THE ROY W. DEAN GRANT
FOR FILMS THAT ARE UNIQUE AND MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY
Now Accepting Applications for the 2025 Spring Grant
Deadline: March 31st, 2025 @ Midnight
Open to Filmmakers from Any Country
Winner Receives a Check for $3500!
$20,000+ in Services and Discounts
Free Consultation to Review Application
SPRING GRANT NOW OPEN
DEADLINE: MARCH 31ST, 2025 @ MIDNIGHT
For over 30 years, 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
Finalists will be announced in July, and the Winner in August
WATCH OUR 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY VIDEO!
ELIGIBILITY
- Budget Must Be Under $500,000
- Open to Filmmakers from Any Country
- For Any Phase of Production from Development to Post-Production
- Films Can Be Any Length
- Live Action or Animated
Want to Learn More? Read the GRANT FAQS
AWARD
A $3,500.00 Check from From the Heart Productions
Sponsored by Sonny Fassoulis
DISCOUNTS AND FREE SERVICES
- $500 in grip, lighting or expendables from Filmtools
- 40% off color, editing, and sound & all production services… including our lighting truck –www.promedia.nyc
- Free Consultation from Tom Malloy of Glass House Distribution on distribution of your film
- $1,200.00 value for one consultation a month for a year with Carole Dean on financing your film
- 30% off equipment rental from AbelCine Tech, Inc. NYC
- 15% off legal services from Robert Seigel
- 25% off Pitch Deck and/or Website Design from Adam Heyes
- 15% off services by L’ORAGE sUAS Drone.
- 25% off on online/color correction and deliverables creation/duplication rates from GlueEdit.com
- 30% off Clearance from BZ Rights & Permissions, Inc. for copyrighted materials
- $1,600 value / sound mix session from Silver Sound
- 20% off services and free consultation from Donna Houser, online acting coach and mentor
- $600.00 for your Free Closed Captioning by Cineprosmedia
- 30% off digitizing services from dijifi.com for S8, photos, videos, etc
- 10% off DCP conversion service and use facility for no charge. Chris@simpledcp.com
- $117.00 Value TriLens holder from Frii Designs
- $110.00 Value Session for free from Breianne Pryse to clear and strengthen energy, get clarity and dissolve blocks
- 15% off storyboarding services from Brian Badgette
- Contact our insurance agent Debbie West at MovieInsure for excellent prices on all film insurance needs.
PAST WINNERS!
The $500 Britt Penrod Award will be granted to an additional film that is unique and that makes an exceptional contribution to society.
“The Roy W. Dean Grant gave me the push I needed to continue on my journey and complete my film. It is an invaluable resource and award for any filmmaker faced with the enormous financial burden of finishing a feature length film. I couldn’t be more appreciative of the continuous support of Carole Dean and the various partners and artists who contribute to the RWD grant.”
– CATHRYNE CZUBEK
Director, “A Girl and a Gun”
2010 Roy W. Dean Grant Winner
APPLICATION INFO
APPLICATION FEE: $48
STUDENT FEE: $38
*Must have Student ID
All applicants will receive a FREE 15 Minute Consultation with Grant Director Carole Joyce to discuss your application!
Consultations will take place after finalists have been announced.
Items to submit (upload) on your application:
- Cover Letter
- Proposal (for documentaries) or Synopsis (for shorts or features)
- Marketing/Distribution/Social Media Plan
- Crew Information
- Budget (or Estimate)
- Sample Work: Provide a URL to a video of your trailer or prior work (Vimeo, YouTube, etc.)
Project Proposal and Synopsis Guidelines
Submit a written proposal. If you would like an outline for a documentary proposal, click here.
For documentaries, please send us an outline of your documentary film. It can be from 2 to 6 pages.
For short films and features, we want a one page synopsis (or outline) of the film and the first 10 pages of your script.
Please be sure also include the following:
- Style, format and approach to the material, including any distinct visual or technical elements.
- What are your plans for distribution?
- Are you the producer, director, what?
- How is this project unique and how does this project benefit society?
- What is your relationship to the material?
- List name and position of proposed key production personnel (producer, director, cinematographer, editor, etc.) and their relevant experience or credits.
Sample Work(s) Guidelines
All Roy W. Dean Grant and Carole Dorothy Joyce Grant applications must be accompanied by a sample of applicant’s previously completed work via URL to an online video (Vimeo, YouTube, etc).
We need to see what you have made and what your vision is for your proposed or current film. If you do not have a prior work, submit one from a key member on your crew.
OTHER GRANTS
2025 SHORT FILM GRANT – OPEN NOW
Application Deadline: April 29th
A special grant just for narrative short films that make a difference, either live action and animated.
$3,000 Cash and $15K+ in Services and Discounts.
2025 CAROLE DOROTHY JOYCE STUDENT GRANT – OPENS MAY 1ST
Application Deadline: November 30th
A grant just for student filmmakers!
For any kind of film, either live action or animated.
$3,000 Cash and $10K+ in Services and Discounts.
