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The Sylvia and David Steiner Film Workshop/Film Experience Fund

The Sylvia and David Steiner Film Workshop/Film Experience Fund is an endowment to cultivate and foster creative screen-based projects involving those in the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) community. The grants may range in allotments of $250, $500, $1,000, or more if needed depending on the project and the resources requested. While the stewardship of the fund is managed via CMU’s Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy and the College of Fine Arts, any currently enrolled student of Carnegie Mellon may apply for funding. 

Please note these qualifications for receiving funds:

  • Student applicants must be currently enrolled in a degree-granting program at CMU and in good standing (not on probation, leave of absence, or suspension)
  • Undergraduate or graduate thesis projects are eligible, including but not limited to short films, documentaries, and full-length narratives
  • Screen-based art featured within a live performance of any kind are eligible

If you are interested in receiving support, please follow these steps:

  1. Make an appointment to discuss the project with Master of Entertainment Industry Management (MEIM) Program Director Dr. Dan Green at dtgreen@cmu.edu or MEIM Senior Academic Program Director Mary Ryan at maryryan@andrew.cmu.edu
  2. Complete the online form (student)
  3. Have your faculty or staff advisor complete the online form statement of recommendation form for the project.

Evaluation criteria for proposals:

  • Proposals will be evaluated based on the quality and vision of the project, as well as the demonstrated capabilities of the applicant(s) to complete the project as proposed. These demonstrated capabilities may include an outline or script, the completed or projected budget, past references to previously filmed projects, a projected schedule, or other supporting items.
  • A faculty or staff member advisor statement of support (required for all student proposals). The statement should address the following:
    • the scope of the project
    • whether the advisor believes that the student is capable of their proposed project
    • whether the advisor of the project endorses the proposed work
  • Quality of the information submitted in the online application

Funding Allocation:

The Steiner Film Funds will be distributed in one lump sum via direct deposit. We anticipate that your award will be deposited approximately one month after we have received all of the required forms for the payment. These funds are a Non-Qualified Scholarships (NQS) and are considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service.

  • The university does not have an IRS reporting (ex. Form 1099 or W-2) or tax withholding obligation on non-qualified scholarship payments for students that are considered a U.S citizen, U.S. taxing resident or Resident Alien. This income is self-reported and it is your responsibility to include the income on your personal income tax return, if applicable.
  • International Students: The university has an IRS reporting and tax withholding obligation on non-qualified scholarship payments for students that are considered non-resident aliens for tax purposes. 14% will be withheld from your payment and remitted to the IRS unless you qualify for tax treaty benefits. A Form 1042-S will be issued to you to assist you with your personal tax return.  

Requirements upon project completion:

  • Each completed project must include an acknowledgement that the project was completed with the assistance of The Sylvia and David Steiner Film Workshop/Film Experience Fund. A Steiner logo may also be included.
  • Upon completion of a funded project, the awardee must submit proof of completion (e.g. a link to view the funded project; photos or video recordings of a live performance featuring the funded project, etc.) and a 1-2 paragraph summary of the specific ways in which the awarded funds were used to support the project.
  • If at any point it becomes clear to the awardee that the project is not able to be completed as outlined in the original proposal, the awardee must immediately contact Master of Entertainment Industry Management (MEIM) Program Director Dr. Dan Green at dtgreen@cmu.edu or MEIM Senior Academic Program Director Mary Ryan at maryryan@andrew.cmu.edu to discuss option for reallocation or return of the awarded funds.