This program supports nonfiction filmmakers or filmmaking teams working on their first or second feature-length documentary.
In this year-long program, filmmakers receive:
$40,000 USD in grant funding for the production of their feature-length film
Monthly mentorship with Chicken & Egg Films team members
Two creative retreats focused on career building and creative development
Tailored industry meetings and funder connections
Peer support from their cohort
(Egg)celerator Lab is generously supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, 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).
Be based anywhere in the world (except for countries which are under comprehensive US sanctions).
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 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.
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.
Relevance: Is this a timely story? Are there core questions that will be explored in the film? Are the topics and themes compelling and relevant?
Storytelling & Artistic Approach: Is there a clear story and narrative trajectory? Is there a compelling creative vision and artistic approach?
Access & Positionality: Does the filmmaker articulate their connection to the story, film participants, and community? Are they thoughtful about the processes for accountability in working with them?
Production & Budget Plan: Does the filmmaker outline a realistic project timeline and budget?
APPLICATION
The 2026 (Egg)celerator Lab open call information will be announced in early 2025. Please subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
The majority of the questions are based on the Nonfiction Core Application 2.0 with some supplemental questions included. More information about the next (Egg)celerator Lab application will be made available when the Open Call is announced in early 2025.
March 2025 | 2026 (Egg)celerator Lab Open Call launches |
April 2025 | 2026 (Egg)celerator Lab Open Call closes |
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, this timeline may be subject to change.
The program also includes monthly one-on-one calls with our team. Each of the projects will also receive individualized industry strategy consultations with International Program Consultant Tereza Simikova.
FAQ
Grants are $40,000 for each selected film. The grants will be disbursed in installments throughout the program.
Yes. 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 well.
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 one feature-length documentary film and is currently working on their second feature-length documentary film. A director who has completed one feature-length documentary film and has two works-in-progress is considered a second-time director as long as they have not completed/premiered a second feature documentary film. 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 prior work sample must be representative of the less experienced filmmaker’s experience.
If the director is a first- or second-time filmmaker, and 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.
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 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.
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.
For any questions not addressed on this page, you can email us at egglab_opencall@chickeneggfilms.org.