This year, Catapult accepted applications for our new Project Accelerator initiative with an inaugural focus on stories about the impact of technology in our society.

Catapult is building upon fifteen years of our flagship Development Grant program by deepening our commitment to nonfiction storytelling during a critical time. This year, Catapult accepted applications for our Project Accelerator, a new funding opportunity with increased support for urgent, story-driven documentaries. This timely initiative will provide up to $50,000 USD in development grants and dedicated strategic advising to early-stage features and shorts that align with key themes. This initiative is made possible with generous support from Luminate.

Current Opportunity: Technology & Society

In 2025-2026, Catapult is partnering with Luminate to support up to four (4) projects that explore the impact of technology on people and communities across the world. We seek creative nonfiction features and shorts that amplify under-represented voices and examine political, environmental, and social implications of technology for democracy and human rights around the world. Applications will be accepted through our fall Development Grant cycle, which will include a special section for Project Accelerator eligibility and consideration.

Guidelines & Eligibility

• Projects must be documentary features or shorts in the development or early production stage; we do not support docuseries at this time

• Stories should have a global or international scope, with a preference for stories from under-represented communities; U.S.-based projects will be case-by-case

• Topics should explore technology’s impact on human rights, democracy, and the intersection of gender, race, climate, or and other social issues, with a preference for character-driven narratives

For more information, contact us at accelerator@catapultfilmfund.org with “Tech initiative” in the subject line.

Past Initiatives:

The SFFILM Catapult Documentary Fellowship (2018-2019) provided timely support for makers working in the early stages of development on documentary features. Catapult partnered with the Bay Area film organization to offer filmmakers a $10,000 cash grant, a two-month residency at FilmHouse, and strategic consultation. Learn more about this program here »

2019:

• The Thief Collector - Allison Otto

• Suha - Yusef Srouji

• Exodus Stories: Voices from the Caravan - Ilse Fernandez

2018:

• Mixed Status - Isabel Castro

• Philly DA (working title) - Ted Passon and Yoni Brook

• Untitled Dystopia Film - Malika Zouhali-Worrall