A $10,000 grant to help emerging filmmakers bring an original story to the screen.

The inaugural Lord Family Foundation Short Documentary Grant supports one emerging filmmaker each year who has a promising documentary idea but lacks the financial resources to produce it.

Funded by The Lord Family Foundation and offered through From the Heart Productions, the grant provides $10,000, plus resources and mentorship, to help the recipient create an original short documentary that could strengthen a film school application or serve as an industry calling card.

The full $10,000 award will be available for the filmmaker’s production expenses. Applicants can have additional financing for their projects. 

Applications open December 1, 2026
Application Deadline: February 28, 2027, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time
Application Fee: $28

Is Your Documentary Eligible?

This grant is for emerging documentary filmmakers. For the grant, this is defined as someone in the early stages of their filmmaking career who has not yet established themselves as a professional documentary director.

Established feature documentary directors are excluded.

Applicants may have completed student films, independent shorts, or other creative projects, but extensive professional experience is not required.

First-time filmmakers are encouraged to apply. There is no age restriction.

The project should be an original short documentary. It should be 40 minutes or less when completed

The project must not have begun principal photography. Preliminary research, development, exploratory interviews, and limited test footage are permitted.

There is an expectation that the selected filmmaker complete the documentary within approximately 12 months of receiving the grant, with reasonable extensions if necessary.

What to Submit

Help us understand your story, your approach, and what making this film would mean to you.

Include the following in your application:

• Documentary proposal or treatment: Introduce your subject, the story you intend to explore, and your creative approach.
• Personal statement: Include a personal statement describing your interest in documentary filmmaking, your future goals, your financial need, and how the grant would help make your proposed documentary possible
• Proposed production plan: Explain how you intend to make the film and your anticipated schedule.
• Proposed budget: Outline the expected costs of producing your documentary.
• Previous creative work, if available: Work samples are welcome but optional.

How Selection Works

From the Heart Productions will screen applications and name 20 finalists. The Lord Family Foundation and From the Heart Productions will review those finalists together and select one recipient.

The selected filmmaker must include this credit in the completed film:

• A presentation credit for The Lord Family Foundation.

Guidance for Every Applicant

Every applicant is offered a 15-minute consultation with From the Heart Productions to discuss their project and how best to move it forward.

Filmmakers can take advantage of this after grant submissions have been reviewed and finalists chosen. All applicants will be sent instructions and links that will allow them to schedule these consultations with a member of From the Heart Productions.

Bring your questions and explore practical next steps for your documentary, whether or not you receive the award.

Share Your Story and Your Vision

We look forward to discovering the story you want to tell and learning how this opportunity could help you grow as a documentary filmmaker.