Funding

Grant

Program dates

TBA

Fellowship•Remote

AXS Film Fund

AXS Lab

Application Deadline

Closed · July 31, 2026

Reopens ~Jul 2027

Official Page

The AXS Film Fund is a grant run by AXS Lab, a US nonprofit, that backs documentary filmmakers and nonfiction new-media creators — with a focus on creators from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds who identify as living with a disability. Each year 3–5 creators receive funding that can be put toward a feature-length documentary or a nonfiction new-media project at any point in its life, from pre-production through distribution. Money follows the project rather than a residency, so recipients keep working wherever they are based. Applications are reviewed first by staff for eligibility and then by an external panel of expert reviewers.

Benefits & funding

  • Grant of up to $10,000 (USD) per project.
  • 3–5 creators funded each cycle.
  • Funds may support any production stage: pre-production, production, post-production, or distribution.
  • A separate stipend of up to $500 (first-come, first-served, pre-approval required) is available to hire an application assistant for those who need accessibility support with the application itself.

Eligibility

  • Open to documentary filmmakers and nonfiction new-media creators; the applicant must be the project’s director or producer.
  • Creators who identify as living with a disability — visible or not — are encouraged; identifying as disabled is self-determined and not formally required, and all applicants are welcome.
  • Applicants must be 18 or older.
  • Applicants cannot be enrolled in a degree-granting program.
  • Applicants apply as individuals but may work through a fiscal sponsor.
  • Eligible projects: feature-length documentaries (45+ minutes) or nonfiction new-media works with a film/video component; non-English projects need English subtitles.
  • Fiction and narrative work — including narrative films based on a true story — are not eligible. One application per applicant; one grant per project.
  • The fund states no nationality or residency restriction.

Can you apply?

Worth a closer look

Sign in and add your profile to check this against your nationality, residency, and studies.

  • Age requirement

    ≥ 18 yrs

    Not in your profile yet

Sign in to check eligibility

We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.

Application process

  1. 1
    Review the fund’s guidelines on the What We Fund, How to Apply and FAQ pages.
  2. 2
    If you need accessibility support or an application assistant, email the fund before 24 July 2026 to arrange it.
  3. 3
    Create an account and complete the application on the online portal (axsfilmfundapply.smapply.us); no letter of inquiry is required.
  4. 4
    Submit before the deadline; staff check eligibility, then an external panel reviews shortlisted projects.

Program timeline

  1. Application portal opens.

    1 June 2026

  2. Deadline to request application assistance or accessibility support.

    24 July 2026

  3. Application deadline (11:59 pm ET).

    31 July 2026

  4. Applicants notified of decisions.

    Early spring 2027