Save Our Seas Foundation — Ocean Storytelling Photography Grant

Expired private-foundation · Found: 2026-05-06 17:18

Grant from Save Our Seas Foundation for ocean storytelling and photography projects. Supports visual communication, documentary work, and photography that raises awareness of ocean conservation issues. Open to storytellers and photographers working on marine conservation themes.

Source: https://saveourseas.com/grants/funding-applications/ocean-storytelling-photography-grants/

Funding Details

Funder

Save Our Seas Foundation

Funding Goal

Support the production of a short film (up to 20 minutes) that tells cinematic conservation stories