Climate in Color: Reframing our Future Short Film Grant

Addressing Climate Justice Through Film

This exciting grant will allow a winning filmmaker to produce a short film addressing environmental climate justice issues impacting Black communities that highlights some innovation for the future.

The films can be narrative or documentary, and will need to be based on at least one of the pillars of work that the Center for Environmental and Climate Justice prioritizes for its work with communities:

• Right to a toxic free environment (including removing contaminants from air, water, soil and everyday items such as clothing)
• Energy Democracy (including imaginative ways for communities to consider relationships with energy sources)
• Sustainable Communities (including disaster resiliency work, water infrastructure, tree canopy, food eco-systems)
• Zero Emissions

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be at least 18 years of age by May 16, 2025. 
• Must submit script for short film based on at least one of the pillars that the NAACP Center for Environmental and Climate Justice prioritizes for its work with communities.
• Must submit one creative sample  (short film, commercial or photography) that demonstrates your skill set as a filmmaker
• Must submit a written statement between 250-300 words answering the essay questions below.
• Must provide your transportation to and from Charlotte, NC to discuss the grant-funded film. (Local hotel accommodations will be provided for selected filmmakers/activists based on double occupancy).
• Must provide your transportation to and from New York Climate Week to debut the grant-funded film. (Local hotel accommodations will be provided for selected filmmakers/activists based on double occupancy).

DISCLAIMERS:

• Projects that are currently in production or post-production will not be considered.
• Each applicant is only allowed to submit one project.
• Applications are open to residents of the U.S.
• Projects must be in English or have an English translation
• Narrative and documentary films can be considered
• Screenplay should not exceed 15 pages
• Filmmakers are responsible for clearing any rights and permissions to the film.
• Applicants must share their NAACP Membership number

NAACP Empowerment Programs, Inc. shall be the exclusive owner, including without limitation, owner of all intellectual property rights, in all films, including all footage shot or edited as part of the grant or with equipment furnished as part of the grant.  

The winning filmmaker will be announced at Hollywood Climate Week in June, and their completed film will be showcased at NY Climate Week in September, where we are an official partner. These filmmakers will each be awarded a grant to produce a short film with the NAACP Center for Environmental & Climate Justice, NAACP Hollywood Bureau, and NAACP+ Studios. Learn more here.

Applications are due by May 16, 2025 8:59 PM (PT)/11:59 PM (ET).

Apply Now