June 2026 Mini Slate: Industry Greenlights and Gateways

MOUNTAINFILM COMMITMENT GRANT & EMERGING FILMMAKER FELLOWSHIP

FELLOWSHIP

DEADLINE: JULY 16

Mountainfilm is committed to supporting documentary filmmakers in telling stories that support our mission to inspire audiences to create a better world. We seek nonfiction stories celebrating adventure, activism, social justice, culture, environment and indomitable spirit. Applications for Mountainfilm’s 2026 Commitment Grant and Emerging Filmmaker Fellowship are open from July 1-16, 2026. 

Please note that if you are an early career filmmaker we will select an Emerging Filmmaker from the pool of Commitment Grant applicants for our Emerging Filmmaker Fellowship.

WRITER'S SPRINT GROUP

Graduated from AFI 1995 to 2005? Interested in an online Writing Sprint Group? Then read on:

This is a regular Zoom meeting to help with progress and accountability. Writers briefly share their goals at the beginning of the meeting, then write, and then perhaps come back and say how things went. Participant should feel free to tackle all stages of a writing project during these sprints, including brainstorming, drafting, outlining, editing, researching, even querying tasks. Sprints generally last 2 hours per session, but writers can jump online as they’re able. Please message me here or contact me at kjmurphybirds@gmail.com if interested. Happy writing everyone!

NOSTOS SCREENWRITING RETREAT

FELLOWSHIP

DEADLINE: LATE AUGUST

Nostos Screenwriting Retreats is an intensive script development lab held in Tuscany four times a year, is welcoming AFI Alum/Faculty Rob Spera (AFI Class of 1986) to teach an intensive Directing Workshop in late August.

Through practical, hands-on directing exercises, illustrations, demonstrations, video clips, and lectures, Mr. Spera offers directors a unique technique that empowers actors to deliver multidimensional film performances without restricting actors’ instincts or stifling their spontaneity.SHOW MORE

FELLOWSHIP

DEADLINE: LATE AUGUST

Nostos Screenwriting Retreats is an intensive script development lab held in Tuscany four times a year, is welcoming AFI Alum/Faculty Rob Spera (AFI Class of 1986) to teach an intensive Directing Workshop in late August.

Through practical, hands-on directing exercises, illustrations, demonstrations, video clips, and lectures, Mr. Spera offers directors a unique technique that empowers actors to deliver multidimensional film performances without restricting actors’ instincts or stifling their spontaneity.

SHOW LESS

DOCUMENTARY FUND GRANT

GRANT

DEADLINE: JUNE 15

 

The Sundance Institute Documentary Fund is a global granting opportunity that supports independent filmmakers of cinematic documentaries, from development through release, on a wide range of contemporary topics and themes.

 

We support independent, feature-length documentary films (52 minutes and longer) and prioritize budgets under $1.2 million USD excluding distribution and impact expenses. Prior funding or a fiscal sponsor is not required. To ensure the artist’s vision remains central, creative and editorial control must be held by the project’s key creative team.

 

 

TUBI x BLACK LIST HORROR INITIATIVE

GRANTS&FELLOWSHIPS

DEADLINE: JUNE 30

 

Tubi and the Black List are looking for the next great horror film!

The Black List and Tubi have expanded their partnership with a new initiative to provide both emerging and established writers with the opportunity to submit feature scripts within the horror genre with the intention for Tubi to produce and distribute the selected script. Writers can submit their entries beginning March 1, 2026 and the submission period will run through June 30, 2026.

 

 

 

THE ROY W. DEAN GRANT

GRANT

DEADLINE: JUNE 30

 

Since 1992, the Roy W. Dean Grant funds independent films that are unique and make a contribution to society that, without its help, might otherwise never get made.

OPEN TO DOCUMENTARIES – NARRATIVE FEATURES – SHORTS – WEB SERIES – MULTIMEDIA PROJECTS

SHOW MORE

GRANT

DEADLINE: JUNE 30

 

Since 1992, the Roy W. Dean Grant funds independent films that are unique and make a contribution to society that, without its help, might otherwise never get made.

OPEN TO DOCUMENTARIES – NARRATIVE FEATURES – SHORTS – WEB SERIES – MULTIMEDIA PROJECTS

Winners will receive a $3,500.00 check plus tons of discounts and free services to use.

SHOW LESS

IGNITE X ADOBE SHORT FILM FUND

GRANT

DEADLINE: JUNE 30

 

The Sundance Institute Ignite x Adobe Short Film Fund aims to provide meaningful support for short films through direct project investment and creative consultation. Open only to alumni of the Sundance Institute Ignite x Adobe Fellowship, the short film fund will grant five films $35,000 USD, aiming to provide the resources needed to complete their films within one to two years.

 

To apply, you must be an Alum of the Sundance Institute Ignite x Adobe Fellowship and have received an application code directly from Sundance Institute.  

FAST TRACK-FILM INDEPENDENT

FELLOWSHIP

DEADLINE: JUNE 8

 

Every year Film Independent selects up to ten fiction and five non-fiction feature projects to participate in an intensive film finance market that takes place over four days in November. Designed to connect producer-director teams with industry leaders and put projects on the “fast track,” the market consists of meetings with top executives, financiers, agents, managers, distributors, granting organizations and production companies. Participants gain valuable exposure and build vital relationships as they propel their films toward completion.

SUPPORT THE ALUMNI FUND

Alumni Fund gifts are solely designated to support the future of the AFI Scholarship Fund.

DONATE