At Quiet Mile Pictures, we believe that every great film begins with a single, undeniable spark. Sometimes, all a filmmaker needs to turn that spark into a flame is a little bit of At Quiet Mile Pictures, we believe that every great film begins with a single, undeniable spark. Sometimes, all a filmmaker needs to turn that spark into a flame is a little bit of momentum. The Quiet Mile Fund is a quarterly initiative created to award $1,000 every season to one filmmaker who can master the art of the "hook" and demonstrate a clear, passionate vision for their short film.

We aren't looking for a finished script. We want your best logline and your most compelling reason why this film needs to be made now. Because we crown a winner every quarter, your next opportunity to fund your vision is never more than three months away.

What We Are Looking For
We are strictly focused on short film concepts (under 40 minutes). Each quarter, we look for the logline and fund Statement.

Quarterly Award Schedule

1st Cycle: Winner announced Sept 14th
2nd Cycle: Winner announced November 30th
3rd Cycle: Winner announced February 28th
4th Cycle: Winner announced May 31st

If your project is not selected in the current quarter, we encourage you to refine your pitch and resubmit for the following season.

Awards & Prizes

The Prize

$1,000 Cash Award: Paid directly to the winner to support their production.

Submission Requirements
No File Required: Since we judge based on your form answers, you do not need to upload a full script. You may upload a blank PDF or a Title Page as your 'Project File' to satisfy the FilmFreeway system requirement.

Project Title

The Logline: (35 Words Max). A concise, high-concept summary of your short film.

The Fund Statement: (35 Words Max). A direct explanation of how and why the $1,000 will be utilized to move your production forward.

Note: Submissions exceeding the word counts will be disqualified to ensure a fair and streamlined judging process.

Rules & Terms

1. Eligibility

The fund is open to filmmakers and production companies in US.

Participants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of entry.

2. Submission Guidelines

Submissions must be original, unpublished works.

All entries must be in English.

The Format: Submissions consist of one Project Title, one Logline (35 words max), and one Fund Statement (35 words max) submitted via the FilmFreeway form.

There is no limit on the number of submissions a single person or company may enter ($20 fee per entry applies).

Final deadline for submission is June 15th, 2026 at 11:59 MST.

3. Judging Criteria

Submissions will be judged based on creativity, originality, storytelling, and the practical feasibility of the production as described in the Fund Statement.

The jury is composed of the Quiet Miles Pictures production team.

The decision of the judging panel is final.

4. Intellectual Property

Participants confirm they are the sole author and copyright holder of the work.

The participant retains 100% of the intellectual property rights to their script and concept.

5. Stipulations

The $1,000 award must be utilized exclusively for the production of the submitted project.

The award is non-transferable and non-negotiable.

To help ensure the project's success, the winning entry must be in active development (pre-production, production, or post-production) within 12 months of notification.

6. Announcement of Winner

The winner will be notified via email by July 1st, 2026.

The winner's name, project title, and logline may be featured on Quiet Miles Pictures’ social media, and website.

7. Disqualification & Amendments

Quiet Mile Pictures reserves the right to disqualify any participant who violates these terms, including those exceeding word counts.

We reserve the right to amend these terms; any significant changes will be communicated to active participants.

8. Liability & Responsibility

Participants agree that Quiet Mile Pictures, LLC is not responsible for any legal claims, damages, or costs related to the creation or production of the submitted project. By entering, you confirm you own all rights to your work and take full responsibility for its production.

9. Extension of Deadlines:

Quiet Mile Fund reserves the right to extend the submission deadline for any quarterly cycle by up to 30 days to ensure a competitive pool of entries. If an extension occurs, the notification and award dates will be shifted accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Who decides the winner?
A: The Quiet Miles Pictures production team.

Q: Can I submit a documentary or animation?
A: Yes. We are open to any genre or format as long as it is a short film concept.

Q: Can I direct my own submission if I win?
A: Absolutely. We encourage directors and writer-directors to apply.

Q: What if my project is already in post-production?
A: You can still apply. The fund can be used for "finishing funds" (editing, color, sound) as long as you explain that in your Fund Statement.

Q: Do I need a full script ready?
A: While you don't submit the script now, you should have the story fully developed so that your logline and fund statement are as strong as possible.