The 2027 (Egg)celerator Lab application will be live on Wednesday, March 4.
The Program Team will host an informational webinar to go over the application, guidelines, and eligibility criteria, followed by a Q&A session. Please check back here on March 4 for the link to register.
This year's open call includes several changes to the application and process:
We have updated application questions to be in line with the Core App 3.1.
We have transitioned to a new application platform that uses word counts instead of character counts. The word counts for questions are now in line with the Core App 3.1.
We have introduced an early-bird deadline, which is a month ahead of the final deadline to apply. The deadlines correspond to different application fees (see below).
Advance notice: Starting with next year’s open call in Spring 2027, the same project can be submitted only up to 3 times for consideration for the Lab. See more about this in our FAQ.
Deadlines and Application Fees:
The early-bird deadline will be Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 11:59pm EST - application fee of $20.
The final application deadline will be Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 11:59pm EST - application fee of $35.
Please note that late applications will not be accepted for any reason. You must submit your application via the platform by the deadline. Otherwise, you will have to wait until the next application cycle to submit.
If you have questions about the review and selection timeline, please refer to the Program Timeline section.
Overview
Founded in 2016, this program supports nonfiction filmmakers or filmmaking teams working on their first or second feature-length documentary.
In this year-long program, 9 filmmakers will receive:
$40,000 USD in grant funding for the production of their feature-length film
Mentorship with Chicken & Egg Films team members
Two creative retreats focused on career building and creative development
Travel stipend for director and producer upon acceptance to a forum or market during program year
Tailored industry meetings and funder connections
Peer support from their cohort
(Egg)celerator Lab is generously supported by the New York Community Trust, and through general operating support from our wonderful community of donors and grantmakers.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicant Eligibility Filmmakers must meet the following criteria:
Identify as a woman or gender-expansive filmmaker. Co-directing teams, where one director is a woman or gender-expansive filmmaker, are also eligible. If a prospective applicant does not meet the targeted demographic criteria, we will accept and evaluate the application based on merit/strength of the proposed project.
Be directing their first or second feature-length (48 minutes or longer) documentary film (hybrid docs are eligible). See the FAQ for Chicken & Egg’s definitions of first-time and second-time directors.
Be based anywhere in the world, except for countries which are under comprehensive US sanctions. Further information about US sanctions can be found here.
Project Eligibility Projects must meet the following criteria:
Must be a documentary or nonfiction film (including hybrid docs).
Must be intended as a feature-length (48 minutes or longer) film.
Must be in early to mid-production at the time of applying. We recommend that you have between 10-60% of your anticipated footage shot by the date of application.
Must be independently produced.
You do not need a fiscal sponsor to apply for this program. However, if you are awarded, you must secure a US fiscal sponsor or be a 501(c)(3) to receive the funds. We can advise on this if granted.
For more details about eligibility, please review the full list of FAQs at the end of this page. If you have any additional questions regarding our open call, contact us at egglab_opencall@chickeneggfilms.org.
evaluation criteria
Priority will be given to films committed to creating social change and/or uplifting underrepresented stories that challenge mainstream narratives. We support a broad range of issues from the personal to the political that explore a variety of artistic approaches, such as personal, experimental, animated, essayistic, archival, and beyond.
Subject Matter and Positionality: The project explores compelling and clear subject matters, themes, and questions, with an awareness of their relevance to our current moment. The story and/or approach aligns with Chicken & Egg Films’ mission and challenges mainstream narratives, conversations, or perceptions. The director demonstrates critical thinking and reflects on their own perspective and biases regarding the subject matter and approach.
Story and Concept: The film features a clear and compelling narrative trajectory or concept, including character arcs where applicable. The director acknowledges the elements that remain unknown and outlines how they will address these gaps. They express a vision for weaving together various elements and arcs into a cohesive and engaging feature.
Artistic Approach: The project shows a distinct and compelling creative vision which conveys a confident directorial voice. The work sample reflects the intended story, style, subject matter, and other project elements. The sample evokes an emotional response and conveys a tone that enhances the storytelling, demonstrating strong use of visuals, sound, music, pacing, and editing.
Access and Accountability: The director articulates their access and connection to the story, its participants, and the community involved. They welcome and integrate community feedback and thoughtfully implement processes for accountability that consider physical, mental, cultural safety and beyond. Furthermore, the director reflects on the potential impacts and consequences of the filmmaking process on participants, audiences, crew, and other stakeholders during and after filming.
