EXCLUSIVE: Academy Award-nominated documentarian Stanley Nelson’s production company Firelight Films has partnered with Hulu to launch the Hulu/Firelight Kindling Fund, which will afford three mid-career filmmakers with $25,000 for the development of an original documentary feature or limited series.
In addition to the cash award, filmmakers selected for support will benefit from one-on-one professional development sessions on producing for Hulu with Hulu’s documentary division. Awardees will be expected to develop their projects into a robust treatment, pitch deck, budget and schedule for a first look by Firelight Films and Hulu. Project pitches considered for additional development or greenlight from Hulu will, if selected, be co-produced with Firelight Films, executive produced by Stanley Nelson, for streaming on Hulu.
The Fund is open to alumni of Firelight Media artist programs including the Documentary Lab, Groundwork Regional Lab, William Greaves Research and Development Fund, PBS/Firelight William Greaves Production Fund, Impact Campaign Fund, Spark Fund (NEH), FRONTLINE/Firelight Fellowship, In the Making documentary short film series, and the HINDSIGHT or HOMEGROWN: Future Visions documentary short film series. Additional filmmakers may apply by invitation only from Firelight Films.
Those looking to apply must submit their project title, logline, treatment, and professional credits by March 31, with Firelight to then perform an interview review and select up to 12 finalists for pitch sessions. Submissions will be evaluated based on the strength of the project’s affinity with Firelight’s mission as well as Hulu’s content priorities.
