Grant Award Categories

Enter for as many grant awards as you like. Although you will have to complete a different proposal for each category.

(1 Winner - Feature, 2 Winners - Short)

25K: Find Your Sky Post Production Grant

(1 Winner - Feature, 2 Winners - Short)

25K: Find Your Sky Post Production Grant

10k Visual Effects, 5k Color Grading, 5K Audio Post, 2.5k DCP, 2.5 Pre-Production Consulting A full package of finishing services for your film. Restrictions apply; see the description here. Judges will select 1 Feature film applicant and 2 Short film applicants

Render Application

(2 Winners - Feature, 3 Winners - Short)

15K: The L. Kennedy Color Grading Grant

(2 Winners - Feature, 3 Winners - Short)

15K: The L. Kennedy Color Grading Grant

7.5k Color Grading, 5K Editorial, 2.5 Pre-Production Consulting. Editorial finishing services for your film. Restrictions apply; see the description here. Judges will select 2 Feature film applicants and 3 Short film applicants.

Render Application

(3 Winners - Feature, 5 Winners - Short)

12.5K: Heroes and Villains 2025 Visual Effects Grant

(3 Winners - Feature, 5 Winners - Short)

12.5K: Heroes and Villains 2025 Visual Effects Grant

10k Visual Effects, 2.5k Pre-Production Consulting. High end VFX Compositing accomplished in Nuke, Fusion and 3D apps such as Houdini, Maya. Does not include Render Farm cost. Judges will select 3 Feature film applicants and 5 Short film applicants

Render Application

(4 Winners - Feature, 10 Winners - Short)

8K: Dolby Atmos 5.1 Audio Post Grant

(4 Winners - Feature, 10 Winners - Short)

8K: Dolby Atmos 5.1 Audio Post Grant

Sponsored by Johnnycake Chili Crisp. Dolby Atmos 5.1 Audio Production, 2.5k Pre-Production Consulting. We’ll convert your Stereo Master Audio to a Dolby Atmos 5.1 audio package. MUST agree to Pre-Production consultation. Judges will select 4 Feature film applicants and 10 Short film applicants.

Render Application

(10 Winners - Feature, 20 Winners - Short)

5K: 2025 Digital Cinema Packaging Grant

(10 Winners - Feature, 20 Winners - Short)

5K: 2025 Digital Cinema Packaging Grant

2.5K DCP, 2.5K Pre-Production Consulting We will convert your film to a trusted DCP for Theatrical Screening or Festivals. Judges will select 10 Feature film applicants and 20 Short film applicants. To learn more about our DCP Services, check out our DCP Calculator page.

Render Application

(First 100 Applicants)

2.5K: 2025 Let's Fix it in Pre-Production Grant

(First 100 Applicants)

2.5K: 2025 Let's Fix it in Pre-Production Grant

Pre-Production Consulting The first 100 Applicants will receive 10 Hours of consultation on their upcoming or pre-post-production project. This includes a free license for our Color Grading Masterclass, a $275 value. For more information, visit the Awards page here.

Render Application

Apply for Grant

Rules and Conditions

There are a few Rules to applying for the grant. Simple, yet we are steadfast in our insistence that they are followed. No exceptions.

Untruthful and deceptive statements, admissions, and/or attempts to deceive the jury, MadWerkz, will be grounds for immediate cancellation of the award and will subject the applicant to a request for repayment of all services provided at that time.
The services provided in the grant may only be used for the Project they were awarded. This is grounds for immediate cancellation of the award and will subject the applicant to a request for repayment of all services provided at that time.
We do not offer grants to productions that have funding above $75K.
Productions that are receiving State Tax Incentives are prohibited from receiving a grant.
Relatives, business partners, and employees of MadWerkz, the Judges, Grant Handlers, and assistants are prohibited from applying.
The grant award may not be used or implied as an endorsement of the applicant’s Project.
Applicants agree that the Project may not contain any sexually explicit, illegal, or content of a graphic nature that violates the laws of the United States or its territories.
The applicant may use the grant award in their promotional activities and MarCom plans.
Applicants agree to freely disclose all content that would violate the rules and terms set forth here.

Have a Question? Browse this section for answers.

FAQs

Is RENDER a contest?

No, RENDER is not a contest. It is a series of grants, awarded to seasoned and aspiring filmmakers to foster excellence and achievement in cinema. Awarded for years to filmmakers at GCUFF, the Grant Program RENDER is now an annual award program. It gifts Independent Filmmakers with free post services.

What do the Judges look for in an application? What should I focus on?

This is the most asked question we get. Our Judges come from all sides of the film industry. Some are newcomers, fresh off their first or second film, while others are seasoned professionals. So we can’t tell you what moves them. Our instructions to them: Do The Good. We want to be a force multiplier in your project and its footprint in the world. So, make your pitch reflect your film and the mark it will make on the world. If our presence in your film will help, you’ve got a chance. Good luck!

The application is online. Should I gather my information before I apply?

Smart move. Yes, we recommend you download our application readiness PDF here, and then once you have gathered all your information, fill out the online application, and let’s start making movies!

What should my pitch include?

Your pitch should include the following:

Logline of your film
Short Synopsis
What MadWerkz can aid you with (color grading, VFX, DCP Creation, etc.)
How will that aid impact the film?

