THE NARRATIVE SHORT GRANT PROGRAM

The 2026 Narrative Short Grant Program will open on July 27, 2026. The deadline to submit will be August 24, 2026 at 11:59p. Announcement of the winners will happen no later than the first week of December, 2026.

The guidelines will be updated to our 2026 requirements in April, 2026. Below is a link to our 2025 guidelines for reference.

BFF is excited to host its second annual Narrative Short Grant Program, which provides specific funding to narrative short films made by local filmmakers. We see a growing need for funding of short fiction film projects in the region and we are happy to offer this support moving forward. Berkeley Film Foundation will provide grants in pre-production, production, post-production and distribution for narrative short film projects. 

The Berkeley Film Foundation is interested in short films that use creative, thoughtful and innovative methods to tell a story with a strong theme of social or environmental justice. The review committee will be judging films based on originality, imagination, and technical skill.

Beyond the issues addressed in the film and the artistic approach, we are wondering: Is this a film that will gain a wide audience both within and outside of serious film viewers? Does the filmmaking team display a level of professionalism that will enable the film to be completed? These are some examples of things that you are encouraged to address in the application.

110 films funded are
by filmmakers of color.