AFCOOP’s filmmaking grants support the production of local independent films through in-kind equipment and resources. There are grants that are open to the public as well as some that are only open to AFCOOP Full Members. For all grants, the individual applying must hold ownership and creative control of the project. Only Nova Scotia residents are eligible for grants.
Grant Categories
Grants are given out through a peer-jury process. Jury members are paid for their time. To learn more about our juries, please click the button below. If you’d like to participate on a future AFCOOP peer jury please email Henry: henry@afcoop.ca
There are two deadlines per year – August 1st and December 1st.
Applications will be accepted online only up until 11:59pm on the deadline day.
COVID-19 NOTE: Please note that any proposed film project will have to adhere to the provincial guidelines around social distancing and gathering size limits that are in effect when you plan to shoot. Given that the state of restrictions in the coming year is unknown, if needed, indicate how your project will adapt to changing guidelines (i.e. if your film includes a crowd scene or a scene in a bar, indicate how you would change that scene to shoot it without extensive background performers).
FIRST THING GRANT
Provides resources and training to make your first film including:
- $500 in-kind gear and facilities (valued at regular rates)
- “Intro to Filmmaking in Nova Scotia” workshop
- 2 x workshops of your choice
Associate Membership
- 3 x 1hr meetings with an AFCOOP mentor
Eligibility: Open to all applicants including non-members. This grant is intended for filmmakers with little or no experience. If you have made a few shorts on your own but feel like you would benefit from this support then you are certainly still eligible.
SUPER-8 BURSARY
Covers all costs associated with shooting a short Super-8 film including:
- Two rolls of colour or b&w Super-8 film from the AFCOOP fridge (exact stocks may vary, however we will try to accommodate specific requests)
- Super-8 camera rental (duration is flexible depending on the needs of the project)
- Shipping to and from the lab
- Film processing at a professional film lab
Digitization (this will be done in house at AFCOOP unless the filmmaker wishes to pay extra for a professional frame-by-frame scan at the lab)
Eligibility: Open to all applicants including non-members. This grant is suitable for beginners as well as established filmmakers. Super-8 is an accessible entry-level analogue format and AFCOOP staff will provide a camera tutorial/refresher if needed.
FEEDBACK LOOP
Provides professional mentorship from an AFCOOP member or community member for a project you are developing. Examples of types of support you might request include: production feedback from a producer or production manager, script feedback from a screenwriter, or feedback on your rough-cut from an editor. Mentors will be selected from senior AFCOOP members and the community based on the nature of your project. You are welcome to apply with a specific person in mind, however, we can’t guarantee we will be able to match you with that individual.
Eligibility: Open to all applicants including non-members.
ANALOGUE FILM GRANTS
Provides resources for the production of project involving analogue film (Super-8, 16mm or 35) including:
- $500 cash project support
- $2000 equipment in-kind gear and facilities (valued at regular rates)
- Ability to be covered under AFCOOP’s production insurance if needed
Eligibility: AFCOOP Full Members only.
INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS GRANT
Provides resources for the production of an independent film project including:
- $500 cash project support
- $2000 equipment in-kind gear and facilities (valued at regular rates)
- Ability to be covered under AFCOOP’s production insurance if needed
Eligibility: AFCOOP Full Members only. Please note that if this funding is being combined with other grants from Arts NS or Canada Council you will need to indicate if those grants are confirmed or pending and indicate how you would proceed with the project without that support.
PAST RECIPIENTS
Analogue Film Grant: Not Awarded
Feedback Loop: Ryan Kressall — The Night Run
First Thing Grant: Katarina Rutenberg — Over Easy
First Thing Grant: Akshay Shirke — Entrée
Independent Filmmakers Grant: Spencer MacKay — Lockdown Procedure Engaged
Super 8 Bursary: Anna Sparrow — GallowGate
DECEMBER 2020
Analogue Film Grant: Charles Wahl — Unquiet
Feedback Loop: Sarah Gignac
First Thing Grant: Zarvan Bigonah
First Thing Grant: Gwendolyn Geddes — Love to Love
Independent Filmmakers Grant: Madeline Toal
Super 8 Bursary: Sean Liam Galway — A Mystery Play
AUGUST 2020
Analogue Film Grant: Not Awarded
Feedback Loop: Lynn Matheson
First Thing Grant: Jacinte Armstrong
First Thing Grant: Sandrella Mohanna
Independent Filmmakers Grant: Abner Collette
Super 8 Bursary: Sarah MacArthur
December 2019
Analogue Film Grant: Tamar Dina — Miriam Horse Carmella Flowers
Feedback Loop: Terri Smith-Fraser — Oh Deer
First Thing Grant: Ella Buckler — Shattered
First Thing Grant: Sam Vigneault — Sleep Paralysis
Independent Filmmakers Grant: Bailey Kinnear — Mazes
Super 8 Bursary: Rose Schoonhoven — Portrait Documentry: John and Kalana Schoonhoven
August 2019
Analogue Film Grant: Israel Ekanem — Gottingen 2020
Feedback Loop: Israel Ekanem — The Man who Loved Flowers
First Thing Grant: Not Awarded
First Thing Grant: Not Awarded
Independent Filmmakers Grant: Gwydion Morris — Deadstick John
Super 8 Bursary: Hillary Titley — I Can Only Speak for Myself
December 2018
Analogue Film Grant: Rena Thomas
First Thing Grant: Erik Coates
Independent Filmmakers Grant: Henry Colin
Super 8 Bursary: Drew Meade
August 2018
Analogue Film Grant: Lisa Morse
Feedback Loop: Tamar Dina
First Thing Grant: Nicole Slaunwhite
First Thing Grant: Kelly Li
Independent Filmmakers Grant: Bill Chernin
Super 8 Bursary: Kelsey Power
December 2017
Analogue Film Grant: Todd Fraser
First Thing Grant: Jack Leahy
Independent Filmmakers Grant: Nicole C. Holland
Super 8 Bursary: Kate Ward