UCLA Film & Television Emerging Filmmakers Scholarship Application

UCLA Film & Television Emerging Filmmakers Scholarship Application
UCLA Film & Television Emerging Filmmakers Scholarships are a need and merit-based scholarship opportunity for underserved / underrepresented high school students enrolled in grades 9 – 12, who would benefit from an Emerging Filmmakers experience. A limited number of partial and full scholarships are available for those participating in the following Emerging Filmmakers tracks: Digital Filmmaking, Cinematography, TV Writing (Pre-College), and Media Parks.

Scholarships will be awarded based on academic ability and financial need. Awards vary but will not exceed the total program fee for a single track. Awards do not cover travel expenses and may exclude non-program-related accommodations, supply lists, and other course materials.

If selected, scholarship recipients must submit a thank-you note, photos, and short video highlighting their program experience.

Please review the eligibility and application requirements below before applying.

IMPORTANT DATES
• February 15: Scholarship Applications open.
• March 15 at 11:59PM PT: Scholarship Applications close.
• April 8: Award announcements are emailed by 5PM.
• Award Acceptance: Students who have been awarded support must confirm acceptance by replying to the award announcement email within one week.

ELIGIBILITY
To apply for the UCLA Film & Television Emerging Filmmakers Scholarship, you must meet ALL the following minimum eligibility criteria:
• You will be attending a U.S. high school in grades 9 – 12 in Spring 2026;
• You have a permanent address within the United States and your parent/guardian can provide U.S. tax documentation for proof of income;
• You have not received any UCLA Summer Sessions Support or Scholarship in the past;
• You have a family annual adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less;
• You are at least 14 years old by the start of the program;
• You have submitted a Summer 2026 application to one of the following Emerging Filmmakers tracks: Digital Filmmaking, Cinematography, TV Writing (Pre-College), or Media Parks.

If you do not meet all of the criteria listed above, please do not proceed with the application.
BEFORE APPLYING FOR A SCHOLARSHIP

Apply for an eligible UCLA Film & Television Emerging Filmmakers track. (There is a non-refundable $35 application fee to apply to an Emerging Filmmakers track. This fee will not be refunded if the student is not awarded a scholarship.)

If you have not done so, please close this application and apply before proceeding.
What track have you applied for?*

Digital FilmmakingCinematographyMedia ParksPre-College TV Writing (On Campus)Pre-College TV Writing (Virtual)
PREPARE THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

You must have the following information and documents ready before starting this application:
1. An unofficial copy of your most recent high school transcript showing all grades from 9th to present and a cumulative GPA. For students currently in 9th grade, please provide at least 2 years of study (7th, 8th, and fall semester of 9th);
2. A copy of page 1-2 of your parent(s) or guardian(s) 2024 Federal Income Tax Form (1040). Please blackout all social security numbers and/or driver’s license numbers;
3. A copy of your parent(s) or guardian(s) 2024 W2(s) (if they are eligible for the W2 form). Please blackout all social security numbers and/or driver’s license numbers;
4. A student resume (see below); and
5. Your personal statement (see below)
6. Optional: you can include a link to a reel, short film, or sample of your work. Work should not exceed 10 minutes.
STUDENT RESUME

The student resume should be a Word document or PDF that has a bulleted list of work experience, extracurricular activities or clubs, volunteering, or similar pursuits. These should highlight your interest in creative fields related to filmmaking or demonstrate your engagement, initiative, and work ethic within your school or community. This does not need to be a detailed document. We wish to gain a concise picture of your non-academic pursuits.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Applicants must answer two essay prompts. Please select 2 out of the 5 questions to answer. Each answer should be between 250 – 300 words. In a Word or PDF document, please put your name at the top, list the question you are answering, and then your written submission.
1. Why is filmmaking a passion for you?
2. How do you hope to incorporate filmmaking/storytelling into your academic or career goals after the program?
3. Describe how a specific film or TV show has influenced you as a storyteller and filmmaker.
4. Tell us about a time you were challenged to do something out of your comfort zone. How did you face this challenge and what lesson(s) did you take away from the experience?
5. If you were a character in a film about your life, what would the opening scene be?
If you have applied for an eligible UCLA Film & Television Emerging Filmmakers track and have prepared the Scholarship application materials, please proceed to the next page to prepare the application.

