SCAM-Multimedia Authors Guild (France) - "Brouillons d'un rêve" Grants- New Forms of Writing

What you get

You will receive a one-off grant of up to 6,000 EUR (gross) for the development of a digital art project in a documentary style with an experimental character. The amount will be paid in a single instalment, approximately four to five weeks after the agreement has been signed. You may combine this grant with any other professional funding you are already receiving. The funding comes from La Scam, the French collecting society for multimedia authors, which has been awarding these ‘Brouillon d’un rêve’ grants since 1992.

Who can apply

• Who you are: You are applying as an individual adult. Production companies, collectives and other organisations are not eligible to apply.
• Nationality and residence: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply, and place of residence is not a factor.
• Age and experience: There is no age restriction and no prior experience is required. Beginners and established authors compete on an equal footing, regardless of whether they are members of La Scam or not.
• Your project: A digital art project in the documentary genre, whether experimental, interactive or linear. This includes experimental films and videos, audio or video installations, apps, generative or networked works, web documentaries, documentary series, transmedia works, virtual or augmented reality, and documentary games.
• What is excluded: Fiction, theatrical installations, sound recordings, predominantly dramatic or musical forms, as well as works that are already complete or nearing completion.
• Timing rules: Only one project may be submitted per calendar year. A rejected project may be resubmitted once. If you have already received a grant, you must wait three years before you can apply again.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via the La Scam website between 10 and 15 September, before midnight on each date. All documents must be written in French. A panel of authors specialising in the same field will reach a decision within approximately five months. Only 150 projects will be accepted per round, and applications will close as soon as this limit is reached. It is therefore advisable to apply right at the start of the application period.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding scheme is strictly defined in terms of format. Your project must be an unfinished, experimental digital documentary work, which excludes most film and literary projects. The number of participants is limited to 150 entries per round, so the pool of applicants is small. A jury of fellow writers assesses the entries on the basis of originality and artistic merit rather than a checklist. If your project truly fits into this niche and you register as soon as the application period opens, your chances are good.