Applying For A Film Grant
The TSF makes $10,000 available every year to help support our members filming projects
Welcome to the TSF Film Grants application process. It’s important to read through the entire Film Grant Rules listed below. This will help you understand the process around applying and the amounts you can apply for.
IMPORTANT: TSF Film grants are only available to TSF members, so to continue your application you'll need to either login to your account or join us using the buttons below:
How Much Money is Available?
There are four funding rounds per year, each quarter having $2,500 allocated. A single grant application can be for any amount between $100 and $1,000.
For each funding round, TSF will try to approve the grants in the amounts of: 1x $1000 grant, 2 x $500 grants, 2 x $250 grants.
What Can It Be Used For?
TSF Film Grant money can only be used for typical “one-time only” per-production expenses, for example: food, travel, props, cast and crew fees, location expenses, equipment rental, etc.
Important: Funding can NOT be used to purchase equipment or software.
Any TSF grant funds that are not accounted for or spent must be refunded to TSF within 30 days of production completion.
Who Can Apply For It?
TSF Film Grants are only available to TSF members, who must also ensure they continue to both adhere to the TSF code of conduct and follow the grant requirements.
Film projects funded by a TSF Film Grant must also meet a minimum TSF membership involvement, (relative to the size of the project).
Grants will be made available on a first come/first served basis.
Most TSF film grant applications will be approved except where too many applications come through in one round, or where the minimum creative and membership involvement standards are not met. If there are too many applications for funding in one round, the last submitted applications will be deferred to the next funding round. (Funding for those will then be released when that next round opens.)
Who Approves The Applications?
Applications will be assessed quickly and approved or declined by one Nelson/Tasman assessor, and one Blenheim/Kaikoura assessor. If an assessor is attached to any application, they will excuse themselves and the other assessor will judge that application. The current two assessors are long term TSF members Aaron Falvey and Tim Hawthorne.
(Button opens a new tab/window. - Last updated May 2021.)
Ready To Get Started?
You will need the following documents and information ready to complete the application process:
1. Your Film Script
You'll need your finished Film Script (saved as a PDF File) which you'll upload during the next step of the application process.
2. A Project Budget
We need to see a rough breakdown of the costs associated with your film project. You'll be asked a series of questions about your predicted production expenses.
3. Production Information
We need details of the team on your project including who are TSF members, plus info like your Film Logline (a short sentence about your film), Film Synopsis (short story about your film) and dates and location/s you plan on shooting.
Can't See the Button to Start?
If you're not logged in as a member of the TSF, you won't be able to apply for a grant.
