AFI DOCS Impact Lab Grant Application

Welcome to our online application!

Created in partnership with Picture Motion and in collaboration with NBCUniversal, the AFI DOCS Impact Lab is a two-day intensive program designed for filmmakers with issue-driven films who aim to create broader social and political change.

The intent of the AFI DOCS / NBCUniversal Impact Grants is to leverage the power of story and film to catalyze change. By funding the outreach and social action campaigns of select filmmakers who participate in the AFI DOCS Impact Lab, the grants will empower filmmakers to exponentially increase their impact and effect lasting change.

The main criterion for awarding grants is the likelihood for impact. Preference will be given to projects that:

Have a detailed plan in place for the film’s outreach and social action campaign that reflects key learnings from participation in the AFI DOCS Impact Lab;
Can clearly articulate an understanding of their intended audience and key partners needed for the film’s outreach and social action campaign;
Have a realistic and achievable distribution and marketing plan for reaching both audiences and key partners;
Can demonstrate the ability to secure the funding required to execute a successful outreach and social action campaign.

The deadline for submitting the application is Friday, September 2, 2016, at midnight PT, and grantees will be announced by the end of September.

If you have any questions about completing the application please contact Michael Lumpkin at MLumpkin@AFI.com.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address*

Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number

Film Title*

Requested Grant Amount (anticipated grant amounts range from $10,000 to $40,000)*

Synopsis (Approximately 1-2 pages) Give an overview of your story, including the main characters and critical plot points. Describe the story structure and narrative trajectory.

Upload synopsis here*

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Topic Summary (Approximately 1-2 pages) Why is this topic important, timely or relevant? Why are you the best person to make a film about this? Explain the cultural or social relevance and context for the topic, detailing the issues, themes, challenges, stakes or questions that your project covers.

Upload topic summary here*

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Distribution and Marketing Strategy (1 paragraph) Characterize the intended distribution life for your film. Specify plans for festival, theatrical and/or community screenings, as well as plans for broadcast and online release. Please let us know if you have secured any distribution or broadcast agreements or if you are currently in discussions with any distributors or broadcasters.

Enter distribution and marketing strategy paragraph here (2,000 character limit)*

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PR and Communications Strategy (1 paragraph) Give us a summary of press coverage your film has received to date and your plans and strategy for press coverage in the coming year. Please include who are, or will be, the spokespeople or voices for the film (e.g. director, subjects, issue experts). You may provide this information in the paragraph area below or by uploading a document or spreadsheet, also below, or both.

Enter PR and communications strategy paragraph here (2,000 character limit)

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Intended Audience (1 paragraph) Describe the anticipated audience for your project. How do you plan to reach your target audience? How have you addressed the needs and interests of this audience in your film? What is your relationship and access to this community? What influencers attended your film’s screening(s) at AFI DOCS? What influencers have attended screenings of your film other than at AFI DOCS?

Enter intended audience paragraph here (2,000 character limit)*

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Audience Engagement and Social Impact (1 page) What actions do you hope for viewers to take after seeing your film? Do you have partnerships with organizations in your issue area, and if so, how are these relationships informing your impact campaign? Please list current national partners with a brief description (1 to 2 sentences) of the nature of the partnership.

Upload audience engagement and social impact page here *

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Outcome Map Please download and complete the Fledgling Fund Outcome Map

Upload completed outcome map here*

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Key Personnel Provide brief biographies for key personnel for the impact campaign and distribution phase of your release. Bullet list names and titles of any attached advisors and/or consultants. (50-150 words for each bio)

Upload key personnel document here*

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Impact Campaign Fundraising Strategy (1 paragraph and list) Describe the strategy for raising the additional funds necessary to complete your impact campaign. Include all sources and amounts raised to date. Clearly distinguish between potential sources of funding and secured amounts. List the status of other sources of funding currently under consideration, whether to be applied for or pending. See example below.

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GRANT IMPACT (1 paragraph) Should you receive a grant, describe how any granted funds would be spent and how the amount requested would help you move forward with your impact campaign.

Enter grant impact paragraph here*

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Comprehensive Line Item Expense Budget for Impact Campaign Please provide a breakdown of all expenses for your impact campaign.

Upload campaign expense budget document here*

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