My World Film Grant

​An exclusive opportunity for Jackson Wild Collective members

Description

In an effort to contribute to the filmmaker pathways and to develop environmental filmmaking talent, Amberjack Films and Schoolyard Films, in partnership with Jackson Wild, have created a program of funded scholarship films, where early-stage filmmakers are sponsored to make a short 10-20 minute film on a nature or environmental story wherever they come from in the world. The ambition is to support emerging filmmakers, give them the basic financial support to direct and produce a film and mentor them through the editorial process. It also encourages them to distribute their film to the greatest effect – to maximize their audience and create local impact through screenings, and provide schools with access to their films. These films will highlight filmmakers' voices worldwide, spreading talent and skills while showcasing authentic voices irrespective of gender, ethnicity, or disability.
​
Applicants should submit a 1-2 page treatment / story outline plus

  • Budget

  • ​Timeline for pre-production, production, post-production, and delivery

  • Proposed equipment for filming and editing

Program Details

  • The My World Film Grant is for $30k USD

  • Funding is to be made available starting in January 2025. Scheduled payments will go as follows:

    • 10% on commencement of pre-production of the Film 

    • 25% on commencement of filming of the Film 

    • 25% on commencement of post-production of the Film 

    • 25% on commencement of online editing of the Film 

    • 15% on delivery

  • Additional funding raised by the filmmaker is permissible, but the film’s delivery must not be contingent on the availability of additional funding.

  • Starting January 2025, filmmakers will have an 11-month window to deliver the film  

  • The contract, created by Amberjack Film, Schoolyard Films, and Jackson Wild, will:

    • Specify film rights for filmmaker

    • Specify film rights for Amberjack Films and Schoolyard Films

    • ​Give Amberjack Films, Schoolyard Films, and/or Fitz Productions first right of refusal for television development of film

    • Specify Schoolyard will produce a study guide for the film, ideally with the cooperation of the filmmaker and possibly a contributor/scientist in the film

  • Location 

    • Projects need to be made about a place/issue that you know intimately. Ideally, it will focus on a place where you either live or grew up. The goal for the grant is to highlight films made around the world in the places people call home. 

  • Distribution

    • The film is to be distributed non-exclusively on the MY WORLD website and by usual Schoolyard Films distribution channels

    • The film may be also self-distributed by filmmakers in addition to the above. The filmmaker is free to enter into any film festivals they choose, at the filmmaker’s expense.

  • Audience

    • The My World Film Grant's target audience is aged 18 and above, skewed towards 20s, 30s & 40s. We hope to appeal to all ages, but we don’t require films to be made with a school age audience in mind. Schoolyard Films are specifically targeting school age audiences but in most cases believe that an environmental film made for adults will also appeal on a number of levels to all of their audience. So, the MWFG is not aimed specifically at youth. 

  • Contract

    • The grant's contract has been created by Amberjack Films, Schoolyard Films, and Jackson Wild.

Timeline

Applications Open: April 8, 2024
Applications Close: June 12, 2024 at 11:59 pm EDT
Review Process: June-August, 2024
Applicants Notified: October 2024

FAQ

Q: Does the My World Film Grant accept 360°/VR project submissions?
Yes, please apply. We intend to create a specific 360 grant in the future, but we will be delighted to consider a 360 film within the current grant.

Q: Does the My World Film Grant accept animation?
Yes, there’s no creative restraint on individuals putting forward any format, whether that’s XR, animation or scripted.
​
Q: Should the films be a certain length?
Yes, the films should be between 10 to 20 minutes.

Q: Does the funding for the project have to be exclusively from My World Film Grant, or is it alright to have other funding sources as well? 
If there are other funding sources, that is fine. But we will only commit to a film that funding = budget. So if the budget is greater than our grant, the contract will need to confirm the producer/director has the requisite funds in place​. 

Q: How will payment work? Will they be scheduled?

  • Payments will be broken down as follows:

  • 10% start of preproduction

  • 25% start of filming

  • 25% start of post-production

  • 25% start of online editing of the Film

  • 15% delivery

The schedule of timeline payments will be confirmed at the start of the project and any change will be informed in writing beforehand.

Q: Can applicants apply with more than one project?
Yes, multiple project submissions are allowed.

Q: Do the films have to be in a particular production stage to apply?
As per the grant description, there needs to be written materials/budget/timeline etc in the application. That said, if you have already started filming or completed filming but require funds to complete post-production, we are happy to see your projects.

Q: Does this submitted project have to be in English?
The application documentation should be in English. The creative script/narration can be in the language of origination but we will need an English translation so that we can assess the project fairly.