Good luck!

My film is just a comedy, or an action film. Should I still apply?

Yes! We love comedies and action films. And we’ve awarded projects like that many times in the past. A well-done comedy can change the world.

Can I do a video pitch and include it with my application?

Yes! Upload it to Vimeo or YouTube, mark it private, and include the link with your application. We’d love to see it. Although we give both (written and visual) pitches equal weight.

What is Pre-Production Consulting and why is it mandatory?

A quality pipeline and workflow are the basis for a successful post-production. In order to provide positive outcomes, we insist on establishing a good understanding of the workflows and the data pipeline to be adopted and used in the film. Unfortunately, we’ve learned through tough experience, this step is needed for us to deliver on our promise.

The consulting is generally centered around gaining that understanding through conversations with the DoP, the Director, and the Editor. Questions, such as how VFX shots will be delivered, for example, are best answered before the production has occurred.

Can I get Pre-Production Consulting by itself?

Yes, contact us at imadgineverything@gmail.com

Are there restrictions on who can apply?

Yes! In order to be fair, we don’t offer grants to productions that have funding above $75K. Also, productions that are receiving State Tax Incentives are prohibited from receiving a grant. For more information on restrictions, see the application and/or contact us imadgineverything@gmail.com

What is the deadline entry date?

RENDER is awarded twice a year, and thus we have labeled them Production and Pitch. Anyone familiar with film knows that spring and summer are very active times to conduct production. Therefore, we’ve constructed RENDER’s Production deadline to end in August (August 22nd). The Pitch deadline ends on January 21st. That gives Producers planning their production enough time to fully utilize the grant.

I won a grant. How long do I have to use it?

Our grants are good for 18 months. Many of our past winners have used it on their next film. If you need more time, just let us know.

Which term is better? Production (Summer) or Pitch (Winter)?

Neither, both fill up quickly. Normally, winter (Pitch) happens while Festival season is in gear, so as we meet Producers, they will apply very quickly. Bottom line: apply quickly.

I wasn't chosen, Can I re-apply the next term?

Yes! You can reapply the next term. Word of advice: take another look at your application and re-examine your pitch. Or your marketing plan. Are your goals realistic? Look at your level of experience. Is your script too ambitious given your resources outside of what we can provide? We are interested in your success. Realize your voice!

Before I reapply, do you provide feedback?

A limited amount, yes. We’ll give as much feedback as you’d like, given it is contained in a single session. Contact us if you want to schedule a Zoom call.

Can I apply for multiple Grants?

Yes. You can apply for as many grants as you believe will help you. NOTE: You will still need to pay the handling fee for each grant you apply for.

I am applying for multiple grants, can I get a discount on the handling fee?

The handling fee is to pay for an assistant to process and distribute your application to our judges. This person will also be available to answer any questions you may have concerning the grant.

THOUGHT MANIFESTED

DO THE GOOD

"MadWerkz delivers 80+ DCP's for us each festival season. They are invaluable to our success. They've been wonderful partners, taking time to work with each of our filmmakers."

Donna Dabbs, Executive Director, GCUFF

"My documentary was in the finishing stage when I won the grant, so I wasn't sure what could be done to make it better. Christopher and the gang walked me through the process, which required a re-edit and conform for color grading, and helped me feel comfortable that the finished product would be a level up. They are so knowledgeable, its scary how much they know!"

Branson Wright, Documentary Producer, ESPN Sports Writer

"I needed to present my teaser at AFM last year, and I needed a professional color grade. MadWerkz had done post sound on my Feature Call Center so I was familiar with their work. I applied for the grant and the color grade took my tease to the next level. Turned a lot of heads at AFM!"

Rahim Branch, Producer/Director, Streetlight Commitee

"When I screened my film Eli's Liquor Store at the film festival, my wife suggested that I apply for the grant and I was totally surprised when I won. It took almost a year for my next film, Contrast to go into production, but MadWerkz was with me throughout, walking me through the best way to shoot the dozens of visual effects I scripted into the film."

Alonzo F. Jones, Producer I Actor Skruluz Entertainment

Blah, Blah, Blah.

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Making the Guide for Special Needs Trust

The Arc of Northern Virginia asked MadWerkz to design their Special Needs Trust brochure, A Beginner’s Guide. After 2 years in development, the final result was a highly stylized, 11x17 stitched, Pantone printed Forty-Four-page booklet.

Making DCPs

Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at 6:30PM, MadWerkz Founder, Joddy Eric Matthews sits down LIVE and takes us through the process of producing a DCP (Digital Cinema Package) that meets film festival guidelines and approval.

Bringing The Heat

The Detroit Radiant Company engaged MadWerkz with an opportunity to produce an animation that would complement the launch of their new REV Series radiant heater product.

The Growth of the Human Spirit

The United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland had a straightforward goal for their 2019/2020 Annual Report and that was to create an engaging, interactive ebook that would house both custom woodcut illustrations and quick animations for each of this year’s honorees.

Brand Identity: Green Therapy

Green Therapy is a company that provides awareness to the benefits of premium natural products as an alternative to pharmaceutical therapies through the sale of cannabis products.