29 May - 27 June, 2025
$25,000 - $75,000
The IDA Enterprise Documentary Fund supports in-depth explorations of original, contemporary stories that integrate journalistic practice into the filmmaking process.
Mission and Objective
The IDA Enterprise Documentary Fund was established address the needs of independent documentarians working on high-stakes storytelling, traditionally the realm of legacy media. The fund prioritizes projects that combat misinformation on social media and other platforms, adhering to journalistic principles such as fact-checking and rigorous research to reveal verifiable truths.
The fund has expanded to support filmmakers globally, emphasizing the urgent need for press freedom and facts-based storytelling worldwide.
Applicant Eligibility
- Must be the director and/or producer with creative and editorial control of the project.
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Must be an independent filmmaker, defined as owning the copyright and having full artistic, budgetary, and editorial control of the project.
- Open to applicants worldwide.
- Non-U.S. applicants without a U.S.-based crew member to accept funds must have a Fiscal Sponsor if awarded.
- At least one director/producer must have directed/produced two feature-length films (40 minutes or longer).
- Membership in IDA is not required.
Project Eligibility
- Proposal must include an online work sample of 10-15 minutes, with captions. Rough cuts are not reviewed.
Film must be in production; funds are for production costs only. - Principal research and development should be completed.
- Access to major film participants must be secured.
- Intended for a large, broad audience.
- Stories must be original, contemporary, and critically important.
- Not eligible: Biographies, branded content, student films, completed films, purely historical films, and short documentaries (under 40 minutes).
Open Call Worldwide
Benefits
- Financial Support: Grants ranging from $25,000 to $75,000 for production costs, enabling filmmakers to focus on creating high-quality content.
- Global Reach: Open to applicants worldwide, promoting diverse voices and stories from various regions.
- Journalistic Integrity: Supports projects that integrate journalistic practices, ensuring accurate and reliable storytelling.
- Access to Resources: Provides access to IDA’s network of resources, including educational programming and advocacy support.
- Independent Filmmaker Support: Helps filmmakers maintain their independent voices and artistic visions while ensuring factual accuracy.
- Continued Support: Ongoing IDA support beyond the initial grant period until the film is complete, including annual reporting and budget updates.
