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Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to be Muslim to apply? No, you do not need to be Muslim to to submit an application.
- How does the fund quantify a U.S.-Muslim story? Projects need to tackle subject matters or topics that touch on the U.S. Muslim perspective and community. Does your film center Muslim(s) protagonists? Does the international components widen the aperture of the U.S.- Muslim story, protagonists or topic context? Does your film lead with the intention of creating a film that awakens the point -of -view and narrative(s) of Muslims in the United States? If yes, your film qualifies. If you answered no to any of these questions your project likely doesn’t qualify.
- What if my film is also filmed overseas? Your film can be filmed overseas, but we need to know in your written materials how your film’s international components and storylines help illustrate the understanding of the U.S. Muslim community. You must clarify the core ethos and tenets of the film and how it’s illuminating again, a U.S. Muslim community/ protagonist and their story through the project you submit. We suggest you make this clear in your story and topic summary of your application.
- What if I am applying for Research & Development and don’t yet have visual materials? You can submit a deck of your current project (ideally with still images), as well as a visual sample in which you were a former director and/or producer. If you were a producer on the former visual sample, make sure to explain what part of the sample you helped create; were you in the field? Did you conduct research? Did you conduct casting? Etc. Be specific.
- Can co-directors apply? Yes. Co-directors must write a dual statement and explain how they are sharing the responsibility of directing the project.
- What should my visual sample be? Your visual sample must be a minimum of 15 minutes if you are applying for production funding. Your sample should NOT be a pitch reel. It can be a scene(s), a trailer and/or a string of scenes that demonstrate your story structure, tone of your completed film, visual style, and intended editing style. In all, your visual sample should be the closest example of what your final film will look and feel like.
- What do you mean by “full length rough cut?” If you are applying for post-production funds, we require a full-length rough cut to be submitted. By this, we mean the film should be close to completion and the running time of the rough cut should be comparable to the final length of the film (26:46, 56:46, 1:26:46 or 1:56:46). We do not accept trailers, selects, demo segments, or assemblies as sample work for post-production.
- Will I hear back if I make it into the second round? Maybe. Sometimes we need further updates from filmmakers if they make it into the next round and sometimes we do not. Regardless, if you are awarded a grant, you will be notified at the end of the review process regarding the status of your project.
- Do I need a fiscal sponsorship to apply? No.
- Does the Building Bridges Fund include broadcast rights? No. If you are awarded funding it does not include a distribution agreement.
- If I have been previously awarded funds for my project can I apply again for another funding tier? Building Bridges caps funding for a single project at $100,000. If you have previously applied to the fund- you are only eligible to receive the difference. You are not eligible to apply again if the film was previously awarded $100,000.
Requirements:
CAAM recognizes the International Documentary Association’s (IDA) documentary CORE application and has incorporated most of the standardized application requirements.
- Project Title
- Logline
- Story Synopsis
- Topic Summary
- Connection to the Story – We recommend reviewing Documentary Accountability Group (DAWG’s) website of resources when writing this prompt. They have a handbook, From Reflection to Release: Framework for Values, Ethics, and Accountability in Nonfiction Filmmaking that you can download. That framework centers an ethics of collaboration, care, and accountability. You can also read Doc Society’s Safe and Secure handbook.
- Artistic Approach
- Intended Audience
- Distribution Goals
- Production Timeline
- Grant Impact- If you are to receive funds when they are dispersed at the end of the year- please explain how you will use them.
- Full line item budget in USD (If you are applying for R&D a line item R&D budget is only required).
- Total Secured and Pending Funds
- Visual Sample
- Production – you must submit a minimum 15-minute sample of the project that is being submitted.
- R&D – you must submit at minimum a deck with still images. We would rather see a deck of original still images of the film than an AI version of a reel. Be authentic in your materials you’re submitting.
- Post-production – you must submit a full-length rough or fine cut to be considered.
- Director’s Previous Work
- Team bios
AI: Reviewers are quite adept at picking up on the use of generative AI. Your command of English doesn’t have to be fluent, in fact it’s more authentic if it’s in your own voice. If you’re unsure about expression, ask an English speaking fluent friend to review your application. For talking about AI in your film a good resource to be aware of is the Archival Producers Alliance and their Generative AI Initiative which offers best practices guidelines for filmmakers and supplemental Tool Kit and Case Studies in 2025.
The application review process: CAAM takes approximately six months to review all applicants. Finalists in the 2026 Call for Submissions will generally be notified in late summer 2026 to submit an update. Due to the high volume of applications we cannot answer emails regarding status updates.