By Keisha Knight and Hajnal Molnar-Szakacs

In the ever-evolving world of filmmaking, one of the biggest challenges faced by filmmakers is navigating the often complex and time-consuming application processes required to secure funding. To address this issue, the Nonfiction Core Application was created with a mission to streamline applications across funders and simplify the process for filmmakers. The goal has always been to allow filmmakers of all backgrounds to focus on their creative work rather than the grant application process. 

As we continue to work toward this mission, we’ve also aimed to make the application a valuable learning tool. Recognizing that filmmakers come from varying levels of experience and geographic locations, we’ve designed the Core Application to be adaptable to diverse needs. The Core Application should be a resource for filmmakers, helping them reflect on their work, learn from their experiences, and engage in critical conversations around important issues in the field. At the heart of the Core Application is a desire to push the field forward. By integrating available resources into the application and fostering conversations around key topics like safety, security, accountability, and accessibility, the Core Application aims to help filmmakers and funders work together to create a more inclusive and supportive industry. The Core Application is intended to be a living document that is responsive to feedback from filmmakers, industry leaders, and funders.

The Process of Revision: Listening, Learning, and Evolving

The revision process for Core Application 3.0 was informed by feedback gathered from filmmakers and industry professionals. Building on the success of Core Application 2.0, which was generally well-received as a tool for simplifying the application process, we identified areas for improvement.

While many filmmakers appreciated the streamlined nature of Core Application 2.0, a recurring piece of feedback was that the application felt too long and occasionally redundant. This feedback was invaluable in helping us refine language, reduce repetition, and ensure that the questions remain relevant and meaningful.

Another key piece of feedback centered on the accountability, power, positionality, and community care questions. These issues were explored in depth in Core Application 2.0, sparking important conversations within the industry. For Core Application 3.0, we’ve revised these questions to reflect the normalization of care and accountability as standard best practices. 

Additionally, we heard that Core Application 2.0 was too U.S.-centric, making it difficult for international applicants to fully engage with some of the content. In response, we’ve introduced resources for non-U.S. filmmakers, encouraging funders to follow the lead of the International Documentary Association (IDA), who have offered specific training for international filmmakers on how to best engage with the application while onboarding applicants to their Open Call.

We’ve also seen growing interest from European funding agencies and other international organizations to explore how to integrate the Core Application into their own funding processes. We hope to see broader adoption of the Core Application across global funding agencies in the future.

Encouraging Funders to Engage: A Call for Reflection and Conversation

The revision process also included an important focus on encouraging funders to interrogate and reflect on what they truly need when assessing an application. With this in mind, we revised questions to discourage generic answers, encouraging filmmakers to provide more thoughtful, tailored responses that reflect their unique experiences and projects.

This engagement with the field began in 2023 with a feedback session at IDA’s Getting Real conference and a survey for filmmakers to provide input. Keisha Nicole Knight, former Director of IDA Funds and Advocacy, also presented the Core Application at the Camden International Film Festival in September 2024, where feedback from both filmmakers and funders helped shape the final revisions.

The Core Application is designed to be a living document — constantly evolving in response to the needs of the field. As we move forward, we are also addressing the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in filmmaking and the application process. IDA and Sundance Institute, in collaboration with the Archival Producers Alliance (APA) and Google’s Artists + Machine Intelligence (AMI) program, are working on an AI addendum for Core Application 3.0, which will be launched later this year. We hope filmmakers will feel empowered to contribute their thoughts and participate in the continued development of this important tool. If you are an independent filmmaker interested in sharing your thoughts to help us develop the AI Addendum, please complete the Filmmaker Survey: Generative AI and Documentary Film 

The Nonfiction Core Application has been a vital resource for nonfiction filmmakers seeking funding or fiscal sponsorship or applying to labs, fellowships, and residencies. With the introduction of the Nonfiction Core Application 3.0, several key changes have been made to improve clarity, accessibility, and alignment with evolving industry values. 

