AIFIS-Luce Documentary Filmmaker Grants

Applications for this award are currently closed.

Call for Applications

The American Institute for Indonesian Studies (AIFIS) invites applications for a new initiative designed to broaden the impact of scholarship on Indonesia and the Indonesian diaspora in the United States by including documentary film as an important media of critical inquiry and knowledge dissemination. The AIFIS-Luce Documentary Filmmaker Grants will support filmmakers working on topics related to Indonesia and/or the Indonesian diaspora in America. Supported by a responsive Grant from the Henry Luce Foundation, filmmaker grants will range from $2000 - $4000 each, and are open to filmmakers working on projects at any phase of the filmmaking process (pre-production, production, post-production, outreach and dissemination grants). These grants are designed to support collaboration beyond traditional fields of scholarship and serve as a bridge between Indonesian Studies and communities of Indonesian diaspora in the U.S. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries and perspectives, while ensuring that their films resonate with audiences on a global scale. We embrace projects that engage both Indonesian and American filmmakers working on topics related to Indonesia and/or the Indonesian diaspora in America. Preference will be given to projects that foreground collaboration between U.S. and Indonesian participants as well as that produce open-source content for public dissemination and/or curriculum development.

The program application period begins November 1, 2023, and the deadline for application submissions will end on February 29, 2024.

    • Broaden popular awareness of Indonesia and/or the Indonesian diaspora for American audiences

    • Strengthen research on Indonesia and the field of Indonesian Studies

    • Strengthen connections between scholars of Indonesia and communities of the Indonesian diaspora living in the U.S.

    • Increase cooperation and collaboration among individuals, organizations, and institutions that promote exchange between the U.S. and Indonesia.

  • $2000 - $4000 for projects at any phase of the filmmaking process. Applicants must indicate the amount and specific use of grant funds. See application guidelines below for more information.

    • Pre-Production Grants will provide support for films that are in an early phase of development, and place greater emphasis on the conceptual approach to filmmaking efforts and research plans that will lead towards future documentary productions.

    • Production Grants will provide support for technical aspects of the filmmaking process, including but not limited to equipment and labor costs in the filmmaking process.

    • Post-Production Grants are available to support the editing process, including but not limited to software and labor costs.

    • Outreach and Dissemination Grants will provide support for fully finished films in order to assist in their dissemination and circulation for wider American audiences. This may include but is not limited to supporting community screening events or the cost of submissions and travel to film festivals or conferences in which the films will be screened.

  • Open Application: November 1, 2023

    Application Info Session: January 15, 2023

    Deadline for Application Submissions: February 29, 2024

    Notification of Award Decisions: May 2024

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

A complete application consists of: 

  1. Completed AIFIS-Luce Documentary Filmmaker Grants Application Form submitted online through the CAORC & ORC Grant Application Portal (SMApply), together with the following documents: 

  2. Grant Proposal Narrative, Budget, and Timeline

    a. Proposal Narrative: in 1500 words or less provide a narrative description of the documentary film project for which you are applying for this grant. Explain the storyline and creative direction of the film, who the primary viewing audience will be and how you plan to reach that audience, as well as the ways in which this film shows innovation in exploring themes related to Indonesia and/or the Indonesian diaspora. Indicate what phase of production you are applying for grant funding, and what the grant funding will be used for. Additionally you may include information related to:

    • Team Presentation: short paragraph for each of your key team members (max 150 words per person). Indicate their functional responsibilities on the film by highlighting their expertise and roles in the successful execution of the documentary.

    • Work Samples: links to your most relevant previous productions that demonstrate your filmmaking capabilities. 

    b. Budget: Include a brief budget breakdown of expenses for which you are requesting funding. Please also include note of any matching funds that will be used in conjunction with the AIFIS-Luce grant.

    c. Timeline: Include a projected timeline for spending grant funds. 

  3. Curriculum Vitae for the project leader, 3-pages maximum.

NOTE: The Proposal Narrative, Timeline, Budget, and CV must be uploaded as part of your application on the CAORC & ORC Grant Application Portal. Documents in .doc/.docx or pdf  format are preferred. Budgets may also be submitted in excel format.

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