First off, what is the Chicago Digital Media Production Fund?
The Chicago Digital Media Production Fund is a grant designed to support Chicago-based filmmakers and digital media artists whose work encourages social change.
OVERVIEW
The Chicago Digital Media Production Fund (CDMPF) seeks socially progressive video and media projects that are compelling, authentic, and impactful.
Local artists with varying levels of experience are welcome to apply, including both accomplished as well as emerging artists. All genres are eligible but the content must address current social justice issues and/or represent points of view of those who have been historically marginalized by mainstream media because of their sexual orientation, race, class, religion, ability, immigration, or other minority status. Projects by women, transgender and gender non-confirming people, and artists of color are especially encouraged.
Short-form and web series content is preferred, though feature length works will also be considered.
In 2022, award winners will receive up to $20,000 in cash grants for the production and/or post-production of their projects.
Additional benefits available to grantees this year include the option to work with a mentor provided by Chicago Filmmakers; access to Chicago Filmmakers’ facility for meetings, casting, rehearsals, or similar uses; opportunities for rough cut feedback screenings in our theater; and sponsorship of the Chicago premiere of your work.
Since 2012, Chicago Filmmakers has awarded a total of $937,000 to 84 Chicago-area artists through the CDMPF, made possible through the support of Voqal. Productions funded by the CDMPF have included award-winning web series, groundbreaking short documentaries, interactive media projects, and more.
This program is on hiatus for the time being. Please sign up for our e-newsletter to receive updates.
OUR PRODUCTIONS
Productions funded by the CDMPF have been viewed online for free by over a million viewers, have been screened at festivals such as Outfest, Newfest, San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival and museums such as the Brooklyn Art Museum, Smart Museum of Art, National Museum of Mexican Art, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, and online on platforms such as Tribeca Film.com and Open TV. Projects have been featured on more than 100 media outlets, among them Elle Magazine, Forbes, The Atlantic, Variety, IndieWire, Vice, Ebony, NBC News, ABC News, After Ellen, The Guardian, and Jet Magazine. Brown Girls, which is currently in development with HBO, was a nominee for the Emmy Award and the International Academy of Web Television Awards.
How to Apply
We are not accepting applications at this time.
Applicants must submit a project proposal online by the deadline. To start an application, create an account through Voqal or log in to an existing account then follow the instructions for submitting the required information listed below. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Application Checklist
Proof of Residency
Project Description
Exhibition Plan
Audience Engagement Strategy
Project Timeline
Project Budget (Narrative and Excel)
Screenplay or Treatment
Key Talent and Crew Bios
Samples of Media Works (URLs)
Helpful Tips
How can I make my project more likely to be funded? We're glad you asked!
Social Change. The CDMPF is designed to support projects that are mission-driven with the purpose of advancing social change. The ideal project will address a current social justice issue in a new way or from a fresh perspective that will create meaningful impact and dialogue.
Creativity. Artistic merit will count heavily toward final decisions. There should be a unique style, approach, or voice to the project that illuminates the subject in a special way. Traditional storytelling is good, but we’re also interested in projects that explore new or experimental forms of storytelling.
Education. Proposals may consider including a study guide, curriculum, or interactive educational element in the distribution section to help facilitate discussions and activate your audiences to take further action.
Please contact us at coop@chicagofilmmakers.org for questions about guidelines, grant requirements, or technical assistance with the online application.
Review and Evaluation Process
Proposals will be evaluated by an independent panel of media professionals. Projects will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
Content must address a timely social issue and seek to advance social change.
Proposed projects will be evaluated on creativity, content, and feasibility.
Applicants must outline a clear, detailed plan for distribution and audience engagement for the project.
Evidence of other support should be provided, either cash or in-kind.
Previous work must demonstrate high technical and artistic ability. Allowances will be made for youth applicants in order to support strong concepts/projects by young artists.
The completed proposal should demonstrate a cost effective budget and clear production plan/timeline.
Applicants applying with a non-profit fiscal sponsor organization will be evaluated based on the merits of the proposed artist and project, rather than on the associated non-profit.
Short-form and web series content is preferred, though feature length works will also be considered.
Applicants will be notified with final decisions.
Guidelines & Eligibility
Applicants may apply individually or with a non-profit fiscal sponsor organization. A fiscal sponsor organization must agree to accept funds on behalf of the applicant and will be responsible for redistributing funds to the project accordingly.
Individual applicants must reside in Cook County.
Associated fiscal sponsor organizations must be located in Cook County.
Applicant must be the project director, producer, or developer with creative control.
Production and/or post-production must take place in Chicago.
Project must be independent of commercial objectives (no advertising, promotional, industrial, or contract work - even for non-profit organizations).
*Project must be in or starting the production phase as funds may only be used to cover production or post-production costs; not pre-production.
All digital video genres (narrative, documentary, animation, experimental, webisodes, etc.) and digital media projects (apps, games, etc.) are eligible to apply.
*Projects must account for captioning and should also consider similar costs (e.g. audio description) for increased accessibility in the proposed budget.
Updates to the grant guidelines and eligibility for 2022 are marked with an asterisk (*).
Award Requirements
Projects will be awarded between $1,500 – $20,000 based on the amount requested, project budget, scope of the project, and merits of the proposed project.
Grant monies will be distributed once production has commenced in increments based on met project objectives and expense reporting.
All rights to the project will belong to the applicant.
Appropriate recognition of Chicago Filmmakers must be acknowledged in the project credits and will be determined by the level of support provided.
*Awarded projects must be completed within 1 year of the date of the grant award.
*Projects must include open or closed captioning for increased accessibility.
*Grantees who choose to work with an industry mentor are expected to meet with them on a routine basis.
*Grantees are expected to report on project progress, activities, and viewership once completed.
*Chicago Filmmakers will host or co-host the Chicago premiere screening of the project once completed.
Updates to the award requirements for 2022 are marked with an asterisk (*).
For answers to common questions about the guidelines and recommendations for applicants, take a look at the FAQS here.
Download our Budget Template to use as a reference. Project evaluation panelists will be looking for detail that breaks down the expenditure of funds needed to complete the project.