The Reach Film Fellowship (RFF) is a specialized program for emerging filmmakers who are making artful, socially relevant short films. Learn how to apply here.

Four filmmakers per year are selected to receive a $5,000 grant, production support, and seven months of mentorship, career advising and industry exposure as they progress through the entire production and post-production process and prepare for submissions to festivals and distributors. Watch the behind-the-scenes video from RFF 2010 for an inside look at the 2010 program.

The fellowship is open to early-career filmmakers who have studied film at the undergraduate or graduate level, or are self-taught with the equivalent level of experience. Applicants must have completed at least one short film and must live in or near New York City during the course of the Fellowship cycle (August 2010 – April 2011). Please see the Program Guidelines and FAQ pages for more detail on eligibility.

Want to distribute your film with the leading filmmaker-run distribution collective? Submit to New Day Films!

New Day Films is a filmmaker-run distribution company providing award-winning films to educators since 1971. Democratically run by more than 100 filmmaker members, New Day delivers over 150 titles that illuminate, challenge and inspire.

Collectively, New Day titles have won an Academy Award, 9 Academy Award nominations, 4 Emmys, and hundreds of awards at prestigious film festivals. Our films have been broadcast on PBS, HBO and other media outlets. Because we both make and distribute our own films, we are equally committed to making high quality films and to finding and engaging the audience that can most benefit from them.

AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women (DWW) has been a major force in training women in narrative filmmaking since 1974. Over 225 women have been given the opportunity to participate in this innovative and unique training program for tomorrow’s directors. Some DWW alumnae include Maya Angelou (DOWN IN THE DELTA); Neema Barnette (GILMORE GIRLS, CIVIL BRAND); Tricia Brock (SAVING GRACE); Jennifer Getzinger (MAD MEN); Lesli Linka Glatter (MAD MEN, HOUSE); Deb Hagan (COLLEGE); Randa Haines (CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD, DANCE WITH ME); Victoria Hochberg (SEX AND THE CITY, GHOST WHISPERER); Matia Karrell (WEST WING); and Becky Smith (HOW TO LOOK GOOD NAKED).

The schedule for the 2010 Directing Workshop for Women is:

January 18 Application deadline (postmark)
By February 15 Finalists notified
February 15 – 26 Finalists interviewed
By March 19 Participants notified
May 10 – May 28 Training Workshop
June – July Production Shoots
July – September Editing