DOES CHICKEN & EGG PICTURES SUPPORT POLITICAL FILMS?

As a 501(c)(3), Chicken & Egg Pictures is not able to support films or projects relating to influencing, directly or indirectly, a political campaign for public office in the US or internationally, regardless of the timing of the release of the film.

If you are unsure about your film’s eligibility based on the above, you can email us at egglab_opencall@chickeneggpics.org with a description of your film project.

DOES THE (EGG)CELERATOR LAB USE THE DOCUMENTARY CORE APPLICATION?

Since 2016, Chicken & Egg Pictures has opted into the Documentary Core Application. For this application, we have updated questions in alignment with the latest v.2022 of the proposal checklist. Our hope is that your responses to these questions will result in material that may be used for other applications as you move forward with your fundraising goals.

WHAT IF WE ARE CO-DIRECTORS AND ONE OF US IS A FIRST-TIME DIRECTOR, BUT THE OTHER HAS MADE MORE THAN TWO FEATURE-LENGTH FILMS?

Co-directing teams with one first- or second-time co-director and one more experienced co-director are allowed to apply. Please note that the prior work sample of co-directing teams that consist of a first- or second-time director and a more experienced director must be representative of the first- or second-time director’s experience.

HOW MUCH ARE (EGG)CELERATOR LAB GRANTS?

Grants for the (Egg)celerator Lab will be $40,000 for each selected film.

The grants will be disbursed in installments throughout the program, beginning in February-March 2025, with further installments tied to agreed-upon deliverables and deadlines.

 

WHY DO PROJECTS NEED TO BE IN EARLY TO MID PRODUCTION BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINE?

We encourage applicants to apply whose project is in early to mid production at the time of the application deadline. As a general guideline, we recommend that if you have between 10%-60% of footage for your film shot, you are in a sweet spot to apply. 

If you are still in development/pre-production, then the story and sample that you submit will likely not be as competitive within the application pool. Similarly, if you are in late production, you may be looking to finish and premiere before the program year begins. 

If selected for the Lab, the program year will begin in February 2025. In the nine months from when the application closes to when the Lab begins, we anticipate that you will keep moving forward with production in the meantime. Only projects in production are eligible to apply because we want to ensure that we have the greatest opportunity possible to make an impact on the production of the project and on the development of the director’s career during the 2025 program year. That being said, we understand that production timelines are dependent on many factors including funding and may change from what you indicate in your application. 

 

IF I APPLIED IN THE PAST BUT MY PROJECT WAS NOT SELECTED, CAN I REAPPLY?

If the director is a first- or second-time filmmaker, and if the project has still not shot more than 60% of its footage, past applicants may apply again. We urge you to consider how your project has evolved since your last submission and to clearly state how that progress is evident in both your proposal and current work sample.

Note: The program will take place from February to December 2025. If you are planning to have a rough cut by the end of 2024 or by the first quarter of 2025 your project is too advanced and not eligible to apply.

 

CAN I APPLY WITH MORE THAN ONE PROJECT?

Please only apply with the one project that you feel is the best fit for Chicken & Egg Pictures. Read our guidelines and look at past films we have supported through the (Egg)celerator Lab to get an idea of our interests. If you really cannot choose between two projects, you can email us at egglab_opencall@chickeneggpics.org with a short description of both films and ask for our advice (this advice will not impact your application). Always include your project title name(s) in the subject line of your email.

IF I’VE BEEN SUPPORTED BY CHICKEN & EGG PICTURES IN THE PAST, CAN I APPLY WITH A NEW PROJECT TO THE LAB?

If you have received funding from Chicken & Egg Pictures in the past, you can apply with a new project as long as you meet all project and applicant eligibility requirements.

However, if we have already supported your first feature-length documentary through the (Egg)celerator Lab, you are not eligible to apply with your second feature-length documentary project.


DOES MY PROPOSAL HAVE TO BE WRITTEN IN ENGLISH?

Yes.

I HAVE NOT SHOT ANYTHING YET FOR MY PROPOSED PROJECT. I HAVE A GREAT IDEA, A CHARACTER, AND ACCESS. HOW CAN I APPLY?

Projects in the early production stage are eligible. At least 10% of shot material is required. No matter what stage of the project, filmmakers are required to submit at least seven minutes of edited footage to apply. Second-time directors must submit a previous work sample.