The Confluence Fellowship is a biannual artist support program organized by True/False Film Fest for Midwest based nonfiction filmmakers. 

The program is a project-based fellowship for directors based in the Midwest who are in development on their first feature-length nonfiction film. The Confluence Fellowship aims to support emerging voices in nonfiction filmmaking in the Midwest by creating a nurturing space for projects to connect with the wider film community. 

The next edition of the fellowship will take place at the 2025 festival. Applications closed on Thursday, December 5. Applicants will be notified by mid-January if selected. 

The Confluence Fellowship selects four directors who are invited to attend the 2025 True/False Film Fest, where they will take part in talks, workshops, and screenings with industry experts and international filmmakers. Participants also receive support throughout the year following the festival including online check-ins with the cohort and connections with other industry professionals. The program is aimed at supporting filmmakers with both creative development and industry knowledge. 

WHO IS IT FOR?

• Directors based in the Midwest with a feature-length nonfiction project currently in development. Projects will be considered in any stage of development, but we encourage applicants to ensure their projects are well-researched and ideally come with a teaser or raw material. Applicants should not be completed with production. 
• We are defining the Midwest as the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
• The program is aimed at emerging directors, so there is no requirement for previous experience in documentary filmmaking. Applicants will need to demonstrate their artistic vision for the project, but may come from a non-film background.
• It is mandatory for the selected directors to attend True/False so selected directors must be available to travel to Columbia, Missouri during the festival.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

• Feature-length nonfiction film projects in development. In keeping with True/False’s programming ethos, we are open-minded about what falls under the umbrella term of nonfiction and actively seek out work that engages with reality in expansive ways. We value authored work, clear filmmaking vision, and work that approaches nonfiction as an artform. 
• All “genres”, approaches, and stories are welcome, and filmmakers with formally challenging work are encouraged to apply.

CRITERIA

• Applicants should supply a treatment (up to two pages) and a top sheet budget with their completed application. The top sheet budget should include top line budget numbers as currently projected for the full project.
• Please include visual materials to support your application and help us understand your vision. This can either be a teaser (up to 3 minutes) or other visual references, if you have not yet shot material. 
• Applicants must hold the intellectual property rights to the project and should also be able to demonstrate access to key characters or institutions.
• The program is aimed at directors, and we will consider projects without a producer currently attached.
• It is mandatory for the selected directors to attend True/False, so you must be available to travel to Columbia, MO during the festival dates.
• True/False will cover the cost of the director’s roundtrip travel, five nights of accommodation, and a pass to the fest.