Thank you for your interest in Impact Kickstart, a program that has helped underrepresented filmmakers create strategic goals for impact and specific plans to engage future partners, funders, and audiences in meaningful ways.

Now in its eight year, we invite our community of filmmakers to apply to Impact Kickstart. We will select and support a cohort of filmmakers with impact campaign funds in the range of $10,000 - $20,000, with an anticipated announcement in late 2025 and disbursement in early 2026. In addition to funding, awardees will have access to mentorship and impact strategy support from the Working Films team, towards their impact campaign plans.

We are accepting applications from underrepresented filmmakers with feature length documentary films that are recently completed (released within the last 2 years) or finishing (at least fine cut stage) or release phases. 

For full information on eligibility and program details please visit: www.workingfilms.org/impactkickstart/

To be considered for Impact Kickstart 2026, please complete the application below. The deadline is Friday, October 3, 2025 at 11:59 pm ET.You’ll need to create an account/login so that you can work on your application and have your information saved. Before you get started you can find a preview of the application questions in this PDF. Please also check out this document of frequently asked questions.  

If you have any additional questions, join us for a webinar Q&A on Tuesday, September 16 at  3 - 4 pm ET. Register for it here! If you can’t attend, we will be recording it and adding it to our Call for Applications page. If you have any additional questions in the meantime, please email hhearn@workingfilms.org.