UCLA Film & Television Emerging Filmmakers Scholarship Application

Page Two
PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CLOSELY:

All applications must be submitted by March 15, 2026 at 11:59PM PT.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide a complete and accurate application. Incomplete applications or applications with incorrect documents will not be considered. You will not be notified if your application is incomplete or incorrect. Please email summer@tft.ucla.edu if you believe you have an error in your application after submitting.

Non-refundable Fees: There is a $35 non-refundable fee to apply to UCLA Film & Television Emerging Filmmakers tracks.

If you are accepted into your UCLA Film & Television Emerging Filmmakers track, there is a $350 non-refundable fee to register for a program to secure your spot. This fee will not be refunded if you are not given a scholarship. You may wait to pay this registration fee until after your scholarship decision.

By proceeding with an application, you are confirming you have read and understood these policies.
Application

Required Questions are denoted with *
Student Legal Name*

First NameMiddle NameLast Name
Student Preferred Name
Student Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear
Date
Home Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState

Zip Code
Email (Scholarship award information will be sent to this email address):*

Confirmation Emailexample@example.com
Primary Phone Number*
Alternative Phone Number (Optional)
Academic Background
Name of U.S. High School You Currently Attend*
Address of High School*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState

Zip Code
What will be your class status in Spring 2026?*

FreshmanSophomoreJuniorSenior
Parent / Guardian Information - Parent / Guardian 1
Full Legal Name*

First NameMiddle NameLast Name
Relationship to Student*
If you answered "Other" for Relationship to Student, Please Specify:
Occupation (If unemployed, please enter unemployed)*
Highest Education Level *
If you answered "Other" for Highest Education Level, Please Specify:
Parent/Guardian 1 Phone Number*
Email:*

Confirmation Emailexample@example.com
Parent / Guardian Information - Parent / Guardian 2
Full Legal Name

First NameMiddle NameLast Name
Relationship to Student
If you answered "Other" for Relationship to Student, Please Specify:
Occupation (If unemployed, please enter unemployed)
Highest Education Level
If you answered "Other" for Highest Education Level, Please Specify:
Parent/Guardian 2 Phone Number
Email:

Confirmation Emailexample@example.com
Income Information
This is a need-based scholarship. The income information provided here and in your tax documents will be used to determine financial need. Please note that we may ask for additional documentation if needed to verify financial eligibility.

Providing false or incorrect information to UCLA in connection with this application is grounds for immediate disqualification for scholarship consideration and cancellation of the student's registration.
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) adjusted 2024 Gross Income*
From 2024 Tax Documents, line 11 on Form 1040
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) current 2025 Estimated Adjusted Gross Income:*
If 2025 AGI is estimated to be lower than the 2024 AGI, please give an explanation why (i.e. career change, loss of job, temporary leave without pay, etc.):

0/500
Number of Dependents:*
Number of siblings who are currently full-time college students:*
Other Information - Beyond what has already been shared in your application, is there any additional information or circumstances you feel would be important for the scholarship committee to be aware of (e.g., financial constraints, personal hardships, roadblocks to academic success, etc.)? (500 word maximum)

0/500
By submitting my application, I acknowledge that I have reviewed and fully understand all criteria, procedures, and policies set forth on the UCLA Film & Television Emerging Filmmakers Scholarship page. Furthermore, I certify that the information I have provided in my application for the UCLA Film & Television Emerging Filmmakers Scholarship is true and correct. Providing false or incorrect information to the University is grounds for exclusion from consideration for the scholarship and immediate cancellation of Summer Sessions registration.
Signature*
Please click to the next page to upload your application documents.

UCLA Film & Television Emerging Filmmakers Scholarship Application

UCLA Film & Television Emerging Filmmakers Scholarship Application

Application

Academic Background

Parent / Guardian Information - Parent / Guardian 1

Parent / Guardian Information - Parent / Guardian 2

Income Information

Supplemental Documents

Student Statistical Questions