California Documentary Project grants aim to resource compelling original documentary film, audio, and digital media projects that (1) help bring to light stories and perspectives previously overlooked, underrecognized, and left out of mainstream narratives; (2) help reveal the breadth and range of California’s cultures, knowledges, communities, and histories; (3) draw on public humanities methods and tools to provide context, depth, and nuance, and (4) reach both California and national audiences. 

Production Grants support projects that center the experiences, histories, and cultures of California’s peoples, and strengthen the connection between public humanities and documentary media productions. Eligible projects must be in production stage; have a work-in-progress sample to submit; and be ready to, or already actively involve at least one Humanities/Public Humanities Advisor to help frame and contextualize the story. Eligible forms of documentary storytelling include feature-length and short films, podcasts, web series, and interactive media.