Sundance’s $17,000 Episodic Sloan Grant Is Open Through December 14
Writers of science-centered scripted series can apply for a $17,000 Sundance grant through December 14 using the Institute’s published waiver code.
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SPOTLIGHT NEWS
Film industry news for the people making what’s next.
Useful before urgent.
Spotlight News tracks the decisions, opportunities, tools, and production shifts that matter to working and emerging film professionals. We publish selectively, link to primary sources, separate reporting from analysis, and correct the record when new facts change a story.
Latest stories
imagineNATIVE Opens 2027 Festival Submissions for Indigenous Creators
Submissions remain open, but imagineNATIVE still lists conflicting October 10 and October 16 no-fee cutoffs. Entrants should verify the live form.
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Tribeca Opens 2027 Submissions Across Film, TV, Games and Podcasts
The first early deadlines arrive October 21 and 28, with separate tracks for films, episodic work, digital creators, games, podcasts, and branded storytelling.
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Sundance Graton Fellowship Offers Two $25,000 Grants
The no-fee opportunity supports feature artists from California-based tribes with cash awards, mentorship, and yearlong professional support.
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2027 Spirit Awards Submissions Are Closed; Nominations Due December 2
The limited October 2 extension has ended. Film Independent plans to announce the 2027 Spirit Awards nominations on December 2.
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NYC Filmmaker Listening Tour: Bronx Stop Is October 28
After the Manhattan session, New York City’s free filmmaker listening tour continues in the Bronx, Staten Island, and Queens.
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Sundance Doc Fund Awards More Than $1 Million to 19 Projects
The 2026 grants span development, production, and post-production, with projects connected to 14 countries.
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Tribeca and AT&T Open $1.2 Million Untold Stories Film Prize
Eligible U.S. and Puerto Rico filmmakers can apply through January 18 for the no-fee feature-film program.
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Spotlight Creator Fund: What We Know So Far
Spotlight Drive is exploring future support for emerging actors, filmmakers, and creators. Here is what has—and has not—been decided.
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99th Oscars: Documentary Feature Deadline Is October 15
The short-film deadline has passed. Documentary features qualifying in the second half of 2026 must submit required materials by October 15 at 5 p.m. PT.
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Bipartisan Bill Proposes 20% Federal Film and TV Production Credit
A bipartisan bill would create a stackable 20% labor credit for qualifying U.S. film and television productions, with bonuses that could raise it to 30%. It is a propo...
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Film Independent Opens Five-Film Program With $100,000 Budgets
The new initiative will finance five shorts about seniors and aging. U.S.-based director-producer teams can apply through October 26.
Read storyBrowse the recent archive
Stories remain dated reporting. Verify deadlines, eligibility and release availability with the original organization before acting. This compact archive covers up to 50 recent published stories; use the existing News pagination for older coverage.
October 2026
- — Film Independent Camera Grant Accepts Applications Year-Round
- — MIFF Opens 2027 Submissions for Features, Shorts and XR
- — BFI Offers Up to £300,000 for International Co-Productions
- — From Troy to The Odyssey: The Trojan Horse Idea Nolan Carried for 20 Years
- — SAG-AFTRA Says Members Can No Longer Use Film Artists Associates
- — IATSE's 2026 Videotape Agreement Increases Are Now in Effect
- — DGA Awards Deadline Is October 16 for First-Time Features and Documentaries
- — Film Independent Opens Five $100,000 Short-Film Productions About Aging
- — Skydance Closes Warner Bros. Deal With New Film Commitments
- — What Spotlight Drive Is Building—and Why Student Resources Stay Free
- — SAG-AFTRA Animation Vote Runs Through October 29: What the Deal Would Change
- — Sundance Merata Mita Fellowship Opens October 13 for Indigenous Women Filmmakers
- — Sundance’s $17,000 Episodic Sloan Grant Is Open Through December 14
- — imagineNATIVE Opens 2027 Festival Submissions for Indigenous Creators
- — Tribeca Opens 2027 Submissions Across Film, TV, Games and Podcasts
- — Sundance Graton Fellowship Offers Two $25,000 Grants
- — 2027 Spirit Awards Submissions Are Closed; Nominations Due December 2
- — NYC Filmmaker Listening Tour: Bronx Stop Is October 28
- — Sundance Doc Fund Awards More Than $1 Million to 19 Projects
- — Tribeca and AT&T Open $1.2 Million Untold Stories Film Prize
September 2026
- — Spotlight Creator Fund: What We Know So Far
- — 99th Oscars: Documentary Feature Deadline Is October 15
- — Bipartisan Bill Proposes 20% Federal Film and TV Production Credit
- — Film Independent Opens Five-Film Program With $100,000 Budgets
- — Introducing The Spotlight Challenge
- — AFI Conservatory Fall 2027 Applications Close December 1
- — SXSW 2027 Film and TV Submissions Are Closed—What Applicants Should Know
- — Premiere Pro Security Update Fixes Critical Vulnerability
- — Federal Film and TV Tax Credit Bill Introduced With 20% Base Incentive
- — Ukraine Signs Europe’s New Series Co-Production Convention
- — California Enacts Disclosure Rule for AI-Generated Performers in Ads
- — SAG-AFTRA Reaches Tentative Deal on Animation Contracts