Feasibility: The application outlines realistic and appropriate activities and a timeline that aligns with the film’s concept and artistic vision. It includes a carefully considered fundraising plan, and the budget is appropriate, reflecting the needs of the proposed activities and timeline.
work samples
Current Work Sample
The current work sample should meet the following criteria:
Length: Should be 7-20 minutes of material from the project with which you are applying. We encourage you to not spend extra resources creating a brand new sample for this application if you already have one you have used to apply to other grants/programs. If your current sample is longer than the maximum length of 20 minutes, you can provide timecodes for the portion of the sample you would like reviewers to watch and that best reflects your intended style and approach.
Content: Can consist of a combination of the following:
2–3 scene selects/excerpts
character strands
trailer/teaser/sizzle reel
We are looking at your ability to construct a story, and so a trailer alone will not be eligible nor competitive.
Scenes/excerpts do not need to be in chronological order, so put your strongest material first and separate scenes with title cards. Reviewers are required to watch up to the first 10 minutes in the first round. Work samples will be viewed in full in subsequent rounds.
Prior Work Sample
The purpose of a prior work sample is to give us a sense of the director’s visual style, storytelling ability, ambition, and follow-through.
For first-time feature directors, the prior work sample is optional, but should meet these criteria:
It must be a documentary, fiction-nonfiction hybrid, or other form of nonfiction.
It can be a short or feature-length film, including web series, animation, or experimental.
You may submit a work sample from a separate project in which you held a prominent creative role in the production, such as Producer, A.D., cinematographer, or editor. If you are not the director, please specify your role in the creation of the completed work submitted. Note that samples of work directed by you are strongly preferred over samples of work where you held a prominent role but did not participate as director or co-director.
Fiction work, music videos, commercial work, and PSAs are not accepted as prior work samples.
Second-time feature directors must submit their first feature-length documentary film that they directed or co-directed as their prior work sample.
APPLICATION
The majority of the questions are based on the Nonfiction Core Application 2.0 with some supplemental questions included. Please note that a new version of the Nonfiction Core Application 3.0 was released in February 2025. However, our open call is still based on the Nonfiction Core Application 2.0 to allow applicants more time to familiarize themselves with the 3.0 version.
Applications for the (Egg)celerator Lab are currently closed. The application will reopen in early 2026. You can reference the application questions from the past open call via the Program & Application Guide.
May - October 2025 | Chicken & Egg Films reviews applications in a three-round process |
October 2025 | Chicken & Egg Films interviews finalists |
November 2025 | Applicants are notified of their application status |
January 2026 | (Egg)celerator Lab program year begins with first cohort check-in call |
January - March 2026 | Grants disbursed |
February/ March 2026 | Spring Retreat (5 days, in-person - all costs covered by Chicken & Egg Films) |
July 2026 | Summer Retreat (5 days, in-person - all costs covered by Chicken & Egg Films) |
Please note, the program timeline may be subject to change, and any changes will be communicated in November upon acceptance into the program.
The program includes regular one-on-one calls with our team. Each of the projects will also receive individualized industry strategy consultations and mentorship.
FAQ
Women (cis and trans) and gender-expansive directors who are in production of their first or second feature-length documentary project are eligible to apply. Co-directing teams, where one director is a woman or gender-expansive filmmaker are also eligible. In this case, please note that the primary contact of the application should be the woman or gender expansive director.
Cis (or cisgender) refers to people whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were given at birth.
Trans (or transgender) is a term used broadly as an umbrella term to describe anyone whose gender identity differs from their assigned sex. It can also be used more narrowly as a gender identity that reflects a binary gender identity that is “opposite” or “across from” the sex they were assigned at birth.
Our working definition of gender-expansive is that it is an umbrella term that includes any person whose gender identity (including but not limited to non-binary, trans, third gender/two spirit, agender) or gender expression does not comply with the socially defined gender norms and roles of their culture.
If you are unsure about if you are eligible, please refer to the gender expansion page on our website for additional information.
Grants are $40,000 for each selected film. The grants will be disbursed in installments throughout the program.
Yes. For this application, the questions are in alignment with the 2.0 version (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 well.
You cannot apply with the same project for both the Research & Development Grant and the (Egg)celerator Lab in the same year. We will disqualify your (Egg)celerator Lab application without review if you have also applied for the R&D grant with the same project in the same year. These opportunities fund different stages of a project.
