Resources for Filmmakers and Artists During the COVID-19 Outbreak

by Chase Harrison on March 19, 2020 in Budgeting

In an effort to highlight the work being done by mission-aligned organizations and others dedicated to supporting the independent film community and artists at large during the COVID-19 pandemic, we at IFP have put together a brief list of resource pages and opportunities we’ve found particularly useful and inspiring in these uncertain times.

Update – June 2020 New Resource:

The Documentary Impact Producer Relief Fund Administered by Doc Society with support from Perspective Fund, The Documentary Impact Producer Relief Fund will provide grants of up to $4,000 to help alleviate the acute hardships faced by freelance impact producers working anywhere in the world in this time of economic uncertainty. Freelance and sole-proprietor impact producers, especially those from under resourced and underrepresented groups, are uniquely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic which has exacerbated the spectrum of historic inequalities they face. While emergency relief resources alone cannot address long-term career stability, the intent of this fund is to ensure impact producers, who we believe are vital to the documentary ecosystem, remain financially stable enough to continue this important work. Application deadline for first round of funding June 8. Additional rounds in July & August. https://docimpactproducersrelieffund.org/index.php

Resources:

Cinema Worker Solidarity Fund
- A fund dedicated to movie theater employees in NYC whose hours have been curtailed by the crisis and who are not being otherwise compensated.
Field of Vision Virtual Mentorship & Consultation Service
- Weekly “office hours” with Field of Vision staff meant to provide support to documentary filmmakers, especially those whose production schedules or festival premieres have been affected by the crisis.
Women Make Movies
- Filmmaker & Artist Resources
  - Resources for filmmakers and freelance artists who are experiencing a loss or reduction of wages due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
- List of Regional Resources
  - An expansive list of non-profit organizations, state film offices & local arts councils, and cinemas around the country, organized by region.
Dear Producer
- Resources that focus on producers and artists, as well as resources for community organizing.
Freelancers Union Resource List
- Our neighbors at the Freelancers Union and Hub have made a comprehensive rundown of the many resources for freelance workers hit hard during this time
Freelance Artist Resources
- An aggregated list of free resources, opportunities, and financial relief options available to artists of all disciplines.
Creative Capital
- A growing list of resources for artists working in all disciplines, as well as arts philanthropists, and arts professionals.
New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA)
- NYFA has compiled a list of emergency artist grants in New York and beyond.
New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA)
- Resources for arts and cultural organizations based here in New York and elsewhere.
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
- Frequently updated news and resources for artists and arts organizations around the country.

Filmmaker Magazine articles Filmmaker Magazine, published by IFP, has a variety of resources for filmmakers, screenwriters, producers, and others in the film and TV industries. Microbudget

Screenwriting

Financing

Production

Post-Production

Distribution