The Nonfiction Core Application Proposal Checklist with Integrated Generative AI Questions (updated version 3.1)

The Core Application Checklist may vary from funder to funder. Some questions may be omitted; however, the questions should remain the same unless otherwise stated. Before re-using this application, compare it to the version your prospective funder is using in order to ensure compliance with their requirements. Do not submit a proposal that was obviously prepared for one funder to a different funder—this is a sure-fire way to not get funded.

To make the Proposal Checklist fit all project types, TFC has eliminated some questions from the full Core Application Checklist. The numbering of the questions below may not line up with those of other versions; they are meant merely as a way to order the questions that TFC is using for this application. The proposal you submit to TFC should use these question numbers.

1. Logline

   Please provide a 2-3 sentence summary of the project that captures the most important elements—setting, participants*, key issues, and form.
2. Topic Summary (250 - 750 words)

   Explain the topic, theme, context, stakes, relevance, or questions that you’re exploring in your project.
3. Film Summary (250 - 750 words)

   Give an overview introducing the main participants and plot points in the film. If your project is non-narrative or not character-driven, what is your concept, and how is it constructed? Please be clear about the elements of your story that remain unknown or unclear and highlight the questions that may steer its direction.
4. Artistic Approach (250- 750 words)

   Describe your artistic vision for your project. What are the formal elements of the project, including any artistic devices, visual, and audio elements? Does this project fit within or reference any specific filmmaking or narrative traditions?
   
   If you plan to use generative AI to realize any part of your artistic vision, describe how.
5. Filmmaker(s) Statement(s) (125 - 250 words per statement) to be completed by Director(s) and/or Producer(s)

   Explain who you are as a filmmaker, and if applicable, how this project is expanding or evolving your creative practice. What does success look like for you as an artist? What are the creative, professional, or holistic barriers and challenges you are facing?
6. Accessibility (50 - 100 words)

   If applicable, how do you intend to make your film and/or production accessible to D/deaf, blind/low vision, disabled,and neurodiverse crew, participants, and audiences? Please ensure that these accessibility costs (captions, audio descriptions, transcripts) are reflected in the submitted budget. For further guidance, reference the FWD-Doc Toolkit and the FWD-Doc Engagement Pack.
7. Audience Consideration (50 - 100 words)

   Describe the audiences you would like your film to reach and why. How do you plan to reach and engage them?
   
   If you are using generative AI as part of your artistic approach, how do you plan to disclose it to your audience? If you don’t plan to disclose the use of AI, please explain why.
8. Intended Impact (50 - 100 words)

   Describe your vision for the influence the film will have. If relevant, what are the impact goals and strategies for your project? For further guidance, reference The Impact Field Guide.
9. Key Creative Personnel (50 - 100 words per bio)

   Provide brief biographies for each key creative team member. Include information about relevant expertise and the individual’s role in the project. Bullet-list names and titles of any confirmed advisors who are attached.
10. Creative Control

    In one or two sentences, please describe who has creative control and legal ownership of the project.
11. Project Stage and Timeline (50 - 100 words)

    In list form, outline the projected production timeline from the development of the project to the anticipated completion date. Please include major project activities, production schedules, and anticipated post-production and release dates.
12. Financial Information (50 - 100 words each)

    1. Fundraising Strategy
       Describe the overall fundraising strategy and who from the team will lead these efforts for the film.
    2. Funding Detail
       List all sources of funding and amounts. Include types of funding (i.e. government, foundations, pre-sales, private sources, other) and status (to apply, applied, and confirmed). Model this section after the sample Funding Grid below.
       
       
       As a fiscal sponsorship program, The Film Collaborative needs to understand how you intend to use the program. The sample funding grid below shows the required format. Please create your own table using the same structure. List grant opportunity titles and links, and indicate which funding sources require fiscal sponsorship. Research your answers carefully.
       

       • To add a table in Microsoft Word or Apple Pages: Insert→Table. The table should have five columns and as many rows as you need.
       • The funding grid is required for all applications. Do not link to an external document—your proposal will be saved in the project file to show you applied with a strong fundraising plan that makes use of the program.
       Example:

       Funding Source The following are examples. Replace example names with actual names. Remove non-applicable categories.	Amount	Status	Deadline Dates (if applicable)	Requires Fiscal Sponsorship (Yes/No)
       Foundation A Grant Opportunity title www.foundationa.com/foundationagrantopportunity	$X	Secured	04/01/YY	Yes
       Investor A	$X	Secured	not applicable	No
       Donor A	$X	Secured	not applicable	Yes
       Foundation B Grant Opportunity title www.foundationb.com/foundationbgrantopportunity	$X	Applied	08/31/YY	Yes
       Broadcast License A	$X	In Negotiation	not applicable	No
       Crowdfunding name, i.e. Seed&Spark	$X	MM/DD/YY to MM/DD/YY	not applicable	Yes
       Foundation C Grant Opportunity title www.foundationc.com/foundationcgrantopportunity	$X	will apply	11/27/YY	Yes

13. Comprehensive Line-Item Expense Budget

    Please provide a budget, from development through release, in U.S. dollars, including a budget total. Please ensure that any accessibility, safety, generative AI, and duty of care costs mentioned in your above responses are reflected in the submitted budget. For further guidance, reference https://www.thefilmcollaborative.org/fiscalsponsorship/faq#T007.
    
    

    Upload your industry standard formatted budget as a separate file.
    Name the file: 2025-01-20_MyProject_TFCFSAppBudget
14. Visual Samples

    Optional. Provide links and passwords for sample or trailer.
15. Director’s Prior Work (50-100 words)

    We encourage applicants to include a link to a previous work (any length or genre) by the director. Emerging filmmakers with no previous directing experience may also apply without a previous directing sample or may provide a past work sample from another creative team member if attached (producer, cinematographer, editor, etc).
    
    Discuss the relevance of the work to the current project. If the current project is a departure from the previous work, how will this film differ?
16. Current Sample/Rough Cut (125 - 250 words) (optional)

    What should reviewers be looking for in your sample? Explain what is present and absent in the sample, and how it will differ as a finished film. Describe how it is representative of the intended story, style, subject, or other aspect of the project. If your sample includes any audio, visual, or text elements generated with AI, please describe how and what tools or technologies you used. We encourage applicants not to spend extra resources creating a sample. If your current sample is outside of the suggested length requirements, please provide reviewers with the time codes of the portion of the sample that best reflects your intended style and approach (e.g., 3:15-12:15).
17. Supplemental Question [TFC application addition]

    Do you have another fiscal sponsor for this project? If yes, current or previous? Name of fiscal sponsor.