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Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Film Commission and Trident Technical College’s one-of-a-kind INDIE GRANTS program is currently accepting applications from for its next funding cycle. The program will provide two selected short film projects with up to $35,000 in production funds along with access to gear and professional assistance throughout the production process.

Created to bolster South Carolina’s homegrown film industry, INDIE GRANTS connect rising filmmakers with the resources they need to take their ideas from script to screen. The short films created through the program have been official selections at more than 200 international film festivals, including Sundance, Tribeca, the American Black Film Festival, and more.

“As a double minority working outside of Hollywood, many opportunities have simply been out of reach,” said Destiny Macon of Greenville, whose INDIE GRANTS film TALK BLACK was a 2022 HBO Short Award finalist. “Being awarded this Indie Grant answered my prayer that doors would start opening for me, and I believe it will be the impetus for many more to come.”

INDIE GRANTS submissions are due July 31 at indiegrants.org. It’s the only program of its kind in the country, and one of many initiatives from the South Carolina Film Commission to expand our in-state film crews and strengthen the industry.

“While our application submission instructions are very specific, our eligibility criteria are intentionally broad,” said Film Commissioner, Matt Storm. “Any South Carolina resident with an interest and passion for film can submit their application for this program. We’re working to expand the footprint of film in South Carolina, and INDIE GRANTS is an important tool in helping us do that. By cultivating our local content creators and growing production crews, we’ll continue attracting the big names and big budgets of film, streaming, and television projects to the Palmetto State.”

Students from Trident Tech work on the project as paid interns under professional crews, gaining invaluable real-world, hands-on job training.

“No other state does this," said Brad Jayne, Indie Grants Producer. “The fact that we have this thoughtful, pragmatic approach to workforce training and professional development for in-state content creators reflects well on us.” 

Recent INDIE GRANTS collaborators include Oscar-winning Cinematographer Russell Carpenter (Avatar: The Way of Water, Titanic), Anna Camp (Pitch Perfect, Perfect Harmony), Madeleine McGraw (Black Phone, Outcast), Jackie Hoffman (Glass Onion, Only Murders In The Building), AJ Bowen (You’re Next, The Sacrament), Peter Simonite (The Perfect Guy, Tree of Life), and writer Brad Land (Goat). 

Projects selected for funding will be announced in October. The full application, submission requirements, and program information can be found at indiegrants.org.

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