Sacramento Film + Media Grant Program

The Sacramento Film + Media Grant Program is an initiative of Sacramento Film + Media aimed at supporting film and television production within the city of Sacramento. Designed to incentivize local economic activity and cultural representation, this program offers financial assistance through production and post-production grants. Funding is made available in two rounds during the fiscal year, with a total of up to six $10,000 production grants and up to two $5,000 post-production grants awarded across both rounds. Unused funds from the first round may roll over to the second. This grant supports production companies by subsidizing City of Sacramento permitting and safety costs and reimbursing qualifying local expenditures such as hotel stays, equipment rentals, and local hires. To qualify, at least 50% of filming must occur in the Sacramento region with two or more locations in the city itself. Alternatively, projects conducting at least 75% of post-production in Sacramento also qualify. Eligible formats include feature-length and short films, documentaries, TV pilots and episodes, commercials, music videos, and unscripted content. Applicants must submit their proposals prior to starting physical production in Sacramento, except for documentary projects, which are exempt. Post-production applications require that 75% of production be completed before applying. A company may receive up to two awards within any 12-month period. Applications are submitted online and must include a treatment, budget with Sacramento-specific spend, shooting schedule, vendor and crew lists, lodging details, and proof of prior experience. Applications are first screened for completeness and eligibility, then reviewed by a panel of industry professionals and economic development experts. Panelists score submissions based on economic impact, community impact, and project feasibility, using criteria such as local hires, representation of marginalized communities, internships offered, and the applicant’s planning and funding commitments. Awardees must meet city insurance requirements and complete various post-award compliance steps, including signing a contract, submitting invoices within 90 days of eligible expenses, and delivering a final report within 60 days of production wrap. This report must include detailed metrics such as Sacramento vendor usage, hotel expenditures, and demographics of cast and crew. All application materials are public record under the California Public Records Act. Applicants should be aware that their materials may be used for training purposes by Sacramento Film + Media in the future.

Strongly emphasize local economic impact (hotel nights, local hires, vendor usage). Be detailed in community representation and feasibility of project delivery.