Emergency Assistance grants for individual documentary filmmakers - Indy Arts Council

Overview

Beginning March 9, 2026, the International Documentary Association (IDA) is piloting a six-month emergency assistance program for documentary filmmakers whose work puts them in imminent and extreme physical danger. IDA will respond to all applications within 24 hours and handle them with strict confidentiality.

Award

Eligible filmmakers may request a one-time emergency grant between $500 and $5,000 (USD).

Key dates

• Application deadline: December 31, 2026
• Program pilot period: March 9, 2026 – September 2026

Eligibility

• They are in immediate and extreme personal physical danger—including serious risk of death, bodily harm, or detainment—related to their documentary project
• They have a concrete plan for how the funds will be used, and the requested amount corresponds to the cost of reaching a sufficiently safe situation
• They have an existing risk assessment plan for their project
• If the plan requires travel to another country, any necessary visas or entry documents must already be in place
• They can provide at least two references who can confirm the nature of their emergency (a funder of the project or a film partner organization, for example)
• They have a way to safely receive funds

What does not qualify

• Immigration or visa issues unrelated to immediate physical danger
• Ongoing crises—war, coups, political upheaval—without a specific, immediate threat to the applicant
• Smear campaigns and reputational threat
• Censorship, de-platforming, loss of project funding, current detention or incarceration, where IDA funds cannot practically be deployed

How to apply

Fill out the Intake Form for support and provide references as required. IDA will respond within 24 hours.

Additional support

Filmmakers whose circumstances fall outside the current program are encouraged to contact IDA, as they are building additional resources and partnerships to serve a broader range of needs.