Production Grant
Film, Radio and New Media
Deadline: October 1, 2009
Program Overview
The California Documentary Project (CDP) is a competitive grant program of the California Council for the Humanities in partnership with the Skirball Foundation. The CDP production grant supports film, radio and new media projects that document the California experience and explore issues of significance to Californians. Projects must approach subject matter from a humanities perspective, enhance our understanding of California and its cultures, peoples and histories, and be suitable for California and national audiences.
The Humanities
The humanities grow out of an interest in the language, literature, thought and history of humankind. They emphasize analysis, interpretation, and exchange of ideas. A humanities approach makes use of existing scholarship and research, incorporates a variety of perspectives, and seeks to foster critical reflection and thoughtful analysis on the part of audiences.
Funding Level
Film and radio projects may request up to $50,000. New media projects may request up to $20,000. See FAQ for more information on the new media category.
Deadline
| October 1, 2009 | |
| Noon: | Deadline for electronic submission of online application and uploaded proposal narrative and budget |
| 5 pm: | Supporting materials must be received at CCH San Francisco office |
| No applications will be accepted thereafter. | |
Project Requirements
Film, radio and new media projects must meet all of the following criteria:- Document the California experience and explore issues of significance to Californians
- Approach the subject matter from a humanities perspective, making use of existing scholarship and research on the topic, incorporating a variety of perspectives, and seeking to foster critical reflection and thoughtful analysis on the part of the audience
- Actively involve at least two humanities advisors in significant phases of the project
- Film and radio only: Be suitable for national broadcast and/or distribution, meeting national broadcast requirements in terms of length, format and technical quality. A letter of interest from a national broadcaster or distributor must be provided.
- New media only: Produce an interactive project that is widely publicly accessible. See FAQ for more information.
- Be conducted by experienced film, radio or new media producers. A previously completed work sample must be submitted
- Have a work-in-progress sample (CD, DVD or web-based) available for submission
- Be submitted or sponsored by a not-for-profit organization or state or municipal government entity, preferably one in California
Review Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria:
Quality
- California and national relevance
- Depth of humanities content and approach
- Experience of project staff and advisors
Capacity
- Feasibility of budget, timeline, fundraising strategy and outreach
Ineligible projects
- Institutional histories produced and/or partially funded by the institution itself
- Projects that advocate on behalf of a cause
- Promotional pieces
- Projects at the research and development stage
- Projects already in post-production (i.e., have completed production)
- Projects from applicants with a currently open CCH grant
- Projects from sponsoring organizations that have a currently open CCH grant unless said organizations are already CCH approved media fiscal sponsors (see FAQ for more information)
Timeline
| June 2009: | Guidelines available online |
| July–August 2009: | Informational grant workshops. Details will be posted on the CCH website once they become available |
| September 1, 2009: | Online application available on the CCH website |
| October 1, 2009: | Noon: Online application deadline. |
| 5:00 pm: Supporting material received at CCH SF office | |
| December 2009: | Awards announced |