The Pandora Short Film Grant is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that awards an annual prize of $30,000 worth of cash, equipment, and services to one Winner and three Finalist early-career US filmmakers for the production of their short, narrative film.
Sponsors include PANAVISION, KODAK, and ATHOS.
We also connect our Winner and Finalists with acclaimed, award-winning filmmakers for mentorship.
We accept projects that are at script stage as well projects that have already filmed and are looking for finishing funds.
Our Grant is open to all US early-career filmmakers. We kindly ask you to not apply if youโve directed a feature film with a budget over $250K or directed or produced television. This allows us to give a shot to someone who hasnโt been heard from yet. We put more weight on artistic vision than long film-industry resumes. The Winner and Finalists are chosen blindly based on script and supporting project materials with no consideration of age, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.
๐ง๐๐ ๐ช๐๐ก๐ก๐๐ฅ ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ฆ:
โข๐ฐ $12,000 cash to make their film.
โข๐ฅ $15,000 Gold Package donation of PANAVISION equipment.
โข๐๏ธ $1,000 KODAK Grant to go towards film stock and/or services at one of Kodakโs film labs.
โข๐ค Mentorship from an acclaimed, award-winning filmmaker from our mentor roster.
โข๐ธ Fiscal sponsorship (making it easier to raise money for their film).
______________________________________________
๐ฏ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ฆ๐ง๐ฆ ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ฉ๐:
โข๐ฅ Special consideration given to enter PANAVISIONโs New Filmmaker Program wherein theyโd receive discounted or complimentary camera equipment.
โขโ๏ธ $500 off production insurance through ATHOS.
โข๐ค Mentorship from an acclaimed, award-winning filmmaker from our mentor roster.
โข๐ธ Fiscal sponsorship (making it easier to raise money for their film).
______________________________________________
๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ ๐ ๐๐ก๐ง๐ข๐ฅ๐ฆ:
โข ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ'๐๐ is an award-winning filmmaker known for her visually striking and emotionally intimate work across narrative film and documentary filmmaking. Her feature film, HONEY BOY, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and received widespread critical acclaim. Almaโs unique voice and experience crafting deeply personal stories make her an inspiring mentor for emerging filmmakers.
โข ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐จ๐๐๐๐๐จ๐๐ฅ is an acclaimed director working across film, theater, and television, known for her emotionally precise and character-driven storytelling. Her feature directorial debut, CAUSEWAY, starring Jennifer Lawrence, premiered at TIFF to widespread critical acclaim. In addition to her celebrated theater work, Lila has directed episodes of acclaimed television including MAID and THE BEAST IN ME, making her an extraordinary mentor for emerging filmmakers developing character-driven work.
โข ๐๐๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ก ๐ช๐ข๐๐๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐ก is an award-winning filmmaker whose work has played at Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, and Berlinale. In addition to festival-darling shorts and her feature, THE STRANGE ONES, she has directed TV shows such as THE BONDSMAN and Y: THE LAST MAN. Laurenโs experience across both independent film and television, combined with her distinct visual style and emotionally rich storytelling, makes her an exciting mentor for emerging filmmakers.
โข ๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐๐๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐๐ก๐ง๐ญ is a writer and director whose work has screened at major festivals including Tribeca and Sundance. Her feature, GOOD GIRL JANE, premiered in U.S. Narrative Competition at the 2022 Tribeca Festival, where it won the Founders Award for Best U.S. Narrative Feature. Known for emotionally honest storytelling and deeply personal filmmaking, Sarah brings a thoughtful and distinctive creative voice to her work, making her an inspiring mentor for emerging filmmakers.
โข ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ is an independent filmmaker whose work blends emotionally grounded storytelling with sharp humor and deeply human characters. His feature LEMONADE BLESSING premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Festival and went on to win the Audience Award for Best Comedy at the Newport Beach Film Festival. Chris brings firsthand experience crafting personal, character-driven films within the independent film world, making him an insightful mentor for emerging filmmakers.
