The Austin Film Society (AFS) was founded by acclaimed Texas-raised director Richard Linklater in 1996. Since then, AFS has awarded over $1.5 million in grant money for film projects in categories such as feature narratives, shorts, and feature documentaries. The 2016 grant application period has just begun! And this year Colaborator is offering an additional special grant for short films!*

The application process is currently open to all Texas Residents who have resided in the state for a year.

APPLY FOR ALL AFS GRANTS HERE

The one exception is the AFS Travel Grant, for filmmakers who need to travel the country in support of a film doing the festival circuit. That application is here.

The submission period for all AFS Grants ends at 11:59pm CDT on June 2nd, 2016. 

If at any point filmmakers need assistance with the grant process, there are several Workshop periods still to come.

*Details on the Colaborator Narrative Short Film Grant, which can be applied for using the above link, are as follows:

The Colaborator Narrative Short Film Grant is a grant that provides production funds and support to one short narrative film project. The selected project will receive $5,000 in cash, a full camera package courtesy of Panavision, a GoPro Hero 4 Black camera, a digital copy of Final Draft screenwriting software and a copy of Assimiliate color, which is compositing and finishing software.  Camera packages contain all customary and necessary equipment, however the exact contents of the package will be determined at the sole discretion of Panavision. Projects must have valid production insurance in order to receive the camera package. 

The script can be no longer than 25 pages. 

The film must go into production between September 1, 2016 and March 1, 2017. 

All applicants must have accounts on Colaborator and use the website's "project tools" to assist in hiring their cast and crews. The project must also include Colaborator's logo on its own title card in the film's opening credits and acknowledge Panavision, GoPro, Final Draft and Assimiliate in the film's end credits, as well as acknowledge Colaborator in any press releases or descriptions on websites controlled by the filmmakers. Colaborator will also have exclusive rights to screen the film on its website on a timeline that is mutually agreed upon by the filmmakers and Colaborator. 

Colaborator is a password-protected site, so showing the film on any non-public portion of the site will not disqualify the film for consideration from the vast majority of major festivals, including the Academy Awards. Colaborator will work with the filmmakers to establish a timeline for the film's release on its website that takes into account the overall distribution plan for the film. 

Grant funds are awarded in early September.