Keep The Lights On Fund

The Keep The Lights On Fund has closed.  We are reviewing applications and will announce grant winners by May 29th. Take Care.

Application Criteria and Questions

The Keep The Lights On Fund provides rapid support to documentary film Directors affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and shutdown.  A collaboration between XTR Film Society and Wavelength Productions, the fund will provide $5-10k grants to feature-length documentary films on any subject, in post-production and which had been scheduled for a 2020 completion.  Grants can support post-production budgets or filmmakers’ personal expenses during this pause in the industry.  

The application deadline is May 15th, 2020.  Application decisions will be made by May 29th. Grants can be deployed within 48 hours of acceptance.  

What We’re Looking For:

• U.S.-based documentary film Directors (Only one Director per film may apply)

• Feature-length documentary films in post-production

• Films that were scheduled for completion in 2020 prior to the pandemic

• Films that address contemporary issues

• Premium, character-driven films that have a high-likelihood of distribution

What Does the Grant Support:

• Any post-production expenses

• Filmmaker expenses, including housing, food, child care, etc.

While we are eager to move forward quickly with this fund, we also want to emphasize that funding is not intended to push any documentary forward during this time when distancing is essential.  Instead, it is intended to support filmmakers during this pause - pauses in funding, distribution or other sources of income.  Our first priority is keeping the documentary community safe, supported and ready to thrive when it is once again possible.