MONTANA BIG SKY FILM GRANT The Montana Big Sky Film Grant has been created to build partnerships with filmmakers and production companies by providing seed money to enable the creation of jobs related to filmmaking production, enhance the marketing of Montana s tourism regions, people, history, overall quality of life, and support Montana s filmmaking community. The Montana Big Sky Film Grant presents the following categories of funding on an annual rolling basis with a total cap of $1 million dollars per fiscal year: 1) If a film project meets the grant criteria and shoots at least 50% of principal photography in Montana, a qualifying scale of funds up to 20% of all expenditures while filming in the state can be eligible for allocation. 2) If a film project meets the grant criteria and the in-state spend exceeds $300,000, but does not shoot at least 50% of principal photography in Montana, a qualifying scale of funds up to 15% of all expenditures while filming in the state can be eligible for allocation. 3) If a filmmaker is a resident of Montana and has a validated credit as a Producer, Director or primary Director of Photography on a nationally distributed theatrical release, they can apply for a resident filmmaker allocation up to $50,000 for a project that meets the grant criteria and shoots at least 50% of principal photography in Montana. 4) If a Montana filmmaker and/or resident production company creates Montana centric content that can be screened exclusively on grant funded YouTube Channels they can apply for resident filmmaker allocations up to $50,000. (Length and content must be pre-screened prior to application. See screening info in Instructions and guidelines. Contact montanafilm@mt.gov with any questions. 5) If a film associated with Montana, either by filming here or shot by a Montana resident filmmaker, is accepted into a juried/world class festival, up to $5,000 can be allocated for marketing assistance and travel to the festival. Note: As a stipulation for receipt of a Montana Big Sky Film Grant, each recipient will properly credit the state of Montana at the appropriate level. This could include a listed credit, logo placement in the film credits and/or on posters, web pages and other marketing materials, as well as screening considerations, cross marketing on DVD and/or other negotiable concepts. Only one grant per project can be awarded. Sunset on this program is set to expire in 2016. APPLICATION DEADLINES are the 15 th of each month. Completed application can be sent for review via email to: Montanafilm@mt.gov. Signed forms are to be returned to: Montana Film Office, Department of Commerce, 301 South Park Ave Helena, MT 59620-0533 Grant funding is available depending on the annual remaining grant pool. Contact the Montana Film Office at montanafilm@mt.gov or call 800-553-4563 for more information and available funds. 1
MONTANA BIG SKY FILM GRANT INSTRUCTIONS & GUIDELINES Complete all five sections of the application, and the certification page. The five sections are: I Applicant Information II Project Description & Operating Plans III Financial Profile IV Project Tourism Appeal V Need for Project (Proposals must be prepared and presented in a professional manner). Number and letter your responses to correspond with the number and letter of the application section and question you are responding to. Feature Film Production Timeline - Completed Applications must be received no less than 60 days prior to the start of principal photography or festival travel. - Submit a completed application no less than 60 days but not more than 180 days prior to the start of principal photography in Montana or travel. - Start principal photography in Montana no more than 45 calendar days before or after the principal photography date provided in the production s original application. - Feature Films Require a third party CPA review no more than 60 days after filming. What kind of costs qualify? Qualified production costs are costs for tangible property or services used or performed within Montana directly and predominantly in the production (including post production) of a qualified film. Qualified production costs generally include most below-the-line items including costs of technical and crew production, expenditures for facilities, props, makeup, wardrobe, set construction, background talent, etc., and generally exclude costs of stories and scripts, and wages for writers, directors, and producers. Who can apply? The incentive applies to production costs incurred in Montana. Eligible productions include: - Feature Films - Episodic television series - Television pilots, TV presentations, TV movies and TV miniseries - Credited director or producer with previous theatrically distributed or Network presented projects. **Certain categories of productions are excluded from the program, including, but not limited to, short film, documentaries, news or current affairs programs, interview or talk shows, instructional videos, sport shows or events, daytime soap operas, reality programs, commercials, music videos. NOTE: These exclusions may not apply to YouTube content. Allocations The allocation amount is based on an evaluation all of the project s elements and how they best fit the goals of the grant. Consideration of the estimated tax credit to be earned will be considered in determining the allocation amount. An award will be given as a percentage of expenditures with a maximum allocated amount. Upon CPA review, if the production exceeds the expenditure estimate only the maximum will be given. If the production does not meet the budgeted estimate, the allocation will be adjusted at the percentage awarded. Due to required Non-disclosure agreements with the production entities, we can not disclose the award until principal photography is completed and a CPA review of the film budget has been completed. Work Force Development For Grant allocations over $100,000, no less than 1% of the total allocation must be reinvested into work force development, in the form of workshops, apprenticeships, and or seminars. 2
