Reel Sisters Film Fellowship 2025 | How to Apply
Are you a woman of color filmmaker with a powerful story to tell? The Reel Sisters Film Fellowship is your chance to bring your vision to life! This prestigious program offers $5,000 to produce a short film or web series pilot, providing mentorship, exposure, and industry connections to elevate your career.
Why Apply?
- Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series is the first Academy-qualifying festival dedicated to women filmmakers. This fellowship will give you:
$5,000 to produce a short film or web series pilot.
Guidance from experienced mentors to help you create a high-quality micro-budget film.
Guaranteed world premiere at the Reel Sisters Film Festival—an Oscar-qualifying event.
Exposure on Reel Sisters Tea & Cinema, a virtual platform for emerging filmmakers.
One-on-one consultations to help you navigate production and distribution.
A featured article in African Voices magazine, amplifying your work to a wider audience.
Who Can Apply?
Reel Sisters welcomes women of color and non-binary filmmakers of color, including those of African, Caribbean, Latina, Asian, Indian, and Native American descent. Writing teams are encouraged to apply, as long as one member meets the eligibility criteria.
Genres Accepted
- Animation
- Documentary
- Narrative
- Comedy
- Sci-Fi
Key Deadlines & Application Fee
Extended Deadline: September 30, 2025
Winner Announcement: December 15, 2025
Application Fee: $25 (Processing & reading fee)
What You Need to Submit
Your application must include:
Introduction (700 words max): Your journey as a storyteller, why you chose filmmaking, and how this fellowship will impact your career.
Logline (75 words max): A one- to two-sentence pitch of your story.
Synopsis (350 words max): A concise summary of your script, including key characters and story arc.
Screenplay (15 pages max): A pilot script or short film screenplay.
Production Schedule Draft: A rough plan for your shoot (to be revised if selected).
Scripts must be original, written in English, and follow standard screenplay formatting. The story should focus on richly developed, multidimensional characters—especially strong female leads.
Why Reel Sisters?
Founded in 1997, Reel Sisters is a top women-centered film festival (#3 on Film Daily’s Top 10 list). The festival supports emerging women filmmakers, providing funding, mentorship, and a global platform.
If you’re serious about launching your film career, this is your opportunity! Apply now and take the next step toward bringing your story to the screen.
How to Apply
Submit your application via Film Freeway with all required materials in a single PDF document.
For more details, visit www.africanvoices.com.
Don’t miss this chance—APPLY NOW!
