The Sun Valley Film Festival developed the 1 Potato Short Film Production Grant to support emerging filmmakers and incentivize filmmaking in the state of Idaho. Whether you have a pitch for a short documentary, or you want to write a script with the competition in mind, SVFF and the 6th annual 1 Potato want to hear your story, and help the winner take their idea from page to screen.

The 1 potato accepts production grant submissions from all US filmmakers for documentary or narrative short films (live-action).

The competition is open to all levels of experience. The winner and finalists are chosen blindly based on script and pitch materials with no consideration of age, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

Projects submitting for the 1 Potato Short Film Production Grant must submit a screenplay written in English and a pitch deck for narrative projects or a pitch deck for documentary projects.

All projects must have a story that can be filmed in Idaho. DO NOT SUBMIT UNLESS YOU ARE ABLE TO COMMIT TO FILMING IN IDAHO.

We do not seek to obtain any rights over your script or the finished film at any time. For those who take the funding, we ask for a production credit and access to promotional material for the short film to promote the project and Fund in the future.

Awards & Prizes

The winning 1 Potato short script/documentary pitch will be announced at the 2025 Sun Valley Film Festival.
Grand Prize Winner: Cash production grant of $5,000, support from the SVFF team from development through exhibition, and winner laurels.
Top 5 Finalists (unproduced scripts): Feedback on their scripts from one of our esteemed Judges, Finalist laurels.

As a partner on the film, SVFF will:
• Connect the winner with seasoned Idaho-based production participants
• Provide a screening slot for film's world premiere at SVFF 2026
• help build awareness for the film as it begins its festival journey.

Rules & Terms

WHAT TO SUBMIT
Narrative: Submit a screenplay written in English AND a concise deck/look book for the film.
Documentary: Submit a pitch deck for the film.

HOW TO UPLOAD DOCUMENTS
Submit using the Files & Attachments section of the submitted project page.
Create a "Script Project" to upload a script file as the main project file.
Then in the "Files & Attachments" section upload a pitch deck document.

RULES & TERMS
• The Sun Valley Film Festival reserves the right to determine eligibility of any project submitted.
• Narrative script must be 8 pages or less.
• Final films must be 10 minutes or less.
• All projects must have a story set in and filmed in Idaho.
• Participants must be at least 18 years of age.
• Without exception, the winning script MUST BE FILMED IN IDAHO; do not submit your project unless you are able to commit to filming in Idaho.
• The winning film team will work with the Sun Valley Film Festival to establish goals and deadlines to ensure the completion of the project.
• While additional fundraising is encouraged, the script must be feasible to film on a limited budget.
• The Sun Valley Film Festival will receive a Made In Association With credit, as well as end credit scroll logo placement.
• The finalized film must have its world premiere at the Sun Valley Film Festival the following year.
* All submitted screenplays must be the writer’s original work. If a writing team enters, both/all writers must consent. Documentary pitches must ensure the rights to the the story have been granted where required.
* The decision of SVFF is final. By applying to the Sun Valley Film Festival 1 Potato Short Film Production Grant each participant agrees to hold SVFF, our judges, and sponsors immune from any competition disputes, claims, liabilities, and expenses.