Premium video-sharing platform Vimeo has partnered with camera manufacturers Nikon and Red to launch its first short film grant, with submissions opening early next week.
Philip Moyer
Vimeo may lag behind Google-owned behemoth YouTube in terms of reach, but there’s arguably no better place for a high-quality short film to gain exposure, particularly if it becomes one of the platform’s hallowed Staff Picks.
A global symbol of excellence, being a Staff Pick on Vimeo has helped launch the careers of celebrated directors, including notable examples like the directing duo The Daniels (Everything Everywhere All At Once); Ben Proudfoot, whose short documentary The Queen of Basketball won an Academy Award; and creators behind series like High Maintenance, who initially gained exposure through their Staff Picked short films on Vimeo.
By pairing emerging talent with industry visionaries, world class equipment and thousands of dollars in funding, Vimeo is now seeking to launch a new generation of North American filmmakers with its inaugural Short Film Grant.
The US$150,000 grant will award five filmmakers from the US and Canada with US$30,000 each in funding to produce a short film with a maximum duration of 12-minutes, along with one-on-one virtual mentorship sessions with the selection jury and the Vimeo Curation Team.
Presented in partnership with Japanese optics and photographic equipment manufacturer Nikon and US camera manufacturer Red, it is open to residents of the US and Canada only and applicants must be 18 years or older at the time of entry.
The grant is aimed at emerging filmmakers who have completed at least two short films, but are yet to complete a feature film. Projects that are currently in production or post-production will not be considered and each applicant is permitted to submit only one project for consideration per grant year.
Charlotte Wells’ Laps was a Vimeo Staff Pick Premiere
As well as the US$30,000 grant, the recipients will be given a Vimeo Standard subscription, and distribution support on Vimeo.com, including dedicated promotion of their work at in-person screenings in New York City and LA, hosted by Vimeo.
Additionally, they will gain access to the latest Z Cinema line of professional video equipment, including the V-Raptor [X] and Komodo-X cinema cameras, to ensure films are produced to the highest technical standards.
With submissions opening from March 10 at 10.00 (ET) and closing at 23.59 (ET) on April 18, 2025, the winners will be announced on July 7, 2025. Winning projects will be selected by a prestigious jury of filmmakers, industry professionals, and Vimeo executives based on originality, artistic merit, and feasibility of project execution.
All applications and scripts will be reviewed equally across four categories:
Originality and uniqueness of the project
Whether it’s an artful personal project, a risk-taking narrative, or a socially relevant exploration, originality is key.
Potential impact and resonance with the intended audience
No matter the genre, the jury is seeking artistically, socially, and culturally resonant stories that demonstrate a potential to connect with the greater community.
Feasibility of completing the project within the proposed budget and timeline
While the jury loves a good big-budget piece, it is looking for projects that can be realistically completed within the given budget and timeline constraints.
Overall artistic merit and quality of storytelling
The jury is looking for narrative and documentary short film projects with clear and compelling artistic visions.
Applications will require a project title, logline, synopsis (250 words) and current status, as well as an artistic proposal for the project (500 words) and contact information for the creative, including Vimeo links to two directorial work samples.
Treatments are required for documentary projects and screenplays are required for narrative projects, while pitch decks are optional. Submissions also require a line-item budget proposal detailing the intended use of the awarded funds, plus a proposed timeline for a six-month production schedule.
Charlotte Wells
The jury will be composed of celebrated Vimeo Staff Picks alumni, including filmmakers David Lowery, Charlotte Wells, Sean Wang, Savanah Leaf and cinematographer Adam Bricker, ASC.
“For two decades, Vimeo has served and inspired millions of filmmakers and film enthusiasts around the world,” says Philip Moyer, CEO of Vimeo.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with industry leaders, Nikon and Red, on this new grant program to accelerate the future of storytelling and launch a new generation of filmmakers. Together we will provide filmmakers with resources, mentorship, and a trusted platform to create exceptional short films and connect with a global audience.”
Writer and director Wells, one of the filmmakers on the jury whose short film Laps was a Vimeo Staff Pick Premiere, believes short films are not just an important artistic format of their own but an “essential entryway” into the notoriously competitive feature film industry.
They are “a way many filmmakers begin to figure out what they’re doing and who they’re doing it with,” says Wells, whose debut feature, Aftersun, starred Paul Mescal and premiered in Semaine de la Critique at Cannes in 2022 having been developed at the 2020 Sundance Labs.
“For years, Vimeo has given an impressive platform to short form work, supporting emerging filmmakers – including me – and in turn, I’m grateful to be able to support their inaugural short film grant — broadening access to this undeniably expensive art form,” says Wells.
Filmmaker and grant programme mentor Leaf adds: “As a writer and director, the journey can often feel lonely and nerve-wracking. Mentorship is a powerful way to navigate those challenges, offering the support and confidence to create. From the start of my career, Vimeo has helped me build a community of peers and mentors. I’m excited to collaborate with Vimeo and emerging filmmakers to continue fostering the community that first gave me the courage to direct.”
Naoki Onozato
Naoki Onozato, president and CEO of Nikon, can’t wait to see the films that will be created through the grant using his company’s tech.
“Nikon and Red are thrilled to partner with Vimeo on this important initiative, which recognises the visions and talent of emerging filmmakers, while enabling them to create with the best tools available and expand to a broader audience than ever before,” he says.
Today, Red cameras are being used on some of the most lauded movies and series, including Squid Game and Hacks and the documentaries Navalny and The Deepest Breath.
Keiji Oishi, CEO of Red Digital Cinema, adds: “Independent filmmaking is a vibrant community that amplifies fresh voices and unique stories, igniting creativity and innovation from emerging filmmakers. Red is excited to partner with Vimeo and Nikon in supporting these promising artists at the beginning of their cinematic journey, and we can’t wait to see what they create.”
Filmmakers are encouraged to visit vimeo.com/shortfilmgrant for official rules, including eligibility, conditions, prize descriptions and complete details.
