Grants for filmmakers: SC Film Commission’s INDIE GRANTS program accepting applications

June 3, 2025

Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Film Commission and Trident Technical College have opened the next round of applications for their INDIE GRANTS program. South Carolina filmmakers can apply for up to $45K in funding and other production support for professional short films.

Submissions are due August 11 on indiegrants.org. Up to three projects will be selected to receive production funds, along with access to gear and professional assistance throughout the production process.

The program’s primary function is as a real-world training environment for South Carolina’s film industry, where the next generation of crew from Trident Tech work under professionals on each selected project as hands-on training. 

“This is a very pragmatic, effective approach to workforce training," said Brad Jayne, INDIE GRANTS producer. “And at the same time, these short film projects show off our state and our storytelling to the world, which also serves as valuable professional development and exposure for the homegrown side of our industry.”   

By connecting emerging crew with veteran professionals, the projects also serve as networking opportunities and bridges to employment.

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

INDIE GRANTS projects have been official selections at more than 200 international film festivals, including Sundance, Tribeca, American Black Film Festival, Slamdance, Austin, Stiges, and Palm Springs.

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

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Need more information?   Sam Queen
Director of Corporate Communications
SC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism
1205 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC 29201
| 803-734-1779
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