All too often, promising indie filmmakers burst onto the scene with an incredible debut, only to toil for years or even decades to complete a sophomore feature and beyond.
The CAPE x TAAF Rising Filmmakers Finishing Fund provides 2 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander (AANHPI) filmmakers with $50,000 post-production finishing fund grants for their 2nd to 5th feature film.
The two grantees selected to receive the finishing funds will also receive coveted networking opportunities through the CAPE and TAAF networks, as well as Filmmaker Pro Memberships from Film Independent.
By addressing this crucial step of securing funding for post-debut features, CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) and The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) aim to support the career longevity of AANHPI filmmakers.
SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Submissions for the CAPE x TAAF Rising Filmmakers Finishing Fund are open now until Monday, March 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM PT.
TAAF will cover application fees for the inaugural year of the Finishing Fund.
What you will need in order to complete your submission:
Links to your director reel, IMDb page, and screener for one previous feature film you directed (of your choice).
A signed release form for your project.
Your project's script, pitch deck, and budget/finance plan (PDF only)
Your project's timeline (text only).
List of cast and crew (text only).
A link to the rough cut of your project, if available.
Eligibility Requirements
Filmmaker Eligibility:
Applicant’s work should be consistent with CAPE’s mission to champion diversity by educating, connecting, and empowering API artists and leaders in entertainment and media.
Applicant must be at least 18 years old at time of submission.
Applicant must have the legal right to accept paid work in the United States. CAPE/TAAF do not sponsor or assist with visas or immigration. Applying to and/or participating in this Finishing Fund does not and will not create a partnership, joint venture, agency, employment, or any other such relationship between applicant and CAPE/TAAF.
Applicant must have premiered at a festival at least one live-action narrative feature film before the time of submission. All genres accepted.
Teams of up to two co-directors may apply, and in line with CAPE’s mission, those who identify as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander are strongly encouraged to apply. Only one director, who meets all grant eligibility requirements, need apply.
Student projects are eligible if applicant meets all eligibility requirements.
Project Eligibility
Project must be a live-action narrative feature film, which must be applicant's second, third, fourth or fifth feature film. All genres accepted.
Project must be at least 90% (to be determined by CAPE in its sole discretion) through principal photography or in post-production.
Project must be consistent with CAPE’s mission to champion diversity by educating, connecting, and empowering API artists and leaders in entertainment and media.
Project must be spoken or subtitled in English.
Grant Requirements:
CAPE and TAAF logos must be featured in the credits.
TAAF serves the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community in their pursuit of belonging and prosperity that is free from discrimination, slander, and violence. Launched in 2021 in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate and to address the long-standing underinvestment in AANHPI communities, TAAF mobilizes the community to fight against hate and violence, reclaim our narratives and celebrate our stories through our core pillars of Anti-Hate, Education, Narrative Change, and Resources & Representation. Through our high-impact initiatives, events, and investments in national and local nonprofits, we’re creating a permanent and irrevocable sense of belonging for millions of AANHPIs in the United States. For additional information about TAAF, please visit www.taaf.org.
CAPE is the premier non-profit organization creating opportunities and driving change for Asian and Pacific Islander (API) success in Hollywood. We work to shift culture through storytelling to create a better world. For over 30 years, CAPE has fought for API representation in film and television, because what we watch on our screens should reflect the world in which we live and project a better one. CAPE advances representation for APIs in Hollywood through three main verticals: (1) nurturing and engaging creative talent and executive leadership; (2) providing cultural script consulting and talent referrals through the CAPE Database; and (3) championing projects for critical box office and streaming success. Follow @capeusa on Instagram and X or visit their website at capeusa.org.
WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM:
