The goal of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Film program is to influence the next generation of filmmakers to create more realistic and dramatic stories about science and technology and to challenge existing stereotypes about scientists and engineers through the visual media.

The program aims to help aspiring and professional screenwriters and filmmakers integrate science and technology themes and characters into their work. This innovative program awards prizes at six leading film schools: the American Film Institute; UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television; Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama; Columbia University Film Department; NYU Tisch School of the Arts; and USC School of Cinematic Arts.

ALFRED P. SLOAN FOUNDATION GRANTS OFFERED AT THE AFI CONSERVATORY

Sloan Tuition Scholarship Award – One $50,000 grant applied towards tuition split between two years for an incoming first year Directing or Screenwriting Fellow. Accepted incoming Fellows complete an application, including resume and cover letter, describing their science background and passion for making science-related films in their career. Candidates interested in the Sloan Tuition Award must also share their science background and a treatment for a science-focused film they wish to complete while enrolled at AFI. Applicants are required to write a short or feature film with science during their time at AFI. Applications are reviewed by a science advisor and the AFI administration. Finalist applications are then submitted to the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation who will then determine the recipient.

Eligible Disciplines: Directing, Screenwriting

Application Timeline

• December: AFI Conservatory applications due
• March: AFI Scholarship Selection Committee reviews applications for Sloan Tuition Award
• April: Candidates reviewed and scored by Sloan Scholar
• May: Finalists sent to the Foundation for review
• October: First draft of script due during Fellow’s Second Year fall term

Sloan Screenwriting Award – One $12,500 award for one (1) feature-length script and one (1) episodic script that portrays powerful scientific stories and themes. All AFI Screenwriting Fellows are eligible for these awards. Two (2) professional outside script readers review and score all submissions, which are then forwarded to a committee that includes AFI Faculty and Staff, as well as external scientists. Finalists are chosen and sent to the Sloan Foundation for review.

Eligible Disciplines: Screenwriting
Selection Timeline

• March: One-paragraph synopses and requests for science advisors due
• May: Completed scripts and science advisors’ written statements due
• May-June: Script readers and committee review script submissions
• June: Award finalists submitted to the Foundation for recommendation

Sloan Production Award – One $30,500 grant for a second-year AFI thesis film. Funds are allocated to project costs and are not intended for individual tuition relief. All First Year Fellows are eligible to submit an idea for their thesis film. To qualify, films must have a clear scientific foundation and provide a sound portrayal of science and scientists. Fellows seeking Sloan funding must submit a synopsis and are subsequently paired with an advisor working in the field of science featured in their story. All Fellows must submit a finished script along with a written report from their science advisor, confirming the accuracy of the science and/or technology depicted in the script. A committee comprising AFI Faculty and Staff, film community professionals, and scientists reviews all eligible scripts. The final projects are then recommended for review by the Sloan Foundation.

Eligible Disciplines: All enrolled AFI Conservatory Fellows in any discipline
Selection Timeline

• March: One-paragraph synopses due; pairing with science advisors
• May: Completed scripts and science advisors’ written statements due
• June: AFI selection committee selects finalists for the Foundation’s review

To view past Sloan-winning films:
Please visit the Museum of the Moving Image’s Science and Film website.

For more information contact:
Moran Cerf
Sloan Scholar and Senior Lecturer, AFI Conservatory

Susan Ruskin
Dean, AFI Conservatory
Executive Vice President, American Film Institute