You must be a producer with an entity (or plans to create an entity) that can receive our funds and account for them. At this time, we are only accepting applications from filmmakers that are based in the United States of America.
You must be able to demonstrate your experience and talent in filmmaking, including that you and your team can produce a high-quality film on time and on budget.
Other requirements:
- Have worked on one or more short films of high quality
- Have proven the ability to create a budget and stick to it.
- Have some story elements in place, including archival footage, access to key people, a personal relationship to the story, or some other unique hook
- Be able to take direction from the executive producers and attend the opening session
- Demonstrate commitment to ideals that are pro-American and pro-liberty.
We are looking for 15 to 25 minute films.
All submissions must be non-fiction documentaries. Good documentaries are examples of real journalism, meaning they tell the full story and they accurately represent all sides. We emphasize storytelling rather than films that advocate for a particular thesis or point of view.
For example, these films could cover recent historical events that have been undiscovered but that shed light on the present or ongoing stories that have national interest.
Our application process contains two rounds. The first round, which you can submit through our website, includes a film description, a budget overview, a project plan, a statement of film philosophy, a CV, three references, and a work sample (full projects that you have produced and/or directed–not highlight reels). The second round is invitation only and will require a full proposal, including a budget detail and bios of key personnel, and a Zoom interview.
The first round of the application closes on December 5th. Thereafter invitations will be sent to applicants who are invited to the second round. Second round acceptances will need to submit a full proposal, including a more thorough treatment, budget detail, bios of key personnel, and participate in a Zoom interview. The second round opens on December 12th and closes on January 6th.
The first round of the application will close on December 5th. Thereafter invitations will be sent to applicants who are invited to the second round. Awardees will be announced mid January. Our introductory session will commence mid February in Washington, DC, with travel costs covered.
Films should be between 15-25 minutes long. For the longest films, the budget cap is $35,000. For the first round of submission, a budget should tally only the general expense categories (e.g., $X for Equipment). In the second round of submission, the budget should include a breakdown of costs within the general expense categories (e.g., for Equipment: $Y for Camera Rental, $Z for Lighting Equipment).
As you think through your budget, remember that we cover all reasonable costs associated with insurance and promotion. Filmmakers may take compensation up to $5,000 from the budget, and incrementally more if they function in additional capacity (e.g., as DP or editor).
All Incubator Fellows will be required to attend the opening session February 2025 in Washington DC. Travel and lodging will be covered for that event. We also expect our fellows to send us rough and fine cuts of their film in a timely manner and host site visits during the filming process. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the films should be completed in six months. Fellows must comply with the promotional work done by Palladium Pictures on the film, and they should be willing to be active members of our alumni network in the future.
Palladium will be responsible for film distribution through the normal channels for streaming services and websites. All incubator films will be Palladium Pictures Productions, and the ownership and royalties will belong to Palladium Pictures.
Palladium Pictures will hold the copyright and maintain full ownership and distribution rights to the film. The rights and responsibilities we require are typical of work commissioned from broadcasters or streaming services.