Top Film Scholarships in 2021

Across America, there are many educational institutions that house the resources necessary to support the world’s next generation of great filmmakers. However, like any other path of study, it costs money. Film scholarships can help students lighten that financial burden and bring them on their way to being great creators of visual arts.

Top Film Scholarships
Summary of Film Scholarships
Expired Scholarships

Do you ever wonder who could be the next Tarantino or Kubrick? Maybe you even aspire to that level of fame for yourself? If you’re looking to study film, don’t put it past yourself! Keep on reading to find and apply for the top film scholarships!

Top Film Scholarships in 2021

$1,000 Nkhil Desai “Favorite Film” Scholarship

Eligibility: Students at all levels of education who share about their favorite film/movie of all time!
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: May 1, 2021

$1,000 Sani Life Scholarship

Eligibility: Open to all high school, college, and graduate students who share their 2020 experiences via a 200-800 word essay OR via a 2-5 minute video
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: June 1, 2021

$2,500 Make Your Mark BIPOC Arts Scholarship

Eligibility: Open to Black, Indigenous, and Person of Color students at all levels who are interested in new approaches to theater, dance, and/or film. Essay about a project you would like to complete is required
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: April 2, 2021

$500 Ocho Cares Artistry Scholarship

Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students who draw, paint, sculpt, dance, act, sing, rap, play an instrument, film/photograph, produce music/films, write, etc.
Amount: $500
Deadline: July 1, 2021

National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Scholarships

Eligibility: High school seniors who intend to pursue a career in the film and television industry.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: March 1, 2021

Dorian De Long Arts & Music Scholarship

Eligibility: Graduating high school student who intends to pursue advanced education (major or minor) in the arts. Must be attending a college/university in Colorado.
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: March 1, 2021

Sub Pop Loser Scholarship

Eligibility: Applicants must be residents of Washington or Oregon.
Amount: $7,000
Deadline: March 19, 2021

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Visual Arts Scholarship

Eligibility: Applicants must be an African-American or black U.S. citizen in a district represented by a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, a current full-time student at an accredited academic school, and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA.
Amount: $3,000
Deadline: April 30, 2021

2021 Student Academy Awards

Eligibility: College students who submit a short film
Amount: $2,000 to 5,000
Deadline: June 1, 2021

ConnectHER Film Festival

Eligibility: Students submit original short (3- to 6-minute) films focused on issues such as girls’ global education, ending violence against women, redefining beauty, women and the environment, and girls in tech. First time filmmakers are eligible (and encouraged) to submit.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: June 15, 2021

Ocean Awareness Contest

Eligibility: Students ages 11 to 18 who create a work of art in their chosen genre, including visual art, film, music, poetry, prose, and interactive and multimedia
Amount: Scholarships worth from $100 to $1,500
Deadline: June 15, 2021

The Gordon Hay Scholarship Fund

Eligibility: Students must be a graduating high school senior, college freshman, or college sophomore at the time of application. Student must be preparing to pursue or currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in a nonperformance discipline of theater (e.g. set/lighting/sound/costume design, stage management, arts administration, arts education, etc.). High school applicants must reside in specific counties of North Carolina or South Carolina. College sophomores and freshmen must reside in N.C. in S.C.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: June 21, 2021

The James Cox Foundation for Student Photojournalists

Eligibility: Undergraduate or highschool students.
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: November 15th, 2021 (opens July 15, 2021)

Summary of Film Scholarships

Expired Scholarships

Barbara Caras Memorial Scholarship for Film Students

Eligibility: Students must be majoring in film, computer animation, creative writing, illustration, or motion design, attend an accredited Florida college, reside in Sarasota or Manatee counties, and maintain a 2.75 GPA.
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: July 31, 2019

Charles and Lucille King Family Foundation Scholarships (cancelled due to Covid)

Eligibility: Juniors and seniors majoring in television and film at accredited 4-year, degree-granting U.S. colleges and universities.
Amount: $3,500
Deadline: April 1, 2021

The I rene Runnels-Paula McStay Scholarships

Eligibility: Students must be attending a public or private Texas school, have completed a minimum of 75 hours of coursework, maintain a 3.0 GPA, and be a full-time student with a minimum of 12 hours per semester dedicated to film, radio, broadcasting, advertising/communications, or public relations.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: March 7, 2021

About Qiyam Stewart

Qiyam Stewart a Scholarships360 writer who focuses on scholarships and financial aid. As an Admissions Fellow at Kenyon College, Qiyam has worked in the admissions office and interviewed prospective high school students applying to Kenyon.

Qiyam currently attends Kenyon College as a Philosophy major and double concentration in Law & Society and African Diaspora Studies.