LEF
MOVING
IMAGE
FUND

MOVING IMAGE FUND

Guidelines

LEF invests in documentary film and video projects that demonstrate excellence in technique, originality of vision and voice, and creativity in form. The strongest proposals will be those that clearly articulate the ways in which the proposed project aligns with the program’s funding criteria.

Funding Criteria

  • Quality of cinematic form and technique
  • Originality of filmmaker’s voice, vision, and point of view
  • Resonance and power of the film’s core idea or story
  • Feasibility of production

Eligibility

  • Projects must be long format; running times of 40 minutes or more.
  • Primary creative personnel (director and/or producer) must reside in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont).
  • Projects with directors or producers enrolled in high school, undergraduate or master’s degree programs at the time of application are ineligible for consideration.
  • Multi-channel or installation work will not be considered.
  • LEF no longer requires you to have a confirmed fiscal sponsor at the time that you submit a letter of inquiry or application. However, if you are awarded a grant, you must have a confirmed 501c3 fiscal sponsor in place in order to receive any grant funding. (Find more details about locating a fiscal sponsor on our FAQ page, and reach out to us if you have other questions.)
  • For prior grantees, a final report on previous LEF grant funding is required. Previous LEF grantees, please click here for important eligibility information

Early Development Funding

A maximum of (6) grants of $2,500 each will be awarded to projects in the Early Development phase. This opportunity shares the same August deadline as LEF’s Pre-production grant deadline. Learn more about how to apply.

Appropriate Use of Funds: Early Development funds may be used for research, travel, location scouting, script or storyboard development, experimentation with shooting picture and sound, distribution planning, fundraising, creating a trailer, and schedule and budget development.

Pre-production Funding

A maximum of (6) grants of $5,000 will be awarded to projects in the Pre-production phase of development. This opportunity shares the same August deadline as LEF’s Early Development grant deadline. Learn more about how to apply.

Appropriate Use of Funds: Pre-production funds may be used for research, travel, location scouting, script or storyboard development, experimentation with shooting picture and sound, distribution planning, fundraising, creating a trailer, and schedule and budget development.

Production Funding

A maximum of (7) grants of $15,000 each will be awarded to projects in the Production phase during LEF’s major grants review. The January deadline for Production Letters of Inquiry is shared by Post-production. Learn more about how to apply.

Appropriate Use of Funds: Production funds may be used for shooting picture and sound, early stage editing, equipment costs, materials, travel, and staffing (creative, technical, or otherwise).

Post-production Funding

A maximum of (5) grants of $25,000 each will be awarded to projects in the Post-production phase during LEF’s major grants review. In order to be eligible for Post-production support, the project for which you are applying must have received previous LEF support. The January deadline for Post-production Letters of Inquiry is shared by Production. Learn more about how to apply.

Appropriate Use of Funds: Post-production funds may be used for editing costs, rights, online, sound mix, color correction, transfers and distribution strategy.