Can You Get A Scholarship for Film?
Some film scholarships are academic and help pay for a film studies degree. Applicants often need to submit a short film they directed. There may be other criteria for eligibility too. Things such as financial need, minority status and/or grade point average.
For this type of scholarship, the provider may specify the format and length of your film. But the applicant usually selects the genre. Popular film categories include:
- Animation
- Alternative/Experimental
- Documentary
- Narrative
Winning entries often reflect the merits of two things. One, the film itself when viewed as a whole. Second, the professional quality of each part. Things such as script, dialogue, direction, cinematography, lighting, acting, editing and scoring.
Scholarships for Film Makers Interested in Television If you more a fan of the Emmys than the Oscars, there are scholarships too. Many providers want to support aspiring TV journalists.
One such provider is the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. NATAS offers a few scholarships for students interested in the television industry. There are awards for students in Chicago, the Upper Midwest, San Francisco, and the Northwest.
Video Contests
Other film scholarship opportunities are more like contests. They may be open to anyone who sends in a short video on a certain topic. These may not look at your grades, or financial need, only your message and how you convey it.
One example is the Pursuit Scholarship. Applicants submit a 5-minute video to enter for a chance to win $500 or $1,000. There are many more like this and you might apply to more than one at a time.
Grants for Film Makers
A film grant may be perfect if you need to complete a film for a college capstone. Like a scholarship, a grant is money you get and do not have to repay (assuming you meet the conditions).
If you are pursuing a degree in film or media, a grant might offset production costs. But it may not pay your tuition. Still, putting your film in the running might land you a few thousand dollars.
To apply, you usually need to submit a proposal. This means figuring out your story line. Plus, your budget for things like editing, filming and location.
Why Consider Film Scholarships?
If your goal is to produce a motion picture or TV show, it helps to have a college degree. A film studies degree might ready you with the skills to pursue a wide range of careers. You might choose to work as a producer, director, video or film editor for example.
Film and video editors earn an average of $61,450 in the motion picture and video industries. Job prospects are positive, but the field is competitive. Recent estimates point to 14% more job openings by 2028.
Working as a producer or director, you might earn about $71,680 per year. Demand is on-the-rise by 5% as streaming services and reality TV continue to lure viewers.
As exciting as it sounds, to get a film career off the ground takes money. At last check, the cost of pursuing a degree in film, cinema and video studies at a public in-state college is $8,091. Add the cost of film production and the numbers climb.
Luckily, there are many film scholarships to help you pay for college. Or, fund creative projects that make use of your talents and help you build a portfolio.
Your college may set scholarships aside for film majors. So, make sure when you apply to check them out. But there are many other providers to source too.
Top Upcoming Film Scholarships
Lights, camera, action! These top 11 film scholarships might help you parlay your filmmaking talents into money for college. Some are video contests and others entail a project that is larger in scope. Apply to the ones that match your goals.
NATAS-PSW Scholarship
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are residents of the Pacific Southwest region and are majoring in a television-related discipline.
2020
Film Grant Scholarships
The Film Grant Scholarships is available to US undergraduate and graduate level students to help support thesis film projects.
2021
NATAS Upper Midwest Chapter Scholarship
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors who are residents of the Upper Midwest area, including Minnesota, North or South Dakota, western Wisconsin and northern Iowa. Students must pursue a career in broadcasting, television or electronic media and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Jim McKay and Mike Wallace Memorial Scholarship
This award is for graduating U.S. high school seniors who intend to major in a communications-related degree at a four-year college or university.
Scripted Film Lab
The SmashCut Film Lab (formerly known as Liberty Lab for Film) is an advanced program. It is for those who have filmmaking, screenwriting, producing experience and want an opportunity to work alongside like-minded creatives. You’ll have the guidance of seasoned professionals like Daniel Knauf, (executive producer, NBC’s The Blacklist) screenwriters Bill Marsilii (Deja Vu, Cold), Paul Guay (Liar Liar), David H. Steinberg (American Pie 2) and Courtney Balaker (Little Pink House) in developing, wr...
Nikon Storytellers Scholarship
The Nikon Storytellers Scholarship is available for undergraduate and graduate students at an accredited, non-profit college/university or vocational/technical school in the United States or Canada. Applicants must be pursuing degrees in visual arts, fine arts, journalism, film, photography and multimedia/content creation who will have completed their freshman year of college or academic equivalent before the start of the current academic year.
BSU Letterman Telecommunications Scholarship
The Letterman scholarship is available for rising juniors and seniors at Ball State University who are majoring or minoring in telecommunications. Students must submit a creative telecommunications project.
King Family Foundation Scholarship
The Charles & Lucille King Family Foundation is offering a scholarship to college juniors and seniors who are majoring in television or film.
NATAS Southeast Regional Scholarship
The NATAS Southeast Scholarship program is available for students in Georgia and the Southeast as an investment in the future of the television industry.
IP Video Contest
This video contest is open to students ages 16 and older who are residents of the United States, the District of Columbia, or U.S. territories and possessions. Students must submit an orginal video on a topic relating to the importance of the patent system.
NATAS San Francisco/Northern California Peter J. Marino Scholarship
This award is available for U.S. college sophomores or juniors who attend a college or university in one of the following areas: Northern California (Visalia to the Oregon border); Hawaii; or Reno, Nevada. Students must pursue a career in media production.
Student Academy Awards
The Student Academy Awards (SAA) recognizes and honors student filmmakers who show their excellence in the creation of motion pictures. By awarding these outstanding achievements, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences strives to support and inspire emerging filmmakers and to foster growth and education in the art and science of motion pictures. Awards are given in 5 categories: Narrative, Animation, Alternative/Experimental, and Documentary.
Scholarship Types
- Athletic Scholarships
- College-Specific Scholarships
- Company-Sponsored Scholarships
- Grants for College
- Merit-Based Scholarships
- Minority Scholarships
- Our Scholarships
- Scholarship Contests & Sweepstakes
- Scholarships by Major
- Scholarships by State
- Scholarships by Type
- Scholarships for Graduate Students
- Scholarships for High School Students
- Scholarships for Undergraduate Students
- Weird Scholarships
Our Scholarships
- $1,500 - I Have a Dream Scholarship
- $10,000 - Unigo $10K Scholarship
- $1,500 - Sweet and Simple Scholarship
- $2,500 - Superpower Scholarship
- $3,000 - All About Education Scholarship
- $1,500 - Fifth Month Scholarship
- $1,500 - Do-Over Scholarship
- $1,500 - Flavor of the Month Scholarship
- $1,500 - Make Me Laugh Scholarship
- $1,500 - Shout It Out Scholarship
- $2,000 - Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship
- $5,000 - Education Matters Scholarship
- $1,500 - Top Ten List Scholarship