FAQs
What types of films are eligible for funding?
Only feature-length narrative and documentary films are eligible for funding.
Who can apply?
Directors or producers from the eligible countries (Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE and Yemen) may apply.
The director or producer must be a national of one of the eligible countries. Projects applying for funding must have a producer and a director already attached.
Can I apply with more than one project?
Yes, you may apply with multiple projects.
Can I reapply with a project that was not selected for funding in a previous round?
Applicants may only submit their project more than once when specifically informed to do so. Without the notification to re-submit during another session, projects will not be considered a second time.
In order to be eligible, what anticipated length should my film be?
Only feature-length narrative and documentary projects are eligible. The minimum running times of projects are 61 minutes for narratives and 52 minutes for documentaries.
Are films in early production eligible?
No, SANAD only accepts applications for projects needing support for Development or Post-Production.
Are student films eligible?
No, student films are not eligible for the Fund.
Are animated films eligible?
Yes, feature-length animated films that meet the other requirements are eligible.
If I am a first time filmmaker am I eligible to apply?
Yes, first time filmmakers with projects that meet the other requirements are encouraged to apply.
Are international productions eligible?
International productions are eligible if the director or producer is a national of one of the eligible countries. The eligible countries are Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE and Yemen.
In which languages can I apply?
Applications should be made in English.
How do I apply?
The SANAD application is now electronic and to be submitted online.
For information regarding the application process and requested materials, please read SANAD’s Rules & Regulations.
Please complete the online SANAD application form and upload the required project documents as part of your official electronic submission. You need to print and mail all of the other required materials to:
Abu Dhabi Film Festival - SANAD Fund
c/o ADACH
P.O. Box 2380
Al Raha Theater, Al Raha Beach Service Road on Abu Dhabi - Dubai Highway
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
I have both a trailer and a rough cut ready. Which one should I submit as a sample?
Applicants for Post-Production must submit a rough cut (minimum running time of 30 minutes) of their project. You can submit a trailer but it will be considered as additional visual material.
Can I provide a previously completed work instead of a sample from the submitted project?
No, you must provide a sample from the submitted project.
How will I know that my application has been received?
You will receive an email confirming the receipt of your online application.
Will my application materials be returned?
No, applications and required materials will not be returned.
How are projects selected?
Projects will be selected from applications received during SANAD’s semi-annual open call for applications. Projects will be chosen by a Selection Committee that includes the Abu Dhabi Film
Festival programmers and highly qualified film industry professionals.
What are the criteria for selection?
While the Selection Committee’s principal criteria for choosing projects are content and artistic vision, the financial plan and overall feasibility of each project are also taken into consideration.
Where can I find additional answers to questions?
For all questions regarding SANAD, please send an email to sanad@adff.ae, or call +971 2 556 4000.
What are the Fund’s Rules and Regulations?
You can read the Fund’s Rules and Regulations here.
What are the Abu Dhabi Film Festival’s general Rules and Regulations?
You can read the Festival’s general Rules and Regulations here.
What are the requested materials?
Development applications must provide the following:
- A completed online application form and a cover letter with brief details about your project mailed along with all other materials.
- Bios of director(s), producer(s) and key crew members.
- Contact information for each key crew member
- First draft of the script in original language
- English of French translation of the script
- Treatment (7 and 12 pages) in original language
- English or French translation of the treatment
- Synopsis
- Director’s statement
- Two (2) DVD copies of all previous work
- Filmographies of the director(s) and producer(s)
- Development budget for script and project development
- Financial plan with confirmed financing, if available (including copies of the agreements whenever possible)
- Pre-production schedule
Post-production applications must include the following:
- A completed online application form and a cover letter with brief details about your project mailed along with all other materials.
- Bios of director(s), producer(s) and key crew members
- Contact information for each key crew member
- Synopsis
- Director’s statement
- Two (2) DVD copies of all previous work
- Filmographies of the director(s) and producer(s)
- Financial plan with confirmed financing, and a budget for the requested funds
- Copies of all confirmed financing agreements
- Post-production estimated schedule
- Three (3) DVD copies of a scene assemblage or a rough cut (not less than 30 minutes) of the project. The DVDs must be labeled with project title, running time, applicant’s name and contact information. If the film is not subtitled in English or French, the English dialogue list must be enclosed.
- Detailed post-production budget and corresponding financial plan (in addition to the budget and financing plan of the whole production), with detailed information regarding the cost of the work not yet financed, along with an explanation of the budget deficit items and copies of documents regarding confirmed or requested funds.
All application forms should be in English. Scripts and treatments should be submitted in their original language and be accompanied by an English or French translation.
How should a financial plan look like?
Your financial plan must include funds that are already secured as well as funds that are still pending. You can mention all kinds of financiers, including producers, funds, or awards.
What sort of previous work should I include?
You can send shorts, documentaries and/or narrative feature films. Please only send full-length films rather than show reels. Two copies of each example of your previous work must be submitted on multi-zone or region-free DVD with English subtitles.
What’s the annual budget of the Fund?
The Abu Dhabi Film Festival Fund has 500,000 USD at its disposal annually and makes grants in the following categories:
- Development funds: Up to 20,000 USD per project
- Post-production funds: Up to 60,000 USD per project
SANAD reserves the right to determine the amount of the grant awarded to each recipient.
Is it necessary to have other financiers/partners in place?
Applicants for the Post-production category should have other financiers in place for the production of the project and a plan manifesting a strong possibility that the rest of the finance can be secured. Applicants for the Development category do not need to have other financiers in place.
What does the Fund want in return?
In order to offer year-round support and to aid in promoting the projects that receive grants, SANAD retains non-exclusive non-commercial rights within the UAE to all films it supports. ADFF requires a master copy of the project on DigiBeta or HDCAM as well as on DVD. ADFF requires copies of marketing materials for the projects. Master copies and marketing materials shall be kept in the ADFFs archive.
Will selected projects be screened during the Abu Dhabi Film Festival?
Each October, the Abu Dhabi Film Festival is committed to showing a large number of the projects supported by SANAD. Supported films may be selected for the Festival’s Narrative, Documentary or Afaq Jadida Competitions or for other non-competitive sections.
