What are your eligibility requirements? 

This program is open to disabled filmmakers who meet the following criteria: 

• Self-identifies as disabled

• Lives in the U.S. or Canada 

• 18 years of age or older

• Is a writer who wants to direct their own work

• Has no professional directing feature film credits

• Has not received a grant from other organizations totaling more than $25,000 to make a short film in the last 24 months

Ideal applicants: 

• Have strong and clear artistic vision

• Are highly collaborative

• Are prolific writers (i.e. have multiple feature-length projects with drafts completed)

• Are self-motivated (i.e. you are always finding ways to push forward proactively)

• Are resourceful, scrappy, and up for a challenge

• Can be strong ambassadors for Inevitable Foundation and the disability community in Hollywood 

We are specifically interested in filmmakers that are interested in working within constraints and know how to stretch a budget to achieve their vision.

What materials are required to submit for the application?

For your application to be considered, it must include:

• A polished feature script (the second half of the program will focus on preparing this project to take to market)

• A 5 min video of yourself pitching your feature length project (video file or link)

• A short film script

• 5-15 pages, or up to 15 minutes

• Must be tonally similar to the feature script as it will be used as the proof-of-concept for the feature.

• Two visual work samples, which may be any of the following:

• Lookbook/pitch deck

• Sizzle reel

• Short film

• Collection of storyboards

You can review the full application and required materials after completing the Eligibility Questionnaire.

What are the logistical and time requirements for the Fellowship?

Fellowship Work (Nov 2024 - Spring 2025):

• 5 hours of meetings per week with the expectation that Fellows will be advancing their projects outside of meeting times as well.

Production (Spring 2025):

• Fellows are required to be present and available in Los Angeles during the duration of production (15 total shoot days). All 5 Visionary Fellows will be expected to join for the production of  all 5 short films.

Post Production (Spring - Fall 2025):

• Weekly check-ins with Inevitable staff, with the expectation that additional post-production work will occur outside of meeting times.

How do I apply for the Visionary Fellowship?

We welcome applications from all interested individuals. We also encourage referrals from agents, managers, and creative executives who recognize exceptional talent. In addition, we invite Accelerate Fellowship alumni with interest in the feature film space to apply.

What does the application process include?

The application process will feature the following rounds: 

1. Qualifications and Personal Statements Assessment: In the initial round, Inevitable will review applicants' qualifications and personal statements. This helps us gain insight into applicants backgrounds, experiences, and motivations, ensuring a strong alignment with the program's objectives.

2. Visual Material Review: To better understand the applicant's creative vision and storytelling abilities, Inevitable Foundation will carefully examine applicants’ submitted materials, which may include short films, lookbooks, storyboards or any other relevant visual content. 

3. Recommendations from other Filmmakers: Inevitable will present the top applicants to a panel of diverse, disabled and non-disabled filmmakers. This panel will provide valuable insights and recommendations to Inevitable Foundation’s Board of Directors regarding selection for the program. Their expertise and unique viewpoint will contribute to the final decision-making process, ensuring that a wide range of voices is represented in the program's cohort.

Do I need to be disabled to receive a Visionary Fellowship?

Yes. All of our programs are for individuals that self-identify as disabled. This includes all kinds of disabilities, including physical, intellectual, developmental, psychiatric, visible, or invisible disabilities, as well as chronic conditions, mental illness, and neurodivergence.

Do I need to submit finished scripts in my application?

Yes. The application requires one finished feature script and one polished short film script that is ready for production.

Do you accept Visionary Fellows from outside the United States?

Due to the location-specific component, at this time we are only able to accept applicants from the United States and Canada. Please note that interested parties from outside the United States are subject to additional review in order to comply with U.S. Treasury Department regulations.

Is the Visionary Fellowship for a person or a specific project? 

The Visionary Fellowship supports multiple projects, both a short and a feature film, from an individual filmmaker. This Fellowship is one of Inevitable Foundation’s more project-focused programs, which is why polished scripts are required for application.

I’m part of a filmmaking team, can we apply together? 

Teams may apply and share the Fellowship when both are disabled. For filmmaking partners where one partner is not disabled, the disabled team member will be the recipient of the grant in entirety, and there may be additional screening of the non-grantee filmmaking parter, to ensure we’re creating a supportive and collaborative experience for all of the filmmakers selected for the program.