← All test runs

Downstream (test profile A)

Finished12 searches · 10 pages read · est. cost $0.461

No verified matches — credit would be returned

Found 0 verified opportunities plus 4 worth contacting (status not confirmed). 27 sources were rejected (not official, unreadable, closed or unverifiable). Searches: 12, pages read: 10.

Sundance Institute, in collaboration with Sandbox Films · grant

Sandbox Fund

HIGH match

Unconfirmed — worth contacting

The official page does not state the current application status.

Award amount
Development: up to $40,000.; Production: up to $100,000.; Post-production: up to $100,000.
Deadline
Dates and deadlines to be announced.
Who can apply
Independent artists working at the intersection of science and nonfiction storytelling.
Geographic eligibility
U.S. and international projects.
Eligible stages
Development, production, and post-production.
Eligible formats
Feature-length nonfiction.

Why this matches

Downstream fits the fund's feature nonfiction format, U.S. eligibility, supported production stages, and funding range. Its community-led well testing provides a strong science-and-culture connection, especially if scientific inquiry is central to the storytelling. Spring 2027 dates remain unannounced, and resubmission eligibility depends on prior application history.

  • subject alignment: match
  • format or program area: match
  • project stage: match
  • applicant eligibility: match
  • geographic eligibility: match
  • funding size: match
  • funder mission: match
  • application timing: unknown

Eligibility: proven

Evidence (11 verified quotes)
  • Who can apply: Independent artists working at the intersection of science and nonfiction storytelling.
    “Grants are offered to independent artists who are working at the intersection of science and nonfiction storytelling.”
  • Geographic eligibility: U.S. and international projects.
    “U.S. and international feature-length nonfiction projects are eligible.”
  • Eligible formats: Feature-length nonfiction.
    “U.S. and international feature-length nonfiction projects are eligible.”
  • Eligible stages: Development, production, and post-production.
    “The fund offers support to projects at all stages of development, production, and post-production.”
  • Award amount: Development: up to $40,000.
    “Development (up to $40,000)”
  • Award amount: Production: up to $100,000.
    “Production (up to $100,000)”
  • Award amount: Post-production: up to $100,000.
    “Post-Production (up to $100,000)”
  • Deadline: Dates and deadlines to be announced. (2027 Spring Cycle)
    “Dates and deadlines to be announced.”
  • Program focus: Science and culture through innovative nonfiction storytelling, with emphasis on creative narrative techniques and diversity in science.
    “Selection criteria for the Sandbox Fund will emphasize creative narrative techniques and projects that highlight diversity in science, specifically those that feature characters, topics, or disciplines that broaden and redefine what it means to be a scientist or to do science.”
  • Restriction: Applications must be submitted through the Sandbox Fund application portal.
    “Applications must be submitted through the Sandbox Fund application portal.”
  • Restriction: Maximum two submissions per project; a second submission must show significant progress at a later production stage. Projects already submitted twice or more require a staff invitation to resubmit. (Fall 2026 cycle and beyond)
    “Each project is now limited to a maximum of two submissions. If you are submitting a project for the second time, we ask that the project be re-submitted only once it has reached a later stage of production and reflects significant progress since the previous application. If you have already applied with a project two or more times, the project is no longer eligible for consideration, unless you have been specifically invited to resubmit by program staff.”
Official program pageChecked 10/31/2026, 2:54:54 AM

ITVS · other

Open Call

HIGH match

Unconfirmed — worth contacting

The official page does not state the current application status.

Award amount
Up to $400,000 for long-form features.; Up to $50,000 for stand-alone shorts.
Deadline
Not confirmed
Who can apply
Independent producers of nonfiction documentaries.
Geographic eligibility
Not confirmed
Eligible stages
Production or post-production.
Eligible formats
Nonfiction documentaries, from shorts to features, between 10 and 90 minutes.

