THE ROY W. DEAN GRANT
FOR FILMS THAT ARE UNIQUE
AND MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY
2026 Fall Grant Application Now Open!
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
October 31st @ Midnight PT
Open to Filmmakers from Any Country
Winner Receives a Check for $3500!
$20,000+ in Services and Discounts
Free Consultation on Your Project
FALL GRANT APPLICATION NOW OPEN!
DEADLINE: October 31st @ MIDNIGHT
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
Finalists will be announced in January, and the Winner in February 2026
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
2026 FALL GRANT AWARD
A $3,500.00 Check from From the Heart Productions
Sponsored by Sonny Fassoulis
DISCOUNTS AND FREE SERVICES
- $15,000 in original music written by well-known composer David Raiklen. (Exclusive of recording costs)
- $1800 in animation services (10% off each week – $300 – for up to six weeks) with Emmy Award–winning animator Charlie Canfield.
- $500 in grip, lighting or expendables from Filmtools
- Karen Everett of New Doc Editing will match any amount you spend on story consulting services with free services (i.e. pay for 3 hours, get 3 hours free!)
- $1,620 for one consultation a month with Carole Dean on financing your film
- Tom Malloy of Studio Dome donates an hour of consultation on distribution of your film
- $700 one week DSLR camera package rental from Birns & Sawyer which includes Canon 5D Mark III camera body, a 24-70mm Canon EOS lens, 2 batteries, charger, carrying case, and two 32G Compact Flash media cards.
- $119 value DXA-MICRO-PRO PLUS Active Audio Adapter for DSLRs and Camcorders from Beachtek
- Free consultation, marketing material creation and design and marketing/strategizing for producer-writer-director team for solicitation of distribution from Smart Girls Productions
- 20% discount on the design of your marketing sheet by professional Dan Chapman
- 35% Discount from 1st Imprint for all your printing needs
- $600.00 for your Free Closed Captioning by Cineprosmedia
- $500 Value in still shots by Carole Joyce, Authentic Visions Consulting
- $500 Access to Norman Berns‘ courses; Script Breakdown $100, Righting Rotten Resumes $50, Creating effective business plans $150, How to make a Budget $100; program budgeting $100
- 25% Discount on legal work from Mark Litwak
- 40% discount on printed materials ( Postcards, Posters, Press kits, Business cards, etc.) from Copymat, Hollywood
- 20% off services and free consultation from Donna Houser, online acting coach and mentor
- 10% discount on DCP conversion service and use facility for no charge.
- $117.00 TriLens holder from Frii Designs
- $110.00 Session for free from Breianne Pryse to clear and strengthen energy, get clarity and dissolve blocks
- 50% off the cost of 8 sessions over four month training in the Intentional Filmmaking Class
- 10% OFF for THE CROWDFUNDING QUEEN™’s FROM ZERO TO A MILLION IN 90 DAYS™ crowdfunding/fundraising master program and for THE POWER HOUR one-on-one consultation.
- Contact our insurance agent Debbie West at MovieInsure for excellent prices on all film insurance needs.
PAST WINNERS!
New : The Stories That Matter Awards
In addition to the Roy W. Dean Grant, three projects will be honored with The Stories That Matter Awards, each with a $500 cash award.
These honors recognize films that meaningfully reflect real lives, communities, and pressing social issues, stories that resonate beyond the screen and will leave a lasting impact.
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
FREE GIFT!
All Grant Applicants will receive The Art of Manifesting (Audiobook) by Carole Dean.
This audiobook teaches you how to use the law of manifestation and the law of attraction to clearly envision what you want — then attract it into your life through focused intention and belief.
This audiobook version brings the lessons to life so you can listen and apply them wherever you go — helping you build confidence, clarity, and momentum toward the life you imagine for yourself.
From the Heart Productions and the Roy W. Dean Grants do not work with, endorse, or recommend any paid grant consultants or application services. Applying for our grants does not require any paid assistance. If someone claims to increase your chances for a fee, please know they are not affiliated with us.
APPLICATION INFO
APPLICATION FEE: $48
STUDENT FEE: $38
*Must have Student ID
All applicants will receive a FREE 15 Minute Consultation with a From the Heart Team Member to discuss your project and advice on how to move it forward.
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
2026 SHORT FILM GRANT
2026 Grant Now Closed
Application Opens January 1st, 2027
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.
2026 CAROLE DOROTHY JOYCE STUDENT GRANT
NOW OPEN!
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.