Key Differences Between Core Application 2.0 and 3.0

1. Streamlined and Clarified Language

• Core Application 3.0 refines the wording of several sections to make questions clearer and more direct. The “Story or Concept Summary” is now the “Film Summary,” and “Connection and Positionality” has been renamed “Connection and Point of View,” reflecting a more concise and accessible approach.

2. Expanded Word Limits for Greater Flexibility

• While Core Application 2.0 had rigid word limits for each section, Core Application 3.0 introduces a more flexible range. For example, the “Topic Summary,” previously capped at 500 words, now allows for up to 750 words, giving filmmakers more space to articulate their vision and themes.

3. Greater Emphasis on Ethics and Accountability

• The “Accountability and Community Care” section now explicitly references ethical filmmaking practices, including transparency, consent, and feedback from participants. It aligns with industrywide conversations on filmmaker responsibility and the impact of nonfiction storytelling.

4. Improved Accessibility Considerations

• The Core Application 3.0 places a stronger emphasis on accessibility both in production and distribution. Filmmakers are encouraged to outline how they will make their films accessible to disabled audiences and crew members, with an expectation that these costs be reflected in their budgets.

5. More Nuanced Approach to Filmmaker Identity and Perspective

• The “Filmmaker(s) Statement(s)” section now encourages applicants to articulate their creative evolution and the specific challenges they face as artists. Similarly, the “Connection and Point of View” section allows filmmakers to express how their lived experiences shape their storytelling.

6. Impact Question Update

• We’ve reduced the scope of the “Intended Impact” question. This revision helps make it clear that the application is primarily for projects seeking funding or fiscal sponsorship in development, production, or post-production. For projects seeking Impact funding, the Global Impact Producers Alliance (GIPA) and Sundance Institute have developed a separate Impact Application designed to streamline the application process and build a shared framework between funders and filmmakers.

7. Adjusted Visual Sample Guidelines

• Core Application 3.0 provides more explicit recommendations on work sample length based on the stage of production. It also strongly encourages the inclusion of captions or English subtitles, reinforcing the industry shift toward accessibility and inclusivity.

8. Funding and Budget Refinements

• The financial section now includes a clearer breakdown of funding sources, emphasizing transparency in the fundraising process. The new version also ensures that filmmakers account for duty of care, accessibility, and safety-related expenses in their budgets.

9. Language Translation

• In partnership with Doc Society and String & Can, we are pleased to offer Spanish, Portuguese, and French translations of the Core Application, expanding accessibility for non-English-speaking filmmakers and expanding our accessibility to their stories. 

Why These Updates Matter

• These updates reflect a growing recognition of the evolving documentary landscape, where accountability, accessibility, and ethical storytelling are central concerns. By providing more space for filmmakers to articulate their visions and ensuring key industry values are embedded in the application process, Core Application 3.0 is designed to support a more inclusive and responsible filmmaking ecosystem.
• For filmmakers, this means a more intuitive application process that better aligns with the realities of documentary production today. Whether you’re a returning applicant or applying for the first time, these updates ensure that your work is presented in the best possible light while championing ethical and accessible storytelling.

Looking Ahead

The launch of Core Application 3.0 is an exciting milestone, but it is just one part of an ongoing process of improvement. As the filmmaking community continues to grow and evolve, the Core Application will adapt to meet new challenges, foster deeper conversations, and reflect the values that matter most in our field: sustainability, safety, care, accessibility, and accountability.

We invite filmmakers and funders to join us on this journey. Your feedback, participation, and engagement will be critical to the ongoing success of the Core Application. Together, we can build a more inclusive, supportive, and sustainable future for documentary filmmaking.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts. If you are an independent documentary filmmaker, please take a moment to complete the Filmmaker Survey: Generative AI and Documentary Film  and share your feedback as we continue to refine and improve this important tool. Please direct any questions or feedback to: [funds@documentary.org]