The Jewish Film Institute's Filmmakers in Residence Program is a year-long, competitive artist residency providing creative, marketing, and production support for emerging and established filmmakers working on documentaries that explore and expand thoughtful consideration of Jewish history, life, culture, and identity. The programming is virtual except for a gathering in July at the annual San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. Though the projects must have Jewish content, the filmmakers do not need to be Jewish to be considered.

Applicants located in the San Francisco Bay Area will also have the opportunity to apply for in-kind editing space at the Ninth Street Independent Film Center. Office space availability is subject to San Francisco public health guidelines.

Filmmakers can participate in the Residency from any country or state as long as they can commit to attending virtual meetings and workshops programmed at Pacific Time in the U.S.

For more information, visit: www.jfi.org/filmmakers

The Jewish Film Institute (JFI) is a nonprofit organization located in San Francisco, CA that champions bold films and filmmakers that expand and evolve the Jewish story for audiences everywhere. JFI does this through the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, year-round exhibitions, its Completion Grants and Filmmakers in Residence programs, and its educational and archival programs. For more information on JFI, please visit www.jfi.org.

Awards & Prizes

JFI Residents:

• Participate in monthly cohort meetings
• Attend capacity-enhancing workshops with industry professionals and experts
consult with JFI staff on industry best practices in marketing, fundraising, production, and exhibition
• Refine their project pitches through mentorship and a pitch forum
• Get passes to all JFI programs and events
• Receive a travel stipend for an annual in-person convening at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival,
• Are featured in JFI promotional materials (newsletters, social media, etc.)
• Have access to the Ninth Street Independent Film Center's on-site screening room and editing space.
• Receive a complimentary JFI Membership
(Already a member? Email us at jfifilmmakers@jfi.org for a waiver.)

Rules & Terms

Eligibility

· Independent feature or short-form documentary projects in any form (including animation, web, series, hybrid, etc.) are eligible.
· Projects can be in any stage but the filmmaker must have some footage to show and be ready and willing to workshop their project.
• Filmmakers must have copyright and creative control.
• Filmmakers can commit to up to 10 hours a month for cohort meetings and workshops.
• Attendance is required at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival during the last week of July.
• Student, educational, and promotional projects are not eligible for the Residency.
•  Filmmaker may not be an JFI employee or member of the JFI board and must be at least 18 years old. 
• Filmmakers must agree to offer JFI a "first look" and first right of refusal for potential Bay Area premiere at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival and/or other JFI exhibition venues. (Please note: this is for Bay Area premiere only)
• Resident must agree to acknowledge support by the Jewish Film Institute  in onscreen, web and printed materials.

Please note that JFI grants are not solely for Bay Area residents. They are open to filmmakers nationally and/or internationally who are able to fulfill the requirements set forth by each grant.

Selections are made by Jewish Film Institute's staff based on artistic merit, the strength of the filmmaking team, the status of the project, the likelihood that it will be completed, and the project's alignment with JFI's mission.

If the application fee is a barrier to apply, please email us.