Get support, education, and exposure through our programs

An important part of Women in Film Seattle's mission is to provide support and education for our members, and to raise the profile of women filmmakers. We do this through a variety of programs including scholarships, mentoring, a grant for Women in Film Seattle Professional Members* worth $1,000; our Post Alley Film Festival of international shorts, a venue for the female voice in film; and forums, workshops, and screenings that showcase the talents of filmmakers working together in our industry. Explore our programs and events and take advantage of what we have to offer.

* IMPORTANT NOTE re: THE WIF GRANT: You must be a WIF member in good standing, woman or woman identifying with WIF Professional member status, to be eligible for this grant. Check here for new information about future WIF grants.

"The grant we received from Women in Film Seattle was one of our earliest grants and the support and recognition meant a lot to us. Additionally, this grant connected us with a pro bono attorney at the firm K&L Gates, which was incredibly helpful in so many ways along our journey. I highly recommend joining Women in Film Seattle and applying to this valuable
grant." - Elisa Levine, "Sweetheart Deal" women in film seattle: professional members grant winner. Sweetheart Deal, multi-award winning documentary following the lives of sex workers.

In keeping with our goals, Women in Film Seattle offers an annual project grant of $1,000 to its Professional Members in good standing to support the filmmaker's project.

SCHEDULE
Application submission deadline AUGUST 18, 2023
Grant recipient announced OCTOBER 24, 2023

GRANT WINNERS: 2022, Josefina Valezuela Cerda for her project, THE MIRROR. 2021, Goldie Jones for her short film project I’M SORRY, I TRIED, I LOVE YOU. 2020, Nicole Pouchet for her short film LIONESS (at Seattle Black Film Festival 2022). In 2019 and 2018 no grant was awarded. In 2017, Maryna Ajaja for her short film project TOO MUCH HISTORY; 2016 Vlada Knowlton for her documentary feature THE MOST DANGEROUS YEAR (at SIFF); 2015 Rosalie Miller and Jo Ardinger for their documentary PERSONHOOD (at SIFF); 2014 Ann Hedreen for her documentary film ZONA INTANGIBLE; 2012 Elisa Haradon for her documentary SWEETHEART DEAL (at SIFF 2022); 2011 Lulu Gargiulo for her documentary project HOWDY PARDNER; 2010 Malory Graham for her short film. — Many more years of grants prior to this, but hidden in the archives!

WIF supports all who envision a world free from the institutions and people that perpetrate racism and patriarchy. We endeavor to provide the opportunity and support for diverse voices to tell their stories.

THE FINE PRINT: The WIF Professional Grant is a cash award. WIF Seattle may provide certain consultation, a letter of support, its goodwill with the film/video community and service vendors to help the recipient meet her/their goals. The recipient must agree to the guidelines for the grant. The WIF logo must appear in the final film credits and Women in Film Seattle must be acknowledged in promotional materials. Women in Film Seattle cannot guarantee pro bono services for the grant recipient.

THREE EVALUATION CRITERIA:

1. The filmmaker's project is judged on (50%):

  • subject matter and social relevance

  • experience and ability of the filmmaker to complete the project

  • creativity and originality

  • marketability

  • viewer engagement/education/entertainment

  • value of grant re: budget

2. The filmmaker's work sample is judged on (50%):

  • production value

  • originality

  • viewer engagement/education/entertainment

  • technical execution

3. Consideration is given to women topical projects and women filmmaking teams creating the project.

JUDGING
Submissions are scored on a 1-10 scale with 10 being excellent and 1 being poor. Applicants with the top three scores become finalists. Judging consists of review by three to four filmmaker/peer professionals. In the event of a tie, or if the judges cannot agree, a 4th judge with expertise in the film realm/industry, from within or outside the Northwest film community will cast the deciding vote.

APPLICATION PROCESS - Please contact virginia@laughingdogpictures.com for the eligibility rules and application form.


Email the completed application and provide a viewing link to your work sample (with password access) to: Susan LaSalle susanlasalle1@gmail.com and Virginia Bogert virginia@laughingdogpictures.com

NOTE: We can only accept applications and work samples electronically now.

For questions please contact: Susan LaSalle susanlasalle1@gmail.com and Virginia Bogert virginia@laughingdogpictures.com