Jackson Free Press

Mississippi Film and Video Alliance is giving new filmmakers a boost with the Emerging Filmmaker's Grant. The grants are available to filmmakers who are just starting out in the industry, and applications are due May 21.

Each year, the nonprofit distributes $12,500 to Mississippi filmmakers, funded by the Mississippi Film Office. An out-of-state panel of judges from the film industry selects the grant recipients.

"We've funded dramatic, narrative and documentary films—any project that has artistic or social merit," MFVA Vice President Sam Watson said. "… The main purpose is to help foster talent among filmmakers in our state and increase the talent pool of working professionals."

Watson said that the grants—$2,500 for non-students and $500 for students—are meant to be matching funds for projects that already have financing.

"People can make shorter works with the grants and a lot of people then go on to make their first feature," Watson said. "Film is a different business. People want to see what you've (already) done."

To obtain a grant application, call Sam Watson at 601-613-4602 or e-mail him at [e-mail missing] Grants applications are also available online on the MFVA's Facebook page.