NewNarratives

about

In 2021, NewFilmmakers Los Angeles and Warner Bros. Discovery 150 partnered to launch the inaugural edition of NewNarratives. Now in its fourth year, the program will continue to identify exciting new global storytellers by accessing NFMLA’s extensive pool of artistic talent. The program advances, funds and amplifies unique new voices whose narratives, stories and characters transcend borders and dismantle convention.

Thanks to a continued partnership with the Rhulen Family Foundation in honor of the late independent film producer Anthony Rhulen known for projects such as The Butterfly Effect, the NewNarratives program will offer a fresh round of $20,000.00 usd in cash grant funding for 2024. These grants will be disbursed in the form of four (4), five thousand ($5,000.00 usd) grants which will support short, feature and episodic series, documentary, experimental and/or animation projects in any stage of production. This includes concept, early development, pre-production, production, post-production and/or audience strategy.

PROGRAM TIMELINE

Submissions Open
August 1st, 2024 at 10:00am PT*

Submissions Deadline
August 29th, 2024 at 3:00pm PT*

Award Announcement
September 25th, 2024 at 11:00am PT*

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicant must have written, directed or produced at least one project that has been accepted into a film festival or industry recognized development competition (such as a screenplay contest)
Proposed project may be a live-action narrative, experimental, animated and/or documentary short or feature or episodic series, in any stage of production
Applicant may only submit one project in total (including projects that you share a credit on)
Content must be written or created by applicant
Application’s proposed project must be original and unreleased
Application’s content must be written in English
Applicant must be able and willing to complete the project if funding is awarded
Applicant must be willing to sign project submission release
Applicant must be or become a Rising Creator or Champion level member of NewFilmmakers Los Angeles

REQUIRED SUBMISSION ITEMS

Work sample of previously completed narrative, experimental or documentary feature, short or episodic project or a script that has been selected for an industry recognized development competition (such as a screenplay contest)
Video work samples must include English subtitles for any content not in English language
All submitted project materials must be in English
Treatment (no longer than 2 pages)
Concept deck (no longer than 12 pages)
Project synopsis of project (no longer than one paragraph)
Working title
Submitter biography
Submitter statement
All items must adhere to applicable character count limits

If you have any questions, please contact lauren@nfmla.org

*Dates are subject to change, all revised dates will be updated on this page

Frequently asked questions

Are all applicants required to be or become an NFMLA member before their applications are considered?

Yes, an NFMLA Rising Creator membership level or higher is required before you are able to submit your application.

Are joint applications with a filmmaking duo supported?

Yes, we’re accepting submissions from creative duos. Please keep in mind, whoever decides to submit the project, must be a Rising Creator member.

Can I submit more than one application for different projects?

No, you may only submit one project, including those you share credit on.

Which industry recognized development competitions are considered qualifying in order to submit?

We will not be determining the eligibility of any development program or contest, as long as it holds a valid and legitimate status. The decision rests on your judgment and discretion.

Is the grant open to foreign nationals who are not residents of the US?

Yes, we’re accepting submissions worldwide!

What is included in the project submission release?

Please review the details of the release at the bottom of the submission page.

Can I have an extension on my submission?

No, unfortunately we cannot accept submissions after the deadline.

Can I update the materials on my application after I’ve already submitted?

No, unfortunately we cannot make any adjustments after submission.

What benefits does the Rising Creator membership include?

Please review our membership page for Rising Creator benefits: https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/membership/

If we decide to take the project in a different direction than what was originally submitted to NewNarratives, is that okay?

We will not maintain/oversee the creative control of the project. So if you decide to take it in a different direction, that’s okay!