CFA × IMGN Grant Application

Welcome to the CFA × IMGN Grant CFA Institute, in partnership with IMGN, is awarding one filmmaker $4,500 to support an independent narrative project in 2026.

The centerpiece of this application is a production book built on IMGN — a script breakdown, schedule, coverage, and pre-visualization for your project. Your production book is how we'll get to know your work. You will have access to tutorials in this application.

Applications are open to U.S.-based filmmakers (50 states + DC), 18 and older.
The application is free to submit.

If your project is completed before funds are disbursed, you'll receive the $4,500 as a reimbursement upon submission of a final cut of the film.

Winner announced and funds disbursed by end of January 2027.

We've partnered with our sponsor IMGN to power the production-book portion of this application. IMGN is a production workflow platform built for filmmakers, a suggestive assistant that handles pre-production work (script breakdowns, scheduling, character and set design, storyboards, image-to-video pre-visualization) so you can focus on the creative side. Free to use, and tutorials are built into the platform. Your work stays your work.

Access tutorials here: https://imgn.ai/#tutorials

As you create your production book on IMGN, you retain full ownership of your scripts, breakdowns, designs, and other materials.

What you'll build:

As part of your application, you'll create a production book on IMGN that gives us a complete picture of your project: who's in it, what it looks like, how it's structured, and how you plan to bring it to life.

Steps: 1. Sign up at app.imgn.co

2. Watch the tutorials here (if needed): https://imgn.ai/#tutorials

3. Build your production book. It must include:
- Script Breakdown (Characters (Main, Day, Extras), Logline, Synopsis, Departments (Props & Wardrobe))
- Scheduling
- Script Coverage
- PreViz: minimum 2 Character Designs, minimum 2 Set Designs, minimum 2 Scene Storyboards, 1 Image-to-Video clip

4. Export your production book as PDF and upload it below. This will be attached to your application for our panelists to review.

If you have ANY issues or questions with building your production book, email Yaron (who works at IMGN!) at yaron@imgn.co.

REVIEW THIS PRIOR TO COMPLETING YOUR PRODUCTION BOOK (CLICK HERE)

Please review and confirm the following before submitting.

CFA × IMGN GRANT — TERMS OF APPLICATION
By submitting an application, you agree to the following terms.
1. Sponsor & Administrator. The Grant is administered by Cinematography for Actors Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ('CFA Institute'), in partnership with IMGN Software, Inc. ('IMGN').
2. Eligibility. Applicants must be (a) at least 18 years old, (b) legal residents of the United States (50 states + Washington, D.C.), and (c) the original creator(s) of the project, with rights or control over any underlying material. Music videos and experimental films are not eligible.
3. Submission Window. Applications are accepted through December 31, 2026. The winner will be announced and funds disbursed by January 31, 2027.
4. Application Fee. The Grant application is free. If the applicant elects to also apply to CFA's Fiscal Sponsorship Program, separate fees apply ($15 standard / $45 expedited).
5. Prize. One (1) winner will receive a one-time award of $4,500 USD, issued by check or ACH following submission of IRS Form W-9. Prizes are reportable to the IRS; the recipient is responsible for all federal, state, and local taxes.
6. Reimbursement Option. If the winner's project is completed before grant funds are disbursed, the $4,500 will be issued as a reimbursement upon submission of a final cut of the film.
7. Selection. Winners are selected at the sole discretion of CFA Institute's selection committee. Decisions are final.
8. Ownership of Submitted Materials. Applicants retain full ownership of all intellectual property in their submissions. By submitting, you grant CFA Institute and IMGN a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use your name, project title, logline, and submitted work samples for purposes of promoting the Grant program.
9. IMGN Account & Data Use. As part of the application, you'll create a free IMGN account and build a production book on the platform. Your IMGN account email will be shared with IMGN for the sole purpose of tracking grant activations under CFA's partnership with IMGN. IMGN's full Terms and Privacy Policy apply to your use of the platform.
10. Fiscal Sponsorship Program. Acceptance into the Fiscal Sponsorship Program is a separate determination from the Grant award and is governed by a separate grantor/grantee agreement. The discounted application fee is available only when applying via this Grant application.
11. Photo & Likeness Release. If selected as a winner, you grant CFA Institute permission to use your name, image, likeness, project title, and submitted work samples in promotional materials related to the Grant program in perpetuity.
12. Disqualification. CFA Institute reserves the right to disqualify any application that contains false or misleading information, infringes third-party rights, fails to meet eligibility requirements, or otherwise violates these Terms.
13. No Purchase Necessary; Skill-Based Award. This is a skill-based grant judged on artistic merit. No purchase is required to apply. The optional Fiscal Sponsorship application fee is a separate program fee.
14. Modification & Cancellation. CFA Institute reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the Grant program with reasonable notice where possible.
15. Privacy. Information submitted is handled in accordance with CFA Institute's privacy practices and used for application review, partnership reporting, and CFA's communications.
16. Governing Law. These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California. 17. Contact. Questions: contact@cinematographyforactors.com.