Student-centric advice and objective recommendations
Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.
Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here.
Top 61 Film Scholarships in June 2023
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.
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!
Jump ahead to…
- Top film scholarships
- How to win film scholarships
- Resources for film students
- Frequently asked questions about film scholarships
- Explore these additional scholarship categories
Top 54 Film Scholarships in June 2023
The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies:
- The scholarship requires a fee to apply
- The scholarship provider’s privacy policy allows for the misuse of student data
- The scholarship requires paid membership in an organization (with certain exceptions for reputable trade organizations and others)
- Student are required to sign up for a site or service to apply*
- The scholarship seems primarily used for lead generation** or idea harvesting purposes***
- The scholarship website has many grammatical errors and/or advertisements
- The scholarship or scholarship providing organization seem untrustworthy
- There is no evidence the scholarship was previously awarded
- The scholarship has not been awarded in the past 12 months
- There is no available contact information
If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll take a look!
* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system.
** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements.
***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.
Ocean Awareness Art Contest
Are you an 11 - 18 year old who has a passion for saving the environment and/or the ocean? Additionally, would you like to make a statement about the impact…
Show MoreBreakthrough Junior Challenge
Are you a middle or high school student with a passion for STEM? If so, consider applying for the Breakthrough Junior Challenge! Each year, the challenge awards $250,000 to a…
Show More$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship
The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high school student who hopes to…
Show More$2,000 Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay
Easy scholarship from Nitro College open to all high school, college, community and graduate students.
Niche $15,000 No Essay Scholarship
Open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year.
FMAA Scholarship Program
The FMAA Scholarship Program is funded by the Flag Manufacturers Association of America, an organization that educates the American public on issues pertaining to the construction and sale of the…
Show MoreYoung Filmmakers Contest
Whether you're in third grade or are a post-graduate, if you love filmmaking, we may have the perfect opportunity for you: the Young Filmmakers Contest! Each year, the contest awards…
Show MoreEdward G. and Helen A. Borgens Elementary Teacher Scholarship
The Annual Financial Empowerment Scholarship is open to college and graduate students who submit a video explaining the importance of financial empowerment in their life and career.
Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (The Australian National University)
The Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (The Australian National University) scholar will undertake collaborative research with faculty in the arts, humanities, and social sciences at The…
Show MoreFulbright Postdoctoral Scholarship in Multiple Disciplines (The University of Newcastle)
The Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholarship in Multiple Disciplines (The University of Newcastle) allows postdoctoral candidates to undertake research of importance to the University of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia. The…
Show MoreFulbright-Scotland Distinguished Scholar at the Glasgow School of Art
The Fulbright Scotland Visiting Professorship at the Glasgow School of Art contributes to the intellectual life of the university through seminars, public lectures, and curriculum development in any discipline within…
Show MoreFulbright-Uppsala University Distinguished Scholar Award in American Studies
The "Fulbright-Uppsala University Distinguished Scholar Award in American Studies" recipient will teach one introductory course for undergraduates, as well as a more specialized course for senior or graduate students (or…
Show MoreDistinguished Scholar in Humanities and Social Sciences at the American Studies Center, University of Warsaw
At the American Studies Center at the University of Warsaw, the award holder will teach one graduate course per semester on a topic of their choosing. The Distinguished Scholar will…
Show MoreDistinguished Scholar in Humanities at Maria Curie-Sklodowska University
Award holders will be expected to teach one regular course for undergraduate/graduate students in the Chair of British and American Studies or another academic unit at the Department of Modern…
Show MoreFulbright Canada Distinguished Research Chairs at Carleton University
Fulbright Canada and Carleton University have established dedicated research chairs in support of educational programming and research. This opportunity will allow extraordinary American scholars and top-tier applied researchers to spend…
Show MoreIslamic Scholarship Fund Film Grant
