fiscal sponsorship

Photo by Fabian Blank on Unsplash‍

Support Cinema That Matters

Not every film belongs in the marketplace.

Some films exist to reveal something true about what it means to be human. They take artistic risks. They resist easy answers. They ask audiences to slow down, pay attention, and see the world differently.

These are the films I AM CINEMA exists to support.

Our Fiscal Sponsorship Program provides filmmakers with the nonprofit infrastructure needed to seek tax-deductible donations while joining a community committed to preserving cinema as a vital art form.

Our Philosophy

I AM CINEMA supports projects that embody our mission:

  • Personal artistic vision over formula

  • Human stories over spectacle

  • Curiosity over certainty

  • Emotional honesty over manipulation

  • Artistic courage over commercial safety

  • Cinema that challenges, questions, and reveals

We're less interested in genre than intention.

A documentary, horror film, comedy, animation, experimental work, or narrative feature can all belong here if they emerge from a genuine artistic voice and strive to deepen our understanding of ourselves and one another.

Fiscal Sponsorship is one simple way that I Am Cinema (IAC) can help you raise money for your next film or project.  Fiscal sponsorship allows you to use iac’s 501 (c) 3 status as an umbrella for you to receive charitable deductible contributions from individuals, foundations, corporations or government sources that will only give to companies with IRS tax exempt status.

To be considered exempt, an organization must hold a current 501(c)(3) certificate from the IRS.  Thanks to IAC, you don’t have to go out and spend the time and energy trying to become tax exempt yourself, you can contract with us and our exempt status extends to you.

how it works:

You must submit an application and supporting materials outlined below.  If your project meets all the requirements below and is approved then IAC becomes the non-profit tax-exempt umbrella organization that accepts and administers all contributions made to your project. 

Since, IAC is legally responsible for the funds received on behalf of fiscally sponsored projects, we must ensure that the funds are being used appropriately and as agreed upon between the donor and recipient, and in the described project proposal.

Fiscal Sponsorship does not mean that we are your producers.  IAC does not own any part of your project, all artistic and proprietary rights to the completed project belong to the projects owner.    We also are not your fundraisers, we do not provide grants, or do any research for funding for you.  You are also responsible for managing your own tax reporting and liability issues.   

IAC charges an administrative fee of 5% of all funds granted through our Fiscal Sponsorship, in order to cover the cost of running and managing the program.

APPLICATION MATERIALS:

  • Application

  • Copy of the script and/or treatment

  • Budget

  • Lookbook, Deck, or Any Other Visual Support Materials

  • A one-time Fiscal Sponsorship Application Fee of $25

What Types of Projects Are Eligible?

We welcome applications from filmmakers creating: Narrative features, Documentary features, Short films, Animated films, Experimental cinema, Hybrid documentary/narrative work, Essay films, Limited series with clear artistic purpose, Educational cinematic projects, Community-centered film initiatives

Applicants may be writers, directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, production designers, sound designers, composers, or multidisciplinary artists leading an eligible project

THE PROCESS

  1. Submit an online application.

  2. Share your project materials.

  3. Artistic review by I AM CINEMA.

  4. Notification.

  5. Sponsorship agreement.

  6. Begin fundraising.

We May Be a Good Fit If...

You believe...

  • cinema is an art form before it is content.

  • artistic voice matters.

  • films can cultivate empathy.

  • audiences are capable of complexity.

  • personal vision deserves protection.

  • meaningful cinema still has an essential place in culture.

We May Not Be the Right Fit If...

I AM CINEMA is probably not the right fiscal sponsor if your primary goal is:

  • maximizing commercial appeal above artistic vision

  • creating formula-driven content designed primarily around market trends

  • developing projects with no identifiable creative authorship

  • seeking only a fiscal conduit without interest in our artistic mission

There are many excellent fiscal sponsors for every type of project. Our role is intentionally focused on supporting cinema rooted in personal vision, artistic integrity, and cultural significance.

Fiscal sponsorship should be more than paperwork.

As part of the I AM CINEMA community, sponsored artists become part of a larger movement dedicated to restoring cinema as an art form. Depending on our capacity, sponsored projects may also receive opportunities such as:

  • Community spotlights

  • Educational programming

  • Networking opportunities

  • Artist discussions

  • Festival and grant resources

  • Inclusion in future I AM CINEMA initiatives

  • Connections with like-minded filmmakers

Our goal is not simply to help films get funded. Our goal is to help meaningful films get made

Your Questions, Answered

  • Fiscal Sponsorship does not mean that we are your producers.  IAC does not own any part of your project, all artistic and proprietary rights to the completed project belong to the projects owner.    

  • We welcome applications from filmmakers creating:

    • Narrative features

    • Documentary features

    • Short films

    • Animated films

    • Experimental cinema

    • Hybrid documentary/narrative work

    • Essay films

    • Limited series with clear artistic purpose

    • Educational cinematic projects

    • Community-centered film initiatives

    Applicants may be writers, directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, production designers, sound designers, composers, or multidisciplinary artists leading an eligible project.

  • ELIGIBILITY 

    • The applicant must own the copyright and have creative and budgetary control of the proposed project.

    • The proposed project must have creative, compelling, meaningful, or artistic merit that contributes to the medium it is in.

    • The project can be in any stage of development, production, post-production, or distribution

    • The proposed team should be capable of completing the project

    • Application materials must be presented in a professional way and in professional formats, budgets should be realistic and attainable

    • Fiscal Sponsorship can be used in connection with a crowdfunding campaign

  • There is an application fee of $25.

    If your project is selected, IAC charges an administrative fee of 5% of all funds granted through our Fiscal Sponsorship, in order to cover the cost of running and managing the program.

  • Unfortunately, as of right now the I Am Cinema Fiscal Sponsorship is only open to U.S. residents.

  • You must submit an application, application fee, and supporting materials outlined below.  If your project meets all the requirements below and is approved then IAC becomes the non-profit tax-exempt umbrella organization that accepts and administers all contributions made to your project. 

    APPLICATION MATERIALS:

    • Application

    • Copy of the script and/or treatment

    • Budget

    • Lookbook, Deck, or Any Other Visual Support Materials

    • A one-time Fiscal Sponsorship Application Fee of $25

  • We provide:

    • 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsorship

    • Tax-deductible donations

    • Online donation page

    • Donation acknowledgment letters

    • Grant eligibility

    • Financial oversight

  • Project Approval

    Upon approval of your project the following will be requested. Further information and instructions will be included in follow-up correspondence tailored to your project’s unique needs.

    • Sign Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement stating that you will:

      • Keep track of all expenses connected with the project

      • Spend donated funds on project expenses included in the budget approved by I Am Cinema

      • Complete and return annual Project Status Report

      • Comply with all funder reporting requirements, on time, as per the funder’s schedule

    • Provide a signed W9 form for U.S. filmmakers.

    • Verify the names of the primary and secondary contacts for the project

    • Provide content for your webpage.

    • Provide bank account info to receive funds

    • Provide social media links (if applicable)

    • Verify budget amounts

  • As part of the I AM CINEMA community, sponsored artists become part of a larger movement dedicated to restoring cinema as an art form.

    Depending on our capacity, sponsored projects may also receive opportunities such as:

    • Community spotlights

    • Educational programming

    • Networking opportunities

    • Artist discussions

    • Festival and grant resources

    • Inclusion in future I AM CINEMA initiatives

    • Connections with like-minded filmmakers

    Our goal is not simply to help films get funded.

    Our goal is to help meaningful films get made.

  • You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email, iamcinemaorg@gmail.com.

    We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.