The Studio IX Mother Project FAQs

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

The COVID-19 pandemic could force a generation of moms out of the workforce. We’re launching The Studio IX Mother Project to ensure womxn documentary filmmakers stay in the game. Through this initiative, Studio IX will provide financial support to mothers to help cover the cost of childcare while they are on set, need to spend time producing or editing, attend festivals or other networking events, or do anything else that will help them finish their film.

WHO IS BEHIND THE FUND?

The Studio IX Mother project was designed by Studio IX (Pronounced Studio Nine,) a nonprofit organization working to change the representation of womxn in front of and behind the camera by finding, funding, and supporting the next generation of leaders in nonfiction film.

Our name is a nod to Title IX. Title IX leveled the playing field for women in the academic and athletic arena. At Studio IX, we’re working to level the playing field in film to ensure everyone’s right to create.

We’re working to equip emerging women and nonbinary filmmakers with the resources, confidence, and funding needed to create impactful documentary shorts, strategically designed to break into the industry, and build a sustainable career.

We help our grantees develop the work and portfolio needed to break into the industry, and we provide training, development, and educational programming to ensure they thrive, lead and help transform it once they're there.

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We developed and strive to administer this grant with the driving principles of equity, inclusion, and respect. If you have suggestions about how we could improve our process, please let us know.

The current round of grants has been made possible by our friends at Show&Tell, an educational and virtual event platform meant to support documentary filmmakers as they creatively fundraise for and distribute their films.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE GRANT?

To be eligible for this fund, you must be able to say TRUE to the following statements

I identify as a woman (regardless of gender assigned at birth,) transgender or nonbinary.
I am a director currently working on a documentary film (short, feature, series, etc.) able to demonstrate commitment to my work and film in progress.
I am a parent and caregiver to a child (or children) under the age of 13. (Adoptive and foster parents included)
I am experiencing financial need due to or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
I am 21 years or older.
I am based in the US and I can provide an SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

HOW MUCH ARE THE GRANTS?

This round of grants will be available to ten filmmakers, each eligible for up to $1,000.

Please Note: these grants may be taxable under the law. Please consult an accountant or legal expert.

WHAT CAN THESE GRANTS BE USED FOR?

These grants are designed for working moms to use to help them get their films done. We anticipate the vast majority of the funds will be used for childcare, when a mom needs to go on a shoot, spend time focusing on an edit, attend a festival or workshop, etc. Applicants will need to outline what the grant will be used for in the application and will be required to provide documentation of how funds were ultimately spent.

HOW LONG WILL THE APPLICATIONS BE OPEN?

The grant will be open September 9, 2021 - October 8, 2021. Applicants can apply at any time during this window and we encourage early submissions.

HOW WILL THE GRANTEES BE SELECTED?

All eligible applicants will be entered into a pool at the close of the application. A team of reviewers will process the applications and select grantees based on need and qualifications, and adjust as needed to ensure representation from particularly vulnerable communities.

HOW QUICKLY WILL RECIPIENTS BE NOTIFIED IF THEY ARE SELECTED? AND HOW QUICKLY WILL THEY RECEIVE THE FUNDS?

It may take 2-4 weeks to process your application (from the close of the application, not from the time you submitted.)

We will work as quickly as possible to respond to applications once decisions have been made. If we need further information, we will contact you directly.

If you are selected as a recipient, we will work to get you the funds within 14 days of signing a simple contract and receiving your final information.

WILL MY APPLICATION AND INFORMATION BE CONFIDENTIAL?

We will limit the disclosure of your personal information to the Studio IX leadership team and selection committee. If selected, we do ask that you provide some information for public release (such as your name, photo, and some information about your film) however, we will inform you of this beforehand and only publish that which has been approved.