Completed applications can be submitted at any time before the deadline. Applications must be completed via the CISF portal and submitted by July 15, 2024, 8:59 pm PT / 11:59 pm ET. Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Black people: people who trace their roots to Sub-Saharan Africa including those with origins in the United States, Caribbean and Latin America 

People of Colour: people who are from one or more of the following communities: 

• Latin Americans (Latino, Latina, Latinx) 
• Middle-Easterns and North Africans
• South Asians 
• Southeast Asians 
• East Asians 
• Pacific Islanders
• Multiracial (a combination of any of the above categories or any of the above categories with White or European ancestry)

No. Projects cannot have any existing development or production commitments.

No. Writers can only apply with one submission to the Fund.

Yes, to be eligible for the program, you must:

1. Have a writer credit  on at least one of the following:
   • One episode of a TV show that has been broadcast;
   • A feature or short film that has been released theatrically or premiered at an international film festival;  List of eligible festivals .
2. A writer credit on at least one of the following:
   • A short doc, a feature doc, or short film that has been released on a professional broadcast or streaming platform (i.e., not user-generated), theatrically, or premiered at an international film festival;  List of eligible festivals 

A sample of your previous screen-based work, such as a script for a TV hour or half hour series (not including news programming); multiple episodes of a web, animation or children series (20+ pages); or a short or feature film. Samples are not required to have been broadcast on TV or released theatrically. We encourage you to submit a sample that best reflects your voice as a screenwriter.

NOTE: Scripted writing samples are not required to have been broadcast on TV or released theatrically. We encourage you to submit a sample that best reflects your voice as a writer.

Include a one-page synopsis of a previous documentary film that has been broadcast on TV, released theatrically or premiered at an international film festival. List of eligible festivals. 

• You must include your credit on the film, dates of broadcast, release, or premiere, and name of broadcaster or exhibitor.
• In order for all projects to be fairly assessed please do NOT include pitch documents in your application.

The lead writer of the project should be the one  applying and must be BPOC and meet all other eligibility requirements.

No, you should be  the lead writer of the project and you are not required to have a producer or team attached to be eligible to apply.

No, you do not have to be incorporated

No, the project must have no existing development or production commitments prior to applying for the fund.

No, revisions will not be accepted once a project is submitted.

No, submissions will not be returned and no feedback will be provided to unsuccessful applicants.

Successful applicants in the scripted category will receive funding to complete:

• A polished, industry-ready pilot script for your television series (including writing an outline, first draft and second draft).
• A series outline that includes short episode breakdowns for the first season.
• A professional pitch deck that includes a logline, character descriptions, series overview, episode summaries, and visual style.
• A prepared pitch presentation ready to be delivered to commissioners, producers and potential investors.

Successful applicants in the documentary category will receive funding to complete:

• A polished and comprehensive  proposal ready for pitching to producers or networks. 
• A thorough research portfolio that includes all relevant background information, interviews, and sources that support the documentary’s narrative. 
• A 2-min demo, trailer or character reel.  A detailed treatment  that includes key elements such as the logline, synopsis, character descriptions, visual style, writer’s connection to the subject and target audience. 
• A final presentation or pitch session where participants present their developed projects to a panel of industry experts for feedback and potential opportunities.

Successful applicants will be assigned a script advisor for the duration of the program. This advisor will work with the applicant to ensure that the project is at the best possible place at each stage of the program.

Applicants will also receive pitch training.