INDIE Grants

The Indie Grants program, administered by the South Carolina Film Commission in partnership with Trident Technical College, is a production grant initiative supporting short narrative films. This initiative is designed to foster professional development and workforce training in South Carolina’s film industry while enabling high-quality, original storytelling from local filmmakers. The program has a strong record of success, with past recipients earning recognition at prestigious film festivals such as Sundance, Tribeca, and Slamdance, among others. The primary purpose of the Indie Grants program is to fund and produce short narrative films by South Carolina filmmakers that demonstrate creativity, efficiency, and technical excellence. Grants range between $25,000 and $45,000 and are intended to fully cover the production and post-production costs of selected projects. All projects are expected to maintain high production value and demonstrate smart, practical resource management. Applicants may also secure additional external funding, provided it is clearly documented in the budget. To qualify, applicants must be South Carolina residents or demonstrate a strong connection to South Carolina’s filmmaking community. If the applicant is not currently a South Carolina resident, at least one core team member must be a South Carolina native, and a narrative description of homegrown ties must be included in the application. Core production teams must include at least two key collaborators, such as a Director of Photography, Assistant Director, Production Designer, VFX Supervisor, Editor, or Composer. Additionally, applicants must incorporate Trident Technical College (TTC) student crew into their projects and include $100 per student per shoot day in their budgets, with 4–8 students typically assigned depending on project needs. The application requires several key components: a narrative screenplay in standard format (maximum 15 pages), a comprehensive project deck (divided into a Look Book and Production Strategy), and a detailed production budget. The Look Book should address visual storytelling aspects like cinematography, production design, and tone, while the Production Strategy should outline logistical plans, including location preferences, shooting schedule, casting strategy, and preliminary crew bios with work samples. If the film includes special elements like stunts or visual effects, applicants must provide samples or references to demonstrate feasibility. Applications are submitted through Submittable and must be completed by 11:59 PM ET on August 11, 2025. Incomplete or inaccurate applications will not be accepted. Guidance materials, including videos and a previous info session webinar, are available to help applicants better understand the submission process. For additional support, applicants can contact Indie Grants Producer Brad Jayne via email. The program encourages applicants to review sample budgets and decks from past funded projects to refine their proposals. This funding cycle is currently active, and recurring annual cycles are expected. Applicants are advised to apply early and ensure all documents are thoroughly prepared and accurate. While specific award dates are not provided, selected projects will be notified following the close of the application period.

Applicants are encouraged to watch informational videos from Indie Grants staff, review sample decks and budgets, and ensure thorough, smart, and feasible proposals.