The Jewish Film Institute (JFI) Completion Grants support independent film and media projects that probe nuanced and surprising corners of Jewish life, history, culture, and identity. Grants provide critical resources for filmmakers to accelerate the final stages of their films.

Launched in 2020 to mark JFI’s 40th anniversary and to address the growing need for Jewish film funding nationally and internationally, the Grants advocate for films that challenge stereotypes and conventions, spark impactful conversations about Jewish life, and innovate storytelling forms. JFI has distributed $250,000 in grants to 19 projects since 2020.

Awards & Prizes

In 2023, JFI will award $75,000 in Completion Grants to groundbreaking features, shorts, episodic programs, or web series, in fiction, documentary, and animation that offer fresh, nuanced, and thought-provoking explorations of Jewish themes. Projects with potential to entertain and engage, turn conversation into action, and reframe understanding of Jewish cultures and identities are competitive.

Individual grants range from $5,000-$30,000.

Rules & Terms

• Grants are given only for completion. To be competitive, projects must be in post-production with a strong rough or fine cut. Projects in development, script-development, pre-production, production, or early post-production will not be considered.

• Applicant must hold artistic, budgetary, and editorial control and maintain copyright of the proposed project. Grants are given only to filmmakers with creative and financial control of their projects.

• Sample work must be in English or subtitled in English.

• In case of collaboration, a sole project director must be designated as the applicant.

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

• Applicants do not need to be Jewish but projects must reflect thoughtful consideration of Jewish history, life, culture, or identity.

• All applicants will receive a complimentary 1 year Filmmaker Membership to the Jewish Film Institute.