Due to the high volume of submissions, we limit unsuccessful applicants to one re-application per project.

Yes! We encourage previous grantees to apply for additional funding once their project has progressed. We will only award once per stage (i.e. Research, Development, Production, Post-Production).

No. We recognize that every documentary is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all budget for bringing a project to life. However, we will assess the project’s feasibility based on whether the budget feels appropriate for the creative vision and realistic in the current marketplace - taking into account its likely funding and distribution opportunities.

Yes. Projects with distribution deals in place are eligible to apply, though this is not a requirement for projects at any stage. Each project will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking distribution deals into account as they pertain to potential reach and impact opportunities.

For projects in Production we require you to have secured a minimum of 15% of your total budget. For projects in Post-Production we require you to have secured a minimum of 35% of your total budget. We ask for this as evidence of the project’s marketplace appeal and financial viability.

Secured financing means funding that has been formally committed to your project. This could include final funding decisions from granting organizations or confirmed offers from equity financiers, donors or producers. A conditional matching grant offer would also count if the funder has formally committed to providing the funds subject to you securing a matching contribution that would be met by the Who Let the Docs Out grant. 

Funding that is still under consideration or has only been applied for does not count as secured. Funds from tax credits will only count once they have been received by the production – i.e. an interim claim has been made based on eligible expenditure incurred to date and been verified and paid out. Estimated funding from projected tax rebates will not count towards the minimum financing thresholds for Production and Post-Production.

Funds can be used flexibly to support the work that will move your project forward at its current stage and contribute to your creative deliverable (agreed upon through discussion with the Who Let the Docs Out team).

For example, for projects at the Research stage, this could mean supporting your own time and costs, as well as essential access costs e.g. travel and fees for archival materials. (Travel only when remote options aren’t available). In this early stage we encourage grantees to spend time ideating, getting to grips with the relevant themes and data, refining the storyline and securing access - rather than rushing into filming.

We recognize that in documentary filmmaking there can be a lot of overlap between different stages of production. Often the process is iterative and your research might continue into production, or you might start editing to help with fundraising before you’re even half way through shooting. If you are really unsure about which stage you should apply for, you can reach out to us - but please consult our definitions below as a guide. 

Research is about discovering your story and figuring out, is this worth pursuing? It’s an exploratory phase where you investigate the topic, secure the access, test the storylines and character arcs. We expect that if the story is worth pursuing, you’ll end this process with a treatment that clearly articulates your vision and paves the way for development.

Development is about honing your story and your creative vision, and finding a way to communicate that to potential supporters. There may still be unanswered questions, but by the end of this process you should know what the project is and who it is for. At the end of this phase we would expect you to come away with a sizzle or sales tool that will serve as your proof of concept for fundraising.

We don’t expect you to have any materials to submit at the Research stage. At the Development Stage, we would like to see any treatments or moodboards you have that capture the overall style of the project (max. 20 pages). Production applicants are encouraged to submit a sample of up to 5 minutes. The sample should demonstrate your access to characters, visual treatment, and the developing tone and style. Post-production applications require a sample of between 10-20 minutes that demonstrates access to characters, story arc or concept, and visual treatment.

As part of the Expression of Interest, we ask for a 2-3 minute video explaining what has drawn you to this story and why you think you’re the right person to tell it. We’re interested in your unique perspective as a filmmaker and your connection to the subject matter.

Don’t stress about this too much! This is just an opportunity for us to get to know you as a filmmaker and can be a quick way to personalize your application and make it stand out. We’re not expecting super polished videos - please just make sure we can hear what you’re saying clearly. English subtitles for submissions in other languages are also required.

We do understand that not everyone can appear on camera. If that's you, just record a few seconds of blank screen (or share a link to one) so the form can be submitted, and email grants@docsout.org so we can accommodate your needs.

In line with the aim of the Nonfiction Core Application to standardize grant application processes and reduce the burden on filmmakers, we have retained the same word limits for the Full Application. However, these limits should be seen as maximums, not targets. Concise and focused answers can often be more powerful. We encourage you to only use as many words as you need to communicate your vision clearly.

Yes, all materials must be submitted in English. Video material with English subtitles will be accepted but please note that, if awarded a grant, communication with the Who Let the Docs Out team will be conducted in English.

You can use AI tools to assist with your application, but please make sure that you carefully check and verify information. We are also most interested in hearing your unique voice as a filmmaker, rather than perfectly polished but generic writing; it’s more likely that your project will stand out to us and be more competitive without the use of AI.

For visual materials, we prefer that you do not include AI-generated imagery or footage, unless there is a specific creative reason for doing so. If you are using AI-generated material as a placeholder or early proof of concept, please make this clear in the accompanying description.

At the EOI stage, all applications will be reviewed by our team and external readers from the industry to check eligibility and ensure the project aligns with the Who Let The Docs Out mission. Projects that advance to the Full Application stage will also be reviewed by our panel of industry experts, strategists and executives, before a shortlist is presented to our Advisory Committee.

Projects will be evaluated on the strength of their story, characters and creative vision; the team’s unique skillset and ability to bring that vision to life; the feasibility of the project and its path to completion; and its potential to connect with audiences. We will also consider the project’s potential for meaningful impact and its alignment with the aims of Who Let the Docs Out.

We aim to award grants to 5-10 projects each cycle, though the exact number will depend on the spread of projects across different stages of production.

EOIs will be assessed on a rolling basis, and you will be notified of our decision (whether successful or unsuccessful) by Friday 4th December. If you are invited to submit a Full Application and do so by the deadline (Friday 1st January), you will be notified of our decision (whether successful or unsuccessful) by early February.

Upon submission, applicants will also receive a unique link that allows them to track the progress of their application.

Unfortunately due to limited capacity, we can only offer feedback to projects that advance to the Full Application stage.

Shortly after applicants are notified of our final decisions, we will host a group Zoom call for that cycle’s cohort. This will be 90 minutes long and as far as possible will be scheduled to suit availability across time zones. The intention of this meeting will be to introduce filmmakers with aligned impact goals, create connections and spark ideas. After this, we will arrange individual check-ins between the Who Let the Docs Out team and each grantee. Grantees will also have the opportunity to be matched up with a mentor to support them through the grant period, if they wish.

At the end of the grant period, grantees will be required to provide a narrative Grant Report detailing how the funds were utilized, the progress made during the grant period, and the impact on the project's trajectory. Expense reports and receipts will not be requested.

We know that every documentary is different and has different timelines. We will discuss potential delivery dates when we decide on the creative deliverable best suited to your project and its needs.

We ask that grantees acknowledge Who Let the Docs Out’s support in the credits of the completed project and relevant promotional materials. Specific crediting requirements will be agreed as part of the grant agreement process, taking into account broadcaster or distributor requirements.

If your question is not addressed here, please contact: grants@docsout.org