Are you a Muslim student interested in filmmaking? If so, consider applying for the Islamic Scholarship Fund Film Grant! The grant is open to Muslim students wanting to make a…
Show MoreProject Yellow Light/Hunter Garner Scholarship
Do you believe in the importance of safe driving? If so, consider applying for the Project Yellow Light/Hunter Garner Scholarship! The scholarship competition asks students to submit an advertisement in…
Show MoreSOULE Scholarship
Are you an LGBTQ+ or minority high school graduate who is now enrolled in a U.S. post-secondary institution? If so, consider applying for the SOULE Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship…
Show MoreCJ Pony Parts Scholarship Video Contest
Do you have a need for speed (and a love for Mustangs)? Well, then don’t let hefty college costs hold you back from pursuing your dreams! Consider applying to the…
Show MoreSamuel Robinson Award
Are you a college junior or senior attending a Presbyterian college or university? If that sounds like you, we encourage you to check out the $2,000 Samuel Robinson Award! To…
Show More- 1
- 2
- 3
-
Next
How to win film scholarships
Since you have a new list of film scholarships to apply for, it’s important to make sure you’re up to the task! Some of your applications might require you to submit a piece of your work or write an essay. Either way, making your submissions stand out is the key to winning scholarships like these. Be sure to showcase what film means to you, and how the scholarships could impact your quality of education or future success in your career.
Check out some of these resources to help you make your application stand out:
- Write a winning scholarship essay
- Learn about common scholarship prompts
- End your essay with a splash
Resources for film students
American Society of Cinematographers
The American Society of Cinematographers is a great way to network and get access to mentors in your field. This organization also offers scholarships, master classes, and events for students to get involved in. These opportunities are free and can be utilized to expand your knowledge of cinematography.
Film festivals
One of the best ways to get eyes on your films is to submit them to a film festival. There are a variety of festivals depending on your state, genre of film, and much more. You can even participate in festivals as a high school student, such as the All American High School Film Festival or the National Film Festival for Talented Youth! Some of the awards can range from prize money to spotlight on your film project.
Film organizations at your school
You should be on the lookout for student organizations on your campus. Clubs and organizations can be a big help to getting to know peers in the industry and connect with mentors and faculty. You’ll also be able to get feedback on your work, and gain further appreciation for film.
Related: Film major overview
Frequently asked questions about film scholarships
Can you get scholarships for being a YouTuber?
There are scholarships out there for YouTubers, but this is a field ridden with scam scholarships. When applying for scholarships based on your YouTube account or videos, be careful when giving out personal information. You should never give out your password or private information.
If you are a YouTuber, you are probably talented at making videos at home, and maybe even vlogging. This would set you up well to earn video scholarships. These scholarships have video components to their application. You’ll be able to showcase your ability for telling a compelling story via video.
Can you use film scholarships for acting?
Many film scholarships can also be applied to acting! For example, the Ocean Awareness Contest is a very open-ended scholarship for artistically-minded students. You can apply for it through acting, visual art, film music, or a host of other skills.
But be aware that not every film scholarship can be used for acting. Always make sure to go over the terms and conditions carefully before applying. If you have any doubts at all about your eligibility, reach out to the organization to clarify. This gives you the benefit of being sure that you’re eligible, as well as making contact with someone at the organization. This could encourage them to pay special attention to your application.
Do you have to study film to get a film scholarship?
Not necessarily! Some film scholarships do not require that you major in film. So, hobbyist filmmakers might be able to partially fund their college education with film scholarships, even if they never take a film class in school.
However, you should note that if you are already in college, many film scholarships will require that you major in the field. For the most part, the scholarships with the least strict requirements will be ones that you can apply to in high school.
What are the most prestigious film schools?
It’s hard to answer this question definitively, as prestige is subjective to many different factors. However, some of the film schools often mentioned as the most prestigious are:
- University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts
- New York University Kanbar Institute of Film & Television
- Beijing Film Academy
- American Film Institute Conservatory
- London Film School