Please only apply with the one project that you feel is the best fit for Chicken & Egg Films. 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@chickeneggfilms.org with a short description of both films and ask for our advice. This advice will not impact your application.
You cannot apply with a film project that you are currently developing in an undergraduate or graduate program. However, if you started a film during a program, and are now independently working on the project, we can consider your film for the Lab.
If the director is a first- or second-time filmmaker, and the project has still not shot more than 60% of its anticipated 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.
Due to the continued growth in the number of applications to the (Egg)celerator Lab, we want to give advance notice that starting with the spring 2027 open call, the same project can be submitted only up to 3 times for consideration for the Lab.
If spring 2027 will be your fourth time applying, your project will not be considered. We strongly encourage you to consider whether the current open call is the right moment in your project’s life cycle to submit. The only exception is if you have received a written invitation from the Chicken & Egg Films Program staff explicitly inviting you to reapply.
As a general guideline, we recommend that if you have between 10%-60% of anticipated 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 you submit will not be 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 you are aiming to reach the rough cut stage by the end of 2025 or by the first quarter of 2026, your project is likely too advanced.
Filmmakers who have already received support on their first feature-length documentary through the (Egg)celerator Lab are not eligible to apply to the Lab with their second feature-length documentary project.
If the project was funded through an 2023 or 2024 R&D grant, you can apply to the (Egg)celerator Lab as long as this is still your second feature-length documentary. This is the only instance in which you may apply to the (Egg)celerator Lab with a project that was previously supported by Chicken & Egg Films.
To be eligible, the project must be directed or co-directed by a woman (cis or trans) or gender-expansive filmmaker. Additional team members, such as producers, who are key to the successful development of a project, may collaborate with the director to submit their application. Please note that the primary contact of the application should be the director(s).
As a small nonprofit organization, application fees greatly offset the cost of running our open calls, including paying our external reviewers. We aim to compensate external reviewers–who include filmmakers and industry peers–fairly for their time and expertise.
There is an early-bird fee of $20 if submitting by April 1, 2026 at 11:59pm EST.
There is a regular deadline fee of $35 if submitting by April 29, 2026 at 11:59pm EST.
We understand that a fee can pose a barrier to applying, especially for applicants experiencing financial hardships or who are based in countries with economic instability or unfavorable currency exchange rates.
A fee waiver can be requested by emailing egglab_opencall@chickeneggfilms.org. Please use the subject line: (Egg)celerator Lab - Application Fee Waiver and include a 1-2 sentence explanation for the request. Please make your request early, as the number of waivers available is limited.
If you are not experiencing financial hardship, we ask that you not request a waiver. We encourage you to apply early to take advantage of the more affordable application fee option.
A first-time director has never completed a feature-length documentary film and is currently working on their first feature-length documentary/nonfiction film.
A second-time director has already completed and premiered one feature-length documentary film and is currently working on their second feature-length documentary film. If a director has completed and premiered one feature-length documentary film and currently has one or more works-in-progress, the project they submit will still be considered their second feature as long as it has not been completed or premiered.
You are still considered a first- or second-time director, even if you have the following experience: you have directed multiple shorts or a web series; you have directed feature-length narrative film(s); you have produced feature-length documentary film(s).
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 first-or second-time director must also meet the Applicant Eligibility criteria listed above. The prior work sample must be representative of the less experienced filmmaker’s experience.
As a general guideline, we recommend that if you have between 10%-60% of anticipated 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 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 you are aiming to reach the rough cut stage by the end of 2025 or by the first quarter of 2026, your project is most likely too advanced.
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 program year. That said, we understand production timelines are dependent on many factors and may change from what you indicate in your application.
As a 501(c)(3), Chicken & Egg Films 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@chickeneggfilms.org with a description of your film project.
Yes.
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.
Yes. The standard credit we’ll request from grantees in the (Egg)celerator Lab will be “In Association with Chicken & Egg Films.”
Due to our limited staff capacity, we cannot provide one-on-one feedback to all applicants. We do provide some feedback for those whose projects are shortlisted. Chicken & Egg Films believes wholeheartedly in the importance of feedback and is constantly searching for ways to offer more support to all our applicants.
For any questions not addressed on this page, you can email us at egglab_opencall@chickeneggfilms.org.