Do I need to be a Film Society member to apply for fiscal sponsorship?
Yes, you must be a member at the Filmmaker Pro level or higher.

Is there a fee to apply for fiscal sponsorship?
There is a $40 application fee due with your application.

Are there any fees once I am approved?
There is a seven percent administration fee on all funds managed by the Film Society up to $100,000. After you raise $100,000 the fee is five percent. This fee covers the overhead expenses associated with managing the program. Donations made by credit card are subject to an extra three percent fee by the credit card company.

If my application needs work, will you help me?
Yes! The fiscal sponsorship manager reviews all proposals and provides a detailed critique on all aspects of the submitted package. If there are a substantial amount of changes required, the process will often extend depending on how quickly the filmmaker gets back to the Film Society with revised material. We will help you get your application in shape so you are ready to apply for grants and be successful.

What is an above-the-line cost?
This is an accounting term used by commercial production companies to refer to initial budgeted expenses for the producer, director, cast and scriptwriter working on a film production. This cost relates to nontechnical personnel and creative elements, such as artwork or graphics in the production.

What is a below-the-line cost?
This is an accounting term for production costs incurred for equipment, props, special effects, rentals, location fees and anything else of a technical nature needed for a specific commercial shoot. It also includes any insurance or taxes that must be paid as a result of the production requirements of the project.

What is a film treatment?
A narrative treatment is an abridged script, longer than a synopsis. It consists of a summary of each major scene of a proposed movie and descriptions of the significant characters and may even include snippets of dialogue. It reads like a short story. While a complete script is around 100 pages, a treatment is closer to ten pages or less. For documentaries, include a description of the story plus the look and feel of the film.

What is a synopsis?
A synopsis is a summary given in brief terms that covers the major points of the subject matter. In many cases it refers to the plot or facts of a film, book or some other kind of narrative. Synopses are usually more in-depth than a mere summary and aim to give a fair idea of the topic. In many cases, however, they will omit spoilers or only introduce the subject. In the case of a plot, they will cover only the first portion, often to try to make the audience see or read the real thing.

Can I apply for fiscal sponsorship with the Film Society if I don't live in California?
Yes. Our program is national. You can live anywhere, even in another country. As long as one of your project’s named project directors has a Social Security number, EIN (employer identification number) or ITIN (independent taxpayer identification number) or other type of IRS registration.

Can I still apply for fiscal sponsorship with the Film Society if I am not a US citizen?
Yes. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to apply for fiscal sponsorship with SFFS. However, at least one of your project‚s named project directors will need to have a social security number, EIN (employer identification number), ITIN (independent taxpayer identification number), or other type of IRS registration.

Does the Film Society help me raise money for my project?
It is the responsibility of each project director to raise their own money. We provide helpful fundraising tips to use when starting out, and our staff is always available to answer your questions. See our Resources page for foundation information.

Does SFFS submit applications on my behalf?
In most cases, the filmmaker is responsible for submitting their own grant applications. The exception to that is for a National Science Foundation (NSF) or National Endowment for the Humanities grant. Please note that due to a change in National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) regulations, SFFS will no longer be submitting applications on filmmakers' behalf to the NEA. SFFS will only submit applications that have been filled out completely and received three weeks prior to the deadline. Due to technical problems related to last-minute submissions, there can be no exceptions to this rule.

Does SFFS provide feedback on applications prior to filmmakers submitting them directly to foundations?
We are more than happy to provide feedback if there is sufficient time to do so. Applications must be received three weeks prior to grant deadlines.

How do I donate to a project listed on the Film Society Web site?

1. Select the project you would like to donate to from the list of current projects on sffs.org.
2. Click “Donate to this project now,” which takes you to the shopping cart.
3. Fill in the amount you would like to donate.
4. Proceed with the credit card donation.