YouTube Proposals The YouTube initiative allows producers to create content that is distinctly Montanan for publication into one of three channels within the subjects of Exceptional People & Extraordinary Places, Montana Outdoors & Adventure and Reel Montana-All things Film in the Big Sky. Pitches will be reviewed in three phases, a preliminary pitch, a channel producer review and finally a grant committee review. Projects that meet the professional criteria, present original and unique Montana centric content, and fit within the programing schedule will be considered for Grant funding. Preliminary Pitch Requirements- Producers must submit the following basic information: 1) Company name, email, phone number, complete filmography with title/date/running time, links, awards, reviews and credits (e.g. - Director, producer, camera, editor, etc.) 2) A one paragraph professional bio (not resume) for professional work in the film/video industry. 3) A one-paragraph (no more, no less) treatment for each proposed episode. The treatment should include the basic form and style of the episode and a brief synopsis of the subject and an estimated per episode budget total. YouTube grants awards are limited to $50,000 per proposal, per company, per year. Submit materials to Montanafilm@mt.gov for a preliminary review. If approved, you will be asked to submit a grant proposal a formal review. 3
MONTANA BIG SKY FILM GRANT APPLICATION I. APPLICANT INFORMATION Title of Production: Company Name: Contact Name: Title: Business Address: City: State: Zip: Business Phone: Fax #: Email: Federal Identification Number: Grant Funds requested: (select one) Feature (MT 50% or more): Resident Filmmaker Grant: Feature (MT less than 50%): *Festival Marketing & Travel: **YouTube Grant: Date you will begin production in Montana (MM/YY): Date you will complete production in Montana (MM/YY): *Festival Name & Location: *Festival Dates: (MM/DD/YY) TO **List YouTube Deliverables: 4
MONTANA BIG SKY FILM GRANT PROJECT CRITERIA Selection Criteria: (A maximum of 500 points to be awarded for the applications sections II-V) LATE or INCOMPLETE applications will not be considered. II. Project Description (100 total points for this section) Provide a clear, concise description of your story, its connection to Montana, the producing entity, the production team, attached talent, directors and any other details that are a part of the production. III. Financial Profile & Operating Plan (150 total points for this section) List only funding sources that are secured for the Montana portion of the production at the time of application. DO NOT include funding sources that ARE NOT SECURED. INCLUDE AN ATTACHMENT OF YOUR FILM BUDGET AND SPECIFY THE MONTANA EXPEDITURES Total Project Cost Local Spend $ $ Also include the production s Montana locations (non-specific), start date of Montana preproduction, start date of principal photography, overall total of principal photography days, total principal photography days in Montana, completion date of principal photography, total number of crew, and projected number of those that would be in-state hires. IV. Project Tourism Appeal (100 total points for this section) Describe how the project could provide a broad, long term tourism impact and/or presents Montana in an indelible way to the public and/or film industry. V. Need for Project (150 total points for this section) Describe how the proposed project will have an economic benefit on the local Area, region and state (jobs created, payroll generated, etc.). 5
MONTANA BIG SKY FILM GRANT PROJECT CERTIFICATION On behalf of the applicant identified on this application, I certify that the submitted application meets all the eligibility requirements for the Big Sky Film Grant. I understand that that no funds will be awarded to a project prior to written approval by the Montana Film Office, Montana Department of Commerce. The applicant hereby certifies: A. That the applicant will comply with all applicable laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, national origin, age, or handicap. B. The applicant is aware the Montana Film Office must comply with certain state requirements which may impact proposed projects. Montana Film Office funded projects must comply with all federal, state and community licenses, permits, laws and regulations. C. To the best of my knowledge and belief the information contained in this application is true and correct and the documentation has been duly authorized by the governing body of the applicant. D. If applying for a Resident Film Grant, I am an eligible resident. Signature (required) Name (printed) Title Date 6