BlackStar and FotoKem Offer $12,000 Short Film Finishing Grant, Applications Close October 1

The BlackStar x FotoKem Short Film Contest will provide one filmmaker with a $12,000 package of professional post-production services for a narrative short already in post-production.

Filmmakers of colour in the United States and Canada with a narrative short approaching completion have until 1 October 2026 to apply for a new post-production opportunity from BlackStar Projects and FotoKem.

The BlackStar x FotoKem Short Film Contest will award one filmmaker the FotoKem Lodge Finishing Grant, providing professional post-production services valued at US$12,000.

The programme is intended specifically for short narrative films that have completed principal photography and are already in post-production.

Projects must run under 30 minutes, and applicants will need to provide at least a rough cut. BlackStar says competitive projects should ideally be picture-locked.

Unlike a conventional cash grant, the $12,000 award is delivered as a package of FotoKem post-production services rather than money paid directly to the filmmaker.

Applications opened on 3 September and close at 11:59pm ET on 1 October 2026.

One short film will receive $12,000 in post-production services

Only one project will receive the Lodge Finishing Grant.

The selected filmmaker will be able to use FotoKem’s professional post-production facilities and services to complete the short.

FotoKem operates across film processing, digital colour finishing, sound, mastering and delivery, and has worked on productions ranging from independent films to major studio releases.

The winning project will have 12 months from notification to complete the film, with the grant period expiring on 18 November 2027.

The award does not cover travel, accommodation or per diem expenses.

Which short films are eligible?

The contest is restricted to narrative shorts under 30 minutes.

Eligible genres include comedy, romantic comedy, horror, science fiction, speculative fiction and experimental narrative work.

Documentaries are not eligible.

The project must already have completed principal photography and reached the post-production stage. BlackStar says films should preferably be picture-locked when submitted.

Completed films cannot apply, while projects that remain in development, pre-production or production are also ineligible.

Pilot episodes intended for a continuing series are not accepted.

Applicants need to submit a rough cut or more advanced version of the film. Trailers alone cannot be used as the submission.

The director must be a filmmaker of colour in the US or Canada

The programme is designed for filmmakers of colour based in the United States, US territories or Canada.

Eligible US territories specifically include Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

While a producer, cinematographer or editor may complete the application, the actual Lodge Finishing Grant will be awarded to the film’s director.

Co-directors can participate provided they meet the eligibility requirements.

The filmmaker must also retain the majority of the intellectual property rights to the film.

Current film students are not eligible

There is an additional restriction for filmmakers currently enrolled in education.

Applicants cannot be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate programme related to film, visual art, communications, creative writing or media.

That makes the opportunity more relevant to independent and working filmmakers than to filmmakers currently completing film-school programmes.

BlackStar employees and members of its board are also ineligible.

Applications close October 1

The application timeline is:

• Applications opened: 3 September 2026
• Application deadline: 1 October 2026 at 11:59pm ET
• Application review and panel deliberation: October 2026
• Finalist announcement: 18 November 2026

Projects will go through a two-stage selection process involving an internal review followed by a guest judging panel.

The eventual recipient will then have until 18 November 2027 to complete the film using the FotoKem services provided through the grant.

BlackStar expands its support beyond the festival circuit

BlackStar Projects is best known for the BlackStar Film Festival, but the organisation also operates year-round initiatives supporting Black, Brown and Indigenous filmmakers and artists.

Its programmes include filmmaker development, exhibitions, publications and other professional opportunities.

The FotoKem partnership is particularly practical because it targets a common funding gap for independent shorts: the point after principal photography when editing, colour, sound and final delivery can still require significant resources.

For filmmakers who do not meet BlackStar’s geographic or eligibility requirements, Indie Shorts Mag’s guide to the Shore Scripts Short Film Fund covers a separate $4,000 finishing award that is open to filmmakers internationally.

BlackStar x FotoKem Short Film Contest: key details

• Programme: BlackStar x FotoKem Short Film Contest
• Award: FotoKem Lodge Finishing Grant
• Value: US$12,000 in post-production services
• Number of recipients: One
• Deadline: 1 October 2026, 11:59pm ET
• Eligible format: Narrative short film
• Maximum runtime: Under 30 minutes
• Production stage: Post-production; preferably picture-locked
• Geographic eligibility: United States, eligible US territories and Canada
• Director eligibility: Filmmakers of colour
• Documentaries: Not eligible
• Completed films: Not eligible
• Current film/media-related undergraduate or postgraduate students: Not eligible
• Recipient completion deadline: 18 November 2027

With around three weeks remaining before applications close, eligible filmmakers who already have a rough or picture-locked cut should assess the post-production work their project still requires and prepare their application before the 1 October deadline.