Tips for CAAM Funding – Deadline is Nov. 20

The deadline is Friday to apply to CAAM Documentaries For Social Change Fund!  And ITVS’s Open Call has begun sooner than expected. Funded applicants can receive up to $350,000 for a standalone documentary.

Thanks in advance to past CAAM funding recipients for these tips:

• If you’ve already written a boilerplate Core Documentary Proposal (the IDA template), applying shouldn’t take too long. That said, be prepared to explain additional questions, such as how you’ll be accountable to the specific Asian American community you’re covering.

• Some filmmakers observe CAAM moving toward topics that would easily fit into PBS  series such as POV, American Masters, American Experience, etc.

• Filmmakers exploring lesser-covered Asian American communities may have an advantage since they target under-served audiences.

• If you have relationships with big-name institutions, leverage them. This will appeal to CAAM’s desire to co-market and co-brand.

• Work hard on the often underrated, 2-sentence log line. What’s your film about and why does it matter? We can help write a catchy logline and a vivid narrative summary.

• CAAM funding is not a grant, so don’t call it that. (Same goes for ITVS funding).

Good luck!