NewNarratives - NewFilmmakers Los Angeles

about

In 2021, NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) and Warner Bros. Discovery 150 partnered to launch the inaugural edition of NewNarratives. Now in its fifth year, the program continues to identify exciting new global storytellers by tapping into NFMLA’s extensive pool of artistic talent. The program advances, funds, and amplifies unique new voices whose narratives, stories, and characters transcend borders and challenge conventions.

Thanks to an ongoing partnership with the Rhulen Family Foundation in honor of the late independent film producer Anthony Rhulen, known for projects such as The Butterfly Effect, the NewNarratives program will offer a new round of $20,000usd in cash grant funding for 2025. A new grant category this year will increase the total cash grant funding available to $25,000usd.

The first category of grants will be distributed in the form of four (4) $5,000usd grants, which will support short films, feature films, episodic series, live-action, fiction, documentaries, experimental works, and/or animation projects at any stage of production. This includes concept development, early development, pre-production, production, post-production, and audience strategy.

This year, we are proud to announce two new funding partners, The Hollywood Climate Summit and Athens Services. These organizations have joined forces with NFMLA to support storytellers whose projects focus on themes of environmental awareness, including issues that impact our climate, ecosystems, communities, and more. This second grant category will be distributed in the form of one (1) $5,000usd grant specifically for short films (fiction, documentary, live-action, or animation) in post-production that align with climate and/or environmental consciousness.

PROGRAM TIMELINE

Submissions Open
July 8th, 2025 at 10:00am PT*

Submissions Deadline
August 5th, 2025 at 3:00pm PT*

Award Announcement
September 2nd, 2025 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)
Proposed project may be a live-action narrative, experimental, animated and/or documentary short or feature or episodic series, in any stage of production (however, if you are applying for the environmental awareness grant, the project must be a short film, fiction, documentary, live-action, or animation, in post-production that aligns with climate and/or environmental consciousness.
Applicant may only submit one project in total (including projects that you share a credit on)
Content must be written or created by applicant
Application’s 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!