FSC-LEF FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP

The Film Study Center-LEF Foundation Fellowship is open to Boston-area nonfiction filmmakers who are not affiliated with Harvard.

One filmmaker per academic year receives a $10,000 grant (jointly funded by FSC and LEF Foundation), access to FSC’s pool of production and post-production equipment, and the opportunity to participate in the Harvard FSC community through work-in-progress screenings, workshops, and other activities.

Central to the FSC-LEF fellowship is participation in the work-in-progress screenings several times a month (generally Tuesday evenings). At these meetings, fellows have the opportunity to present rushes, rough cuts, or fine cuts and receive feedback from other fellows. Participation by the FSC-LEF fellow is expected.

The Film Study Center can support digital video work and also welcomes applications from those working in 16mm film; we can provide film cameras and Steenbeck editing flatbeds capable of both regular and super 16. View a full list of FSC film and video equipment here.

To be considered, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• They reside within 75 miles of Cambridge, MA (driving distance).
• They are the director of the proposed project. Co-directors who each meet all of the eligibility criteria may also apply as a team and share the fellowship.
• They will not have been affiliated with Harvard for two years prior to the start of the fellowship, nor will they already be affiliated with Harvard during the academic year of the fellowship.
• They will not be enrolled in an undergraduate or master’s degree program during their proposed fellowship year.
• Their proposed project is a short or long-form moving image work intended for cinema exhibition (multi-channel and installation will not be considered) and it engages with nonfiction filmmaking and/or experimental/hybrid nonfiction modes. 
• They demonstrate an artistic practice in film/video by providing one prior completed work for which they served as director.
• Their proposed project will be in production or post-production during most or all of the fellowship year.
• They will benefit from and contribute to the FSC community through participation in fellowship programming during the fellowship year.
• They have a non-profit fiscal sponsor for the project, or will have one in place by the start date of the fellowship.

What is not a good fit:

• Filmmakers and projects that don’t meet the eligibility criteria above. 

• Commercial productions, work-for-hire projects, and episodic work for television or streaming. 

• Projects that are too early or too far along in their process to be able to benefit from access to the FSC’s filmmaking equipment and work-in-progress feedback.  

If you have any questions about applying for an FSC-LEF Fellowship, please email fsc@fas.harvard.edu.

APPLICATION AND APPLICATION GUIDELINES 

FSC-LEF Fellows:

Milton Guillén (2023-24)
Amy Jenkins (2022-23)
Khary Saeed Jones (2021-22)
Kathryn Ramey (2020-21)
James Rutenbeck (2019-20)