Catapult Film Fund

Catapult Film Fund also partners with The True/False Film Festival for the annual Rough Cut Retreat (RCR), a one-of-a-kind mentorship experience. Launched in 2016, RCR unites nonfiction filmmakers and mentors in a creative, supportive, and engaged atmosphere. The annual Rough Cut Retreat offers filmmakers & their projects thoughtful feedback to help move films from a rough cut to a final cut with an eye on winter festival deadlines which they can seek to bring on additional key team members, partners, and funders. The fellowship is geared towards emerging filmmakers who have directed short films previously and for whom this is their first feature, or for filmmakers who have directed one or two features already. Mentors are selected who share our values of artistic curiosity and generosity of spirit.

Catapults Research Grant offers grants of $10,000 USD and dedicated mentorship to U.S.-based filmmakers in the early conception phase of a documentary feature or short. Launched in 2020, this intensive program supports a cohort of filmmakers who share a desire to deepen their craft and an ongoing commitment to the art of nonfiction storytelling. The grant can be used for a variety of needs for developing new nonfiction film ideas including: research, writing, travel, crew, identifying and gaining access to protagonists, and any preliminary production costs associated with shaping the artistic vision or capturing early footage. To assist their process, filmmakers are paired with an advisor based on their specific project needs and goals. Participating filmmakers must commit attendance and participation for the full program, which includes live virtual sessions as a cohort and one-on-one calls with dedicated advisors. Advisors are selected who share our values of artistic curiosity and generosity of spirit.