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MadWerkz RENDER Grant Application

SUMMER 2026

Please Read

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Application Deadline – October 16th 2026 @Midnight

Notification Schedule: 4-6 Weeks after application submission

This application requires documents to be uploaded. At this time, it is not recommended that items be uploaded from an iPad or iPhone. To be certain, it is best to fill out this application from a desktop computer.

This is an online application. If you would like to practice inputting information, you can download a sample application here.

Project Title

If you have more than one project, you must submit another application

Applicant's Name

First

Last

Production Company (if applicable)

Applicant's Email

Confirm Email

Phone

Address

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

If Other, explain:

Referring Person or Organization (If applicable)

Have You Submitted This Project Before?

Submitted this Project before? If yes, lets shorten your application. Choosing yes does not effect your award chances.

If YES, explain:

Clicking YES, bypasses the project details and uploads. Please explain when (what year) and include the Name of your project and the person who submitted. Understand, we may need to contact you if can not find your project details.

Section 2

Film Website / URL

Input the website of the film (if available)

YouTube Trailer

Input the Trailer of the project (if available)

Film Facebook Page

Input the Facebook url of the film (if available)

Section 3

Type of Film

Choose the best choice that applies

If Other, explain: (copy)

1. Pitch Cover Letter

Please Read Carefully

Please name your file: “FirstName-LastName-ProjectName-Pitch-Cover-Letter”.pdf (or doc)

Please upload your Pitch Cover letter to go with the additional grant materials you will upload. (see below). The Pitch should restate your Logline and Short Synopsis, explain where you are currently in production, and answer the following questions:

What stage of the project are you in? Research, development, pre-production, production, or post?
Approximately which grant(s) do you need?
Do you have a release (theatrical, festival run, distribution) and marketing plan for your project? If so, please attach your plan below.
Are there any unique or special features to your project?
Do you have coverage on your script or outline?
How is your project being funded? How much have you raised?

Video Pitch

If you would prefer to submit a Visual Pitch, upload it to Vimeo or YouTube, keep it unlisted (not public), and send us the link below. Use the medium to your advantage, but be sure to name the video in keeping with our name structure: “FirstName-LastName-ProjectName-Pitch-Cover-Video”

In both cases, be sure to provide as much detail as possible.

Project Logline

Pitch Cover Letter

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Upload your Pitch Cover Letter (doc, .xls, .ppt, .pdf). 25mb file size limit.

Pitch Cover Video: Vimeo or YouTube Link

2. Proposal

Please Read Carefully

Please name your file: “FirstName-LastName-ProjectName-Proposal”.pdf (or doc)

Please upload your 1-6 page Proposal (for documentaries), or a 1-2 page Story Synopsis or Outline (for short films or features). If short or feature, please include your first 10 pages of your script, any pages that include visual effects. Also include any Look Development, swatches, Lookbook, and examples of the color plan you have.

Include the following:

Name and CV/reel of the Visual Effects Supervisor
Name and reel of the Director of Photography
Any Photos or Samples, if you have them

Be sure to provide as much detail as possible.

Project Logline and Synopsis or Outline (Please name your file: "FirstName-LastName-ProjectName-Proposal".pdf (or doc))

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Upload your Project Logline, Synopsis instead (doc, .xls, .ppt, .pdf). If you have it in a document. 25mb file size limit.

3. Producer/Crew Bios

Please name your file: “FirstName-LastName-ProjectName-Producer-Crew-Bios”.pdf (or doc)

Project Logline and Synopsis or Outline (Please name your file: "FirstName-LastName-ProjectName-Producer-Crew-Bios".pdf (or doc))

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Upload your Project Logline, Synopsis instead (doc, .xls, .ppt, .pdf). If you have it in a document. 25mb file size limit.

4. Budget

Please name your file: “FirstName-LastName-ProjectName-Budget”.pdf (or doc)

Project budget (Please name your file: "FirstName-LastName-ProjectName-Budget".pdf (or doc))

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Upload your Project Budget (doc, .xls, .ppt, .pdf). If you have it in a document. 25mb file size limit.

5. Sample Work (If any)

Enter a URL to previous work, a video of your demo reel, sample work, or work product.

Video URL (prior work)

Demo Reel URL

Applicant's Role on Sample Work as Credited

Describe the role applicant held in the work sample

Section 4 RENDER Grant Rules of Award

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 $725K.
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.

RENDER Grant Application Disclaimer

MadWerkz Studios makes no representations or guarantees, verbally or in writing, that shall be deemed as a form of award or acceptance of this application. Applications’ acceptance shall be communicated, in writing via email, directly to the applicant as listed in the application.

Nothing in this application, statements, or accompanying writings, communications, advertisements, or social media engagements on behalf of the RENDER Grant shall be construed as a promise or guarantee regarding the outcome of the Candidate’s application.

MadWerkz grants services to Candidates based solely on the potential of their application, their skills, and the promise of their project. The grant reward will be decided by the voting of judges.

MadWerkz or the Judges’ comments about the potential, comments, or outcome of Candidates’ projects are expressions of opinion only. The Judges’ opinions are theirs alone.

In addition, MadWerkz shall have no liability whatsoever for any claim relating to any Candidate’s inability to access the information properly or completely or for any claim related to any errors or omissions in the services.

The Grants are provided on an “as is” and an “as available” basis. “MadWerkz” makes no guarantees or warranties on products, services, sales, or trade situations, whether express or implied. “MadWerkz” and its related entities disclaim the implied warranties of titles, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose.

Candidates and Grantees shall indemnify and hold MadWerkz harmless against any and all claims, demands, suits and other forms of liability, including liability for reasonable counsel fees and other legal costs and expenses that may arise out of, or by reason of, any action taken or not taken by the Candidates and/or Grantees in conformance with this provision.

Section 5 Application Handling Fee

Please Read Carefully

Choose which grants you want to apply for. NOTE: 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.

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. If you are applying for multiple grants and would like to request a discount, contact us at Producer@MadWerkz

The Handling Fee for each Grant is $25, except for the Find Your Sky Mega Grant, which is $35
There is an additional $3 fee for Square processing

NOTE: We also accept Paypal, Cashapp and Venmo. For Venmo, send the total to our Venmo (below) and make sure you press SUBMIT, then email us at MadWerkz for a receipt. Good Luck!

You Grants Demo

Type(s) of Grants Requested

25K Find Your Sky (All In)
15K: The L. Kennedy Color Grading
12.5K: Heroes and Villains Visual Effects
8K: Dolby Atmos 5.1 Audio Post
5K: Digital Cinema Packaging Grant
2.5K: Let’s Fix It in Pre-Production Consult

You may choose as many as you like, though there is a handling fee for each entry. If you are using Venmo, choose the Pay through Venmo option, then Send Payment to our Venmo Business Account. Be sure to hit SUBMIT to send your data.

Coupon

If you have a Coupon, please enter it here.

Total

$0.00

Square

Card

Name on Card

Pay by Venmo

Venmo Business

Choose Venmo Business

Use our Business Venmo payment system and save cash. Choose the Pay through Venmo option and then use the Venmo Business Payment here – Send your payment to:

@madwerkz (MadWerkz Studios)

Make sure to include the notation “LastName-ProjectName” in the Description notes.

Remember, the Handling Fee is $25 (for each grant) except for the Find Your Sky Mega Grant, which is $35. We will send a receipt to your email address. Goodluck!

MadWerkz Business Venmo