NewNarratives - NewFilmmakers Los Angeles

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ABOUT NEWNARRATIVES

Originally launched in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery 150 in 2021, NewNarratives, presented by NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA), enters its sixth year in 2026 as an initiative dedicated to discovering the next generation of independent storytellers. The program identifies exceptional emerging creative voices and provides the funding, mentorship, industry access, and visibility needed to transform ambitious ideas into impactful films and series. By investing in artists whose stories transcend borders, challenge convention, and expand the cultural conversation, NewNarratives helps cultivate the future of global independent storytelling.

Thanks to the continued support of the Rhulen Family Foundation, honoring acclaimed independent producer Anthony Rhulen (The Butterfly Effect), NewNarratives will award $35,000 USD in cash grants during the 2026 cycle across three distinct funding opportunities designed to support projects at various stages of development and production.

NewNarratives Grants

The main NewNarratives Grant category will award four (4) grants of $5,000 USD each to support emerging filmmakers developing short films, feature films, or episodic series (fiction, documentary, live-action, animation, or experimental) at any stage of the creative process. Eligible projects may be in concept development, early development, pre-production, production, post-production, or audience strategy and distribution planning.

NewNarratives Environmental Storytelling Grant

Supported by Athens Services, this category will award one (1) grant of $5,000 USD to a short film (fiction, documentary, live-action, animation, or experimental) currently in post-production that meaningfully explores themes of climate, environmental sustainability, conservation, or humanity's relationship with the natural world. This grant celebrates filmmakers using the power of storytelling to inspire greater awareness, dialogue, and action around the environmental challenges shaping our communities and our future.

NewNarratives Absurd AI Storytelling Grant

Supported by Absurd, this category will award one (1) $10,000 USD grant to an emerging filmmaker developing a short or feature film, across fiction, live action, animation, or experimental work, at any stage of production. The grant will be accompanied by a three-month fellowship supporting the awarded artist as they explore using Absurd’s AI storytelling tools as a way to reimagine what independent filmmaking can look like with AI. Absurd will begin onboarding beta users on August 3, 2026.

Program Timeline

Submissions Open
July 21st, 2026 at 10:00am PT*

Submissions Deadline
August 18th, 2026 at 3:00pm PT*

Award Announcement
September 8th, 2026 at 11:00am PT*

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicant must have written, directed or produced at least one project that has been accepted into a film festival or industry recognized development competition (such as a screenplay contest)
NewNarratives grant applicants’ projects must be a live-action narrative, experimental, animated and/or documentary short or feature or episodic series, in any stage of production. For the NewNarratives Environmental Storytelling Grant and the NewNarratives Absurd AI Storytelling Grant, the project must adhere to the guidelines outlined in those grant categories
Applicant may only submit one project in total, including projects on which you share a credit. Content must be written or created by the applicant. The proposed project must be original and unreleased
Application’s material must be written in English
Applicant must be able and willing to complete the project if funding is awarded
Applicant must be willing to sign project submission release
Applicant must be or become a Rising Creator or Champion level member of NewFilmmakers Los Angeles

required submission items

Work sample of previously completed narrative, experimental or documentary feature, short or episodic project or a script that has been selected for an industry recognized development competition (such as a screenplay contest)
Video work samples must include English subtitles for any content not in English language
All submitted project materials must be in English
Treatment (no longer than 2 pages)
Concept deck (no longer than 12 pages)
Project synopsis of project (no longer than one paragraph)
Working title
Submitter biography
Submitter statement
All items must adhere to applicable character count limits
If applying for the environmental awareness grant, you must submit a link to your short film that qualifies per the guidelines and is in its post-production phase

If you have any questions, please contact lauren@nfmla.org

*Dates are subject to change, all revised dates will be updated on this page

Frequently asked questions

Are all applicants required to be or become an NFMLA member before their applications are considered?

Yes, an NFMLA Rising Creator membership level or higher is required before you are able to submit your application.

Are joint applications with a filmmaking duo supported?

Yes, we’re accepting submissions from creative duos. Please keep in mind, whoever decides to submit the project, must be a Rising Creator member.

Can I submit more than one application for different projects?

No, you may only submit one project, including those you share credit on.

Which industry recognized development competitions are considered qualifying in order to submit?

We will not be determining the eligibility of any development program or contest, as long as it holds a valid and legitimate status. The decision rests on your judgment and discretion.

Is the grant open to foreign nationals who are not residents of the US?

Yes, we’re accepting submissions worldwide!

What is included in the project submission release?

Please review the details of the release at the bottom of the submission page.

Can I have an extension on my submission?

No, unfortunately we cannot accept submissions after the deadline.

Can I update the materials on my application after I’ve already submitted?

No, unfortunately we cannot make any adjustments after submission.

What benefits does the Rising Creator membership include?

Please review our membership page for Rising Creator benefits: https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/membership/

If we decide to take the project in a different direction than what was originally submitted to NewNarratives, is that okay?

We will not maintain/oversee the creative control of the project. So if you decide to take it in a different direction, that’s okay!

Do you accept audio only projects? (i.e. podcasts)

No, we are only accepting visual works.

Can I apply for more than one grant category?

No. Each applicant may submit only one (1) application to the 2026 NewNarratives Grants Program. Applicants must choose the single grant category that best aligns with their project:

NewNarratives Grant (one of four $5,000 USD grants)
NewNarratives Environmental Storytelling Grant ($5,000 USD)
NewNarratives Absurd AI Storytelling Grant ($10,000 USD)

Multiple applications submitted by the same applicant, regardless of whether they are for different grant categories or different projects, will not be accepted. Please carefully review the eligibility requirements for each category before submitting your application.