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The ACS is now offering a travel stipend for films written, directed or produced by an Arkansan traveling to competitive festivals outside of Arkansas. The ACS Filmmaker Travel Stipend will provide a $250 stipend for short films and $500 for feature films.
The goal of the travel stipend is to help filmmakers by supporting their travel to festivals and events that could make a significant impact on their film’s reach and their career. Filmmakers with a film accepted into major film festivals are frequently broke since they’ve spent all their money just finishing their film. The ACS Travel Stipend aims to assist Arkansas filmmakers during this critical moment.
Click Here to Complete the ApplicationThere is a cap on funding for the stipend, so the stipends will be granted based on funding availability.
In developing these lists, festivals and events were selected for the following criteria:
If a filmmaker has a project invited to a festival or event not on the above lists, they can still apply for a travel stipend. In addition to the regular requirements for application, the filmmaker will also need to provide a short profile of the festival or event, highlighting its prestige or importance to the film industry, especially if it is a niche event (ie. a horror festival, a gay & lesbian festival, etc.).
A subcommittee of Arkansas Cinema Society board members and local film professionals will review the applications to decide whether or not to provide reimbursement for any of these applications and whether or not that festival or event will be put on the “approved list” for the next fiscal year.
No consideration will be given to festivals or events that are non-competitive in nature, like the Cannes and AFM markets, or that aren’t primarily focused on film and video.
These stipends are intended to help offset costs for filmmakers traveling outside the state, so Arkansas festivals & events will also not be given consideration.
My film premiered at one of those festivals on the “pre-approved list” in 2015. I spent a fortune at the festival. Can I get the stipend?
Sorry, you must apply BEFORE the travel occurs.
My film got into BFF and I live in Little Rock. Gas is expensive!
Sorry, even though we have a big state, this program is designed to help filmmakers show their work outside the borders of Arkansas.
The festival I got into is flying me out and putting me up. Can I still get a travel stipend?
Yes. If the festival on the “pre-approved” list, it’s likely that travel expenses are perhaps only partially covered by the festival, as the support given by the festival was one of the factors in developing the list.
Is it possible to email in the additional documentation rather than mail it?
Yes. You may email them to: info@arkansascinemasociety.org