Why this matches

Downstream fits Open Call's nonfiction production support and issue-driven public-media mission. Its requested amount is within the feature funding ceiling. Confirm that the runtime is no more than 90 minutes and check application timing and detailed eligibility. Funding requires a co-production agreement with broadcast and streaming rights assigned to ITVS, rather than a grant.

  • subject alignment: match
  • format or program area: partial
  • project stage: match
  • applicant eligibility: match
  • geographic eligibility: unknown
  • funding size: match
  • funder mission: match
  • application timing: unknown

Eligibility: likely

  • Geographic eligibility: not stated — confirm with funder.
Evidence (8 verified quotes)
  • Award amount: Up to $400,000 for long-form features.
    “Up to $400k in funding for long-form features”
  • Award amount: Up to $50,000 for stand-alone shorts.
    “Up to $50k in funding for stand-alone shorts”
  • Eligible formats: Nonfiction documentaries, from shorts to features, between 10 and 90 minutes.
    “Production or post-production support for nonfiction documentaries between 10 and 90 minutes.”
  • Eligible stages: Production or post-production.
    “Production or post-production support for nonfiction documentaries between 10 and 90 minutes.”
  • Who can apply: Independent producers of nonfiction documentaries.
    “Open Call offers up to $400,000 in co-production funding to independent producers of nonfiction documentaries, ranging from shorts to features.”
  • Program focus: Risk-taking stories addressing important issues and American audiences, rarely seen in public or commercial media.
    “We’re looking for exceptional storytelling that aligns with our mission: stories that take risks, tackle important issues, address the needs of American audiences, and are rarely seen in public or commercial media.”
  • Restriction: Funding is a co-production agreement, not a grant; ITVS receives certain broadcast and streaming rights during the contract term.
    “Open Call is not a grant. You’ll receive funding in the form of a co-production agreement that assigns ITVS certain broadcast and streaming rights to your project during the contract term.”
  • Contact: itvs@itvs.org
    “itvs@itvs.org”
Official program pageChecked 10/31/2026, 2:54:17 AM

Sundance Institute · grant

Documentary Film Program — Documentary Fund

HIGH match

Unconfirmed — worth contacting

The official page does not state the current application status.

Award amount
Not confirmed
Deadline
Not confirmed
Who can apply
Independent nonfiction filmmakers.
Geographic eligibility
Worldwide.
Eligible stages
The broader Documentary Film Program provides support from development to distribution; grant-specific stage requirements are not given.
Eligible formats
Cinematic nonfiction documentaries.

Why this matches

Downstream fits the program's independent nonfiction, worldwide eligibility, and contemporary social-impact focus. Its environmental justice and community organizing story is a strong thematic fit. Award size, grant-specific stage requirements, and application dates remain unconfirmed on this page.

  • subject alignment: match
  • format or program area: match
  • project stage: partial
  • applicant eligibility: match
  • geographic eligibility: match
  • funding size: unknown
  • funder mission: match
  • application timing: unknown

Eligibility: proven

Evidence (8 verified quotes)
  • Who can apply: Independent nonfiction filmmakers.
    “The Sundance Institute Documentary Fund is a global granting opportunity that supports independent filmmakers of cinematic documentaries on a wide range of contemporary topics and themes.”
  • Geographic eligibility: Worldwide.
    “The Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program (DFP) supports nonfiction filmmakers worldwide in the production of cinematic documentaries on contemporary themes.”
  • Eligible formats: Cinematic nonfiction documentaries.
    “supports independent filmmakers of cinematic documentaries on a wide range of contemporary topics and themes.”
  • Eligible stages: The broader Documentary Film Program provides support from development to distribution; grant-specific stage requirements are not given.
    “including granting, labs, and strategic advice from development to distribution”
  • Program focus: Creative nonfiction addressing contemporary themes, advancing cultural dialogue, and offering potential social impact.
    “We remain committed to nonfiction projects that elevate and advance cultural dialogue, expand the form through creativity and innovation, and have the potential to generate social impact around some of the most compelling issues of our time.”
  • Opens: Documentary Fund online application timing to be announced in early 2027; no opening date specified.
    “To be announced in early 2027”
  • Contact: dfp@sundance.org
    “dfp@sundance.org”
  • Application page: https://apply.sundance.org/prog/lst/
    “Those interested in applying for a special opportunity fund should submit an application through the [Programs portal](https://apply.sundance.org/prog/lst/).”
Official program pageApplication page (link checked)Checked 10/31/2026, 4:13:20 AM

Perspective Fund · grant

Documentary Film Support

HIGH match

Unconfirmed — worth contacting

The official page does not state the current application status.

Award amount
Philanthropic grants typically range from $25,000 to $150,000.
Deadline
Not confirmed
Who can apply
Documentary filmmakers and narrative strategists.
Geographic eligibility
Not confirmed
Eligible stages
Production and post-production; subsequent impact strategy, campaigns, and distribution support may be renewed.
Eligible formats
Documentary projects and associated engagement campaigns.

Why this matches

Downstream aligns well with the program's social-change documentary focus, production/post-production support, and impact-campaign funding. Its $25,000–$75,000 request fits the typical grant range. A competitive inquiry should explain community decision-making, issue expertise, audience strategy, and the financing path to completion. Geographic eligibility, fiscal-sponsor rules, and application timing remain unconfirmed.

  • subject alignment: match
  • format or program area: match
  • project stage: match
  • applicant eligibility: partial
  • geographic eligibility: unknown
  • funding size: match
  • funder mission: match
  • application timing: unknown

Eligibility: needs confirmation

  • Geographic eligibility: not stated — confirm with funder.
Evidence (10 verified quotes)
  • Award amount: Philanthropic grants typically range from $25,000 to $150,000.
    “Perspective Fund's Documentary Film Support program provides philanthropic grants typically ranging from $25,000 to $150,000 to documentary projects and associated engagement campaigns.”
  • Eligible formats: Documentary projects and associated engagement campaigns.
    “documentary projects and associated engagement campaigns.”
  • Who can apply: Documentary filmmakers and narrative strategists.
    “Perspective Fund supports documentary filmmakers and narrative strategists who are closest to the issues their films address”
  • Eligible stages: Production and post-production; subsequent impact strategy, campaigns, and distribution support may be renewed.
    “Projects funded in production or post-production are typically considered for renewed support in impact strategy, campaigns, and distribution as the film progresses.”
  • Program focus: Documentaries addressing complex social, cultural, or political issues with potential for public understanding, cultural change, or systems change.
    “To accelerate the production and post-production of documentary projects that engage complex social, cultural, or political issues and have the potential to expand public understanding, shape culture, or drive systems change.”
  • Program focus: Impact strategy, campaigns, and public engagement, including screening programs.
    “To support the planning and implementation of a film's social impact strategy, including audience identification, partner cultivation, screening programs, discussion resources, and broader public engagement campaigns.”
  • Program focus: Impact-driven distribution.
    “To strengthen distribution strategies that are in service of a film's social change goals.”
  • Program focus: Film participant compensation from production through release.
    “To recognize and compensate the irreplaceable knowledge, trust, and lived experience that documentary participants bring to the work, and to support their ongoing contributions from production through release.”
  • Program focus: Prioritizes meaningful decision-making power for directly affected communities.
    “We prioritize projects that promote meaningful decision-making power for members of directly affected communities, in strategy, in editorial choices, and in how the film engages its participants and key audiences.”
  • Application page: https://airtable.com/appzckd8PWddAf0m5/pagGb6K9VIkuCe1pe/form
    “Submit An Inquiry Form”
Official program pageApplication page (link checked)Checked 10/31/2026, 4:21:16 AM
Research log and rejected sources

Candidate pages: rejected 27 · skipped 51 · evaluated 18

Measured usage

Log