau has restructured the way in which grants are provided to filmmakers. Going forward, filmmakers with short film work in the Bureau library are automatically eligible to receive production funds for original works when a grant is made available.
If you would like to submit your work for consideration, you can do so here.
Our goals are simple, discover and support talented filmmakers, and spark a conversation around the importance of short films.
Grant Overview
Selected filmmakers receive a one-time budget to produce an original short film.
This money is not meant to go towards existing projects that already have financial momentum, i.e The BUREAU is not a finishing fund — this is meant to be a fun, quick, exciting endeavor - an excuse to pull friends together, get out the camera equipment, and make something beautiful. In the process, we will be shifting audiences’ value-perception of short films and the people who make them.
Those selected join a diverse team of award-winning independent filmmakers, collectively elevating each other's work and contributing to the future of truly independent film.
WHAT COMES NEXT
If selected, we will contact you and discuss your idea, start a timeline for deliverables, and wrap up. That’s it. We don’t green light your ideas, we don’t “give notes”, we don’t meddle in your creative process. We’re supporting you as a talented filmmaker, and really we just want to see what you’ll do next.
PLEASE NOTE
The application process takes about 15-30 minutes. Submissions can be saved and re-edited at a later time (submission drafts are saved for around 20 days).
Unfortunately, due to the amount of submissions, we cannot provide individual feedback.
You will be contacted within 4-6 weeks after the submission window closes.
If, after reading the overview above, you still have questions, please contact: theteam@bureauofcreative.works
Eligibility
You must have past work establishing your story-telling style and abilities.
You must be comfortable creating something beautiful on a shoestring budget.
Your short film cannot yet be in production. We welcome full scripts or simple ideas, but this is not a finishing grant. See FAQs below.
We do not support music videos.
International projects are encouraged, but all final projects must be subtitled (captioned) and suitable for an American audience.
Student films not eligible. Dropouts welcome.
Submitted projects must be short-film length, narrative or documentary, with an intended runtime of at least 3 minutes and no longer than 30 min.
Applicants must be over 18 years old.
Sponsor a Grant
Over $20,000 in film grants have been provided to filmmakers. If you would like to sponsor a Bureau grant, here is how you can do so:
You must sponsor the full amount ($1,000).
Either The Bureau can select a filmmaker on your behalf, or share selected film submissions with you. To protect the privacy of the filmmakers we only share selected films after receiving your sponsorship.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHO CAN SUBMIT?
Anyone over 18 with a demonstrable background in filmmaking. Please see eligibility for more information.
WHEN CAN I EXPECT TO HEAR BACK FROM THE BUREAU?
Please allow 4-6 weeks after submissions close for us to get back to you.
IF I AM SELECTED, WHO OWNS MY FILM.
You do (full stop).
WILL I BE ABLE TO SUBMIT MY SHORT FILM TO FESTIVALS?
Yes, please do! We strongly encourage submitting your short film to festivals.
HOW IS THE AMOUNT OF THE GRANT DETERMINED?
The grant will be no less than $1,500 and no greater than $3,000, and is dependent on subscriber-base. In other words, we are building a subscriber base that will become the audience for your film. It is this audience that is directly supporting indie filmmakers and the creation of this short film collective.