Eligibility | Application Guidelines The Hearst Screenwriting Grant is given to a mid-career screenwriter who has been a practicing writer for at least five years and who has previously written a minimum of one feature screenplay. The grant is open to writers residing in the United States whose project expresses both a unique personal perspective and an artistic approach to the subject. Priority is given to writers whose previous short or feature screenplays have been produced as an independent film. 2011 Grant $15,000 will be disbursed in December 2011. HEARST FUNDING CYCLE IS NOW CLOSED.  PLEASE CHECK BACK EARLY 2012 FOR DETAILS ABOUT THE  NEXT CYCLE.

FALL 2011 HEARST WINNERS Ian Olds and Paul Felten, The Western Habit Learn more Honorable mention Jason Cortlund, Lumberjunkies Learn more

ELIGIBILITY

SFFS Filmmaking Grants are open to screenwriters that satisfy the following criteria.

• Applicant must be at least 18 years old.
• Applicant must have been a practicing writer for at least five years and have written a minimum of one previous feature screenplay.
• Applicant must reside in the United States.
• Work must express both a unique personal perspective and artistic approach to the subject.
• The application, screenplays and treatments must be written in English.
• Scripts must be properly formatted to industry standard. Digital submissions must be in PDF format only.
• Scripts by more than one writer are eligible but the grant will be given to the applicant only.

Priority will be given to

• Writers who have had their previous short or feature screenplays made into an independent film.
• Projects that are vibrant, intelligent, moving and innovative.
• Please note that while we encourage filmmakers to apply for to the SF Internation Film Festival, Cinema by the Bay and Filmmaker360 project development program, winning a grant from Filmmaker360 does not guaranteed acceptance into any of the above programs.

Evaluation Criteria

• Filmmaker clearly articulates his or her intended goals for the Grant
• Filmmaker demonstrates how the Grant will impact short- and long-term professional and artistic goals.

Restrictions

• Filmmaker may not be a SFFS employee or member of any SFFS board.
• Filmmaker may not be a full-time student.
• Project is not work for hire.
• Only one application per project will be accepted.
• Script must not have been optioned, purchased, in production or produced.
• Adaptations of any work (other than your own or your co-writer's) are not eligible.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Deadlines

• Letter Of Inquiry (LOI) period opened September 1, 2011
• LOI deadline was  October 5, 2011
• Finalists are invited to submit additional materials October 22, 2011
• Additional materials deadline for finalists is November 16, 2011
• Winner will be announced December 2011

How to Apply
Submit a Letter of Inquiry on the SFFS website when the funding cycle opens. If you are not a SFFS member, please pay the $35 administrative fee here. The fee is waived for members at the Filmmaker Pro Level or higher.

Finalists will be asked to submit the following:
    * A three to ten page treatment
    * A minimum of ten pages of the script you are applying for
    * Work Sample: A minimum of ten pages of a previous feature screenplay
    * A work sample explanation

NOTE: Filmmakers with incomplete applications will not be considered

Work samples and full application must be received by 5:00 pm on November 16, 2011 to:

SFFS / Hearst Screenwriting Grant
c/o San Francisco Film Society
39 Mesa Street, Suite 110
San Francisco, CA 94129

Review Panel
The Film Society will convene a panel to evaluate applications and award grants at its sole discretion.

Payment
Payment will be made via business check and can be made out to an individual or company name according to recipient specifications. The Film Society will issue a 1099 form at year's end reflecting grant income.

Crediting San Francisco Film Society
Filmmaker shall provide acknowledgement with a "With the Support of San Francisco Film Society and the Hearst Screenwriting Grant" in the credits of the final product as well as the SFFS logo.

Reporting Requirement
Grant recipients will be required to submit a progress report and a new work sample six months, from the date of the grant award.

APPLY ONLINE
Access the online application once the funding cycle opens.