ALFRED P. SLOAN FOUNDATION

The goal of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation film school program is to influence the next generation of filmmakers to create more realistic and dramatic stories about science and technology and to challenge existing stereotypes about scientists and engineers through the visual media.

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation film school program aims to help aspiring and professional screenwriters and filmmakers integrate science and technology themes and characters into their work.

This innovative program awards prizes at six leading film schools: American Film Institute; UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television; Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama; Columbia University Film Department; NYU Tisch School of the Arts; and USC School of Cinematic Arts.

ALFRED P. SLOAN FOUNDATION GRANTS OFFERED AT AFI CONSERVATORY

1st Year Screenwriting Award--$15,000 grant for a 1st Year Screenwriting Fellow's feature length script. Script must accurately and positively feature science and/or scientists prominently.

2nd Year Screenwriting Award--$15,000 grant for a 2nd Year Screenwriting Fellow's feature length script. Script must accurately and positively feature science and/or scientists prominently.

Production Award--$25,000 grant for a 2nd Year Thesis film. Script must accurately and positively feature science and/or scientists prominently. All 1st Year Fellows are eligible to pitch an idea for their 2nd Year Thesis film.

Eligibility:
The AFI Sloan awards are specifically for enrolled AFI Conservatory Fellows. In order to apply, Fellows must:

  • Send a one-paragraph (minimum) synopsis of their story idea, clearly explaining the field of science and/or technology that will be featured in their script.
  • Work with an approved science advisor that has been assigned to them by AFI. The science advisor will be a working scientist or engineer that directly relates to the science and/or technology featured in the Fellows' synopsis.
  • Submit a finished script along with their science advisor's written report stating the science and/or technology featured in the script is both accurate and positively portrayed.

Selection Process:

  • Eligible scripts are reviewed by committees made up of AFI faculty/staff, film community professionals, and working scientists/engineers.
  • Finalist scripts are reviewed and decided on by the Sloan Foundation.

Sloan Tuition Scholarship--One year of tuition covered for an incoming 1st Year Fellow. Accepted incoming Fellows fill out an application explaining their science background and passion for making science-related films in their career. Applications are reviewed by a science advisor and AFI administration. Finalists are then submitted to the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to determine recipient.

How To Apply:
Fellows interested in the Sloan Awards (Screenwriting and Production), will attend the Sloan Seminar in January, submit their synopses in March, and completed scripts will be due in May. For the Tuition Scholarship, applications are due in the summer, before the 1st Year Term begins.

Deadlines Timetables For Completion:

  • AFI Fellows interested in applying for the Sloan grant are required to attend the annual Sloan Seminar in January. At the seminar, information related to the grant is presented and Fellows have an opportunity to learn about a specific science related topic.
  • Synopses are due by the March deadline, to be matched up with a science advisor.
  • Finished scripts and science advisors' written statements are due in May.
  • After scripts are reviewed in May and June by committees of AFI faculty/staff, film community professionals, and working scientists/engineers, the finalist scripts are sent to Sloan for review. Sloan makes the final decision on which scripts receive the awards.

For more information contact:
Chris Schwartz
Manager, AFI Conservatory