Resources and Opportunities for Black Talent in Film and TV: January 2026
- John Eriomala
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Looking for film funding or festival entries? Explore the January 2026 Black Film Wire guide to resources for filmmakers across the global Black diaspora.
2026 is heating up to be an exciting year for film and TV. For budding and established black talent, this also represents multiple opportunities to upskill, exhibit work on larger stages, and secure funding for passion projects. It is to this end that Black Film Wire has put together an extensive list of available opportunities and resources for interested individuals. We hope that it serves you well on your film journey this year, whether you’re in the US, the UK, Nigeria, other parts of Africa, or anywhere in the Black diaspora. Enjoy!
UK
Lookaside Films Film Financing and Development Webinar:
UK-based Lookaside Films will be holding online webinars on February 10 and March 11 aimed at creatives and/or producers in the early stages of their careers. It’s targeted at learning about self-funding, crowdfunding, development funding, co-productions, pre-sales, grant finance, development strategies and other core principles for short films and feature films development.
Open to: All
Deadline: Not fixed. But limited slots are available.
To apply: Visit here.
Silver Screen Analog Short Film Fund:
Silver Screen, in partnership with Kodak, Cinelab Film & Digital UK, Arri Rental, Company 3 and Film Festival Doctor, has announced its Analogue Film Fund. The £10,000 fund is for filmmakers who have an interest in shooting on celluloid with substantial support, including rental cameras, a lens hire package, and 16mm film stock, among others. The selected projects will be screened in London in May.
Requirements: A script of 15-pages or longer, including logline, synopsis, cast and crew, previous work, creative motivation, target audience, and budget. Maximum 3 shooting locations. Feasible 5-day shoot. Any genre (under 30 minutes).
Open to: Filmmakers worldwide (but must be shot in the UK)
Deadline: Not included, but early submission is advised.
To apply: Visit here.
USA and Canada
Shore Scripts Spring Season Short Film Fund:
The Shore Scripts Spring Season Short Film Fund is offering a $15,000 production grant and $4,000 in finishing funds to help bold short films get made and seen. Their track record includes wins at Sundance, Tribeca, Cannes, and the BAFTAs, and appearances at Palm Springs, BFI London, and Austin. It’s a shot at turning your script into a festival-ready production.
Open to: Filmmakers worldwide
Deadline: February 27 (Early), April 2 (Regular), and May 4 (Final)
iTVS Incubator Fund:
The Independent Television Series Fund targets development support for nonfiction features and web series, plus a three- to six-month incubator to advance your program materials. Up to $10,000 in funding, potential additional funding up to $30,000, a 3-6 month incubator, and editorial feedback and guidance.
Requirements: Read here.
Open to: Legal residents or citizens of the US or its external territories, age 18 and above.
Deadline: None
To apply: Visit here.
Vancouver Queer Film Festival 2026 Call for Entries
Enter your film, TV series, or web series to the 38th annual Vancouver Queer Film Festival, happening on September 10-27, 2026! All selected films are offered a competitive screening fee, with fee waivers to indigenous filmmakers and underrepresented filmmakers. It will take place from September 10-20, 2026, in-person and September 21-27, 2026, online
Requirements: Read here.
Open to: 2SLGBTQIA+ storytellers (i.e. director, writer, and/or lead producer)
Deadline: April 15
To apply: Visit here.
2026 American Black Film Festival Call For Entries
The American Black Film Festival, Miami, is officially accepting submissions. Filmmakers are invited to submit their work to be screened at one of the most celebrated festivals in the world in the following categories: Short Film, Narrative Features, Documentary Features, Series, AI and XR Storytelling Showcase, and Microdrama Project.
Requirements and Open to: Category-dependent. Visit here.
Deadline: February 10
To apply: Visit here.
2026 Blackstar Film Festival Submissions:
The 2026 Blackstar Film Festival is officially accepting submissions from Black, Brown and/or indigenous filmmakers within and outside the US.
Requirements: Visit here
Open to: Persons of African descent or who otherwise identify as Black, Brown and/or indigenous or featuring them.
Deadline: February 1
To apply: Visit here.
International
Kino London Short Film Fund:
The Kino Short Film Fund, powered by Genera Film,s is for any filmmaker anywhere in the world to apply for. It includes up to £5000 to cover the costs of Production, Post-Production or Distribution, a weekend hire of one of The Unit Bag’s bespoke camera and lens packages, a lighting package courtesy of Matte Black, and mentorship from an award-winning producer.
Requirements: Visit here (Paid submission)
Open To: All
Deadline: 14 February
To apply: Visit here.
The self-acclaimed largest film production prize in the world is heading into its 9th year with prize money up to $!.2 million. The program offers comprehensive mentorship and distribution support to help get unique stories onto the big screen.
Requirements: Read here.
Open to: All
Deadline: February 6
To apply: Visit here.
FiLM iNDEPENDENT 2026 Labs and Grants:
FiLM iNDEPENDENT has an array of grants available for 2026, including the following sections: Documentary Producing, Episodic, Fiction Producing, Fiscal Sponsorship, and Nonfiction Works-in-Progress.
Requirements, Deadlines, and Application: Read here.
Open to: All
In partnership with THE WRITERS GUILD FOUNDATION, The Diverso Fellowship is a fellowship program for statistically overlooked student screenwriters. Vetted by a rigorous committee of industry professionals, three talented students will be selected to spend ten weeks over the summer of 2026, attending panels with renowned industry professionals, learning from the best by shadowing writers' rooms, and receiving mentorship to refine their scripts and prepare for professional opportunities, including staffing or representation
Requirements: Read here.
Open to: Statistically overlooked writers currently enrolled in a community college or university as an UNDERGRADUATE or GRADUATE student (Winter' 25 Graduates are eligible)
Deadline: February 9
To apply: Visit here.
The 2026–2027 Feature Film Producers Fellowship is a yearlong program designed to nurture emerging producers with project-specific support through the Producers Lab, year-round mentorship from a dedicated industry mentor, film industry networking opportunities, professional development, and project advancement strategy workshops, and ongoing support from Sundance Institute staff. The program is designed to hone emerging producers’ creative instincts and evolve their communication and problem-solving skills at all stages of their next feature film.
Requirements: Read here.
Open to: Candidates living in the US.
Deadline: February 11
To apply: Visit here.
For more opportunities like these, visit the Black Film Wire resources section.