The AXS Film Fund, committed to empowering creators of colour living with disabilities, is accepting applications from interested individuals, persons living with a disability, and those from underserved communities for the 2026 edition of the AXS Film Fund, established to support documentary filmmakers and non-fiction new media creators living with disabilities from a range of backgrounds. The Fund also welcomes applications from all creators, regardless of background.
The Fund awards up to five creators with grants of up to $10,000 each annually to assist them in completing their projects at any stage of production. The Fund supports the production of feature-length documentary films with a run-time of 45 minutes or longer or nonfiction new media projects that include a film/video component. It seeks to bring visibility to a diverse body of creators covering a broad range of topics, and aims to support three to five artists in this round.
To be eligible, applicants must not be enrolled in any degree-granting programme; should be 18 years of age or older; should be individuals, and may have a fiscal sponsor; and should be the director or producer of the project.
Eligible projects must meet the following criteria to be considered for the grant:
- Projects should be a documentary film or nonfiction new media project.
- Documentary projects should be feature-length films (experimental nonfiction will be accepted)
- The project can be in any stage of production (pre-production, production, post-production, distribution).
- Projects in languages other than English should have English subtitles. Your application should be completed in English.
The Fund encourages projects that are led by individuals who identify as living with a disability, particularly those from underserved communities.
Applications would be dismissed if the project is a fiction project; is a narrative fiction film based on a true story; the applicants are hired, employed, or commissioned by another entity; and have an incomplete application and/or are missing supporting materials.
AXS Film Fund will not contact applicants about incomplete applications and will not consider projects submitted after the submission deadline.
AXS Film Fund will not accept applications from its current employees, board members, and their relatives; however, former employees, board members, and their relatives will become eligible to apply to the fund three years after they leave AXS Lab.
For clarifications on any aspect of the application, applicants are advised to visit the Fund’s What we Fund or FAQ pages, or send an email to filmfund@axslab.org.
For further information and to apply, please visit https://axsfilmfundapply.smapply.us/prog/axs_film_fund_open_call_2026/.
The deadline for submission of entries is July 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM (EST).
