Proposal Checklist (v.2022)

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 (up to 50 words)

   Please provide a brief summary of the project that captures the most important elements — setting, participants*, central conflict, or concerns.
2. Topic Summary (up to 500 words)

   Explain the relevant cultural, historical, political, or social context for the film. Detail the topics, issues, themes, challenges, stakes, or questions that your project will cover.
3. Story or Concept Summary (up to 1000 words)

   Give an overview of your story, introducing the main participants and potential plot points. Describe the anticipated story and narrative trajectory or potential character arcs for your film. If your project is non-narrative or not character-driven, what is your project’s concept, and how is it constructed? Give an overview of the subject matter and your primary questions and ideas to be explored. Please be clear about the elements of your film that remain unknown or unclear and highlight the questions that may steer the direction of your film.
4. Artistic Approach (up to 500 words)

   Describe your creative vision for the finished project. What are the visual and audio elements that will bring your film to life? Explain your intended use of artistic devices or any particular creative approach that informs the storytelling (e.g., animations, re-creations, transitions).
5. Connection and Access (up to 250 words)

   What is your connection and access to the story (i.e., participants, community, location, archives etc.)? Why are you the best filmmaker(s) to tell this story?
6. Creative Control (up to 50 words)

   Who has creative control and, if applicable, ownership of the project?
7. Filmmaker(s) Statement(s) (up to 500 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?
8. Project Stage and Timeline (up to 500 words)

   Explain the current status of the project. Outline the projected production timeline from the project’s current state to the anticipated completion date. Your timeline should detail major project activities, production schedules, and anticipated post-production and release dates. If you have applied to this fund previously, please share how your project has progressed.
9. Audience Consideration (up to 200 words)

   Describe the audience you’d like your film to reach and why. How do you plan to reach your target audience?
10. Accessibility (up to 500 words)

    What are your plans to make your film accessible during production for D/deaf, blind/low vision, disabled, and neurodiverse crew and/or film participants, and also to make your film accessible to D/deaf, blind/low vision, disabled, and neurodiverse audiences? Please ensure that these accessibility costs (captions, audio descriptions, transcripts) are reflected in the submitted budget.
11. Intended Impact (up to 500 words)

    Articulate your vision for the influence or impact you hope the film will have on the participants, community, and/or broader society — be these social, cultural, political or otherwise. What is your impact strategy and goals, if you have determined them? If not, what steps are you taking to develop an impact campaign (i.e., how are you building partnerships with organizations or others leading or influencing change around the issues in the film)? Whose interests will your film serve and who will benefit and how — in both its production and distribution phases?
12. Distribution and Marketing (up to 500 words)

    Describe the intended distribution of your film. Specify any plans for festival, theatrical, and/or community screenings, as well as your plans for securing broadcast and/or distribution. How do you envision the relationship between the finished film and the participants and/or community being filmed, if relevant? Who will benefit from the film’s release and how?
13. Key Creative Personnel (approximately 200 words/bio)

    Provide brief biographies for the director(s), and if attached, the producer(s), cinematographer, and/or editor. 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.
14. Financial Information (200 words for each) [TFC Fiscal Sponsorship application customized question]

    1. Fundraising Strategy
       Describe the overall fundraising strategy for the film. Be specific. Name funders and types of funding you plan to target, i.e. private donations, grants, crowdfunding.
    2. Funding to Date & Prospective Funding
       Model this section after the sample Funding Grid below. Include all sources and amounts raised to date. Clearly distinguish between potential sources of funding and secured amounts. List the status of sources of funding currently under consideration, whether to be applied for or pending.
       
       
       As a fiscal sponsorship program, The Film Collaborative is interested in how you intended to use the program. The sample Funding Grid below includes an extra column to identify sources that require fiscal sponsorship. Please research your answers carefully.
       Example:

       Source the following are examples; replace with actual names	Amount	Status	Deadline Dates (if applicable)	Identify Sources that Require Fiscal Sponsorship
       Foundation A	$X	Secured	04/01/YY	Yes
       Private Investment	$X	Secured	not applicable	No
       Private Donations	$X	Secured	not applicable	Yes
       Foundation B	$X	Applied	08/31/YY	Yes
       Broadcast License A	$X	In Negotiation	not applicable	No
       Crowdfunding	$X	Campaign start MM/DD/YY, end MM/DD/YY	not applicable	Yes
       Foundaction C	$X	will apply	11/27/YY	Yes

15. Comprehensive Line-Item Expense Budget

    Please provide a breakdown of your project's projected expenses, from development through release, in U.S. dollars, including a budget total. Provide budget notes for any areas that may be viewed as out of the ordinary or require further explanation.
    
    

    Upload your industry standard formatted budget as a separate file.
    Name the file: 2025-01-20_MyProject_TFCFSAppBudget
16. Current Sample or Trailer (up to 200 words) (optional) [TFC Fiscal Sponsorship application customized question]

    If you have a current sample or trailer, 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. We encourage applicants not to spend extra resources creating a sample for each individual fund. 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).
    
    A current sample or trailer is not required; this will not count against the application.
17. Supplemental Questions [TFC application addition]

    Do you have another fiscal sponsor for this project? (current or previous)
18. Optional extra information [TFC application addition]

    If you want to submit a deck or any other information not requested above please email it to fiscalsponsorship@thefilmcollaborative.org separately. Note your project title and application number (issued once you submit your application) in the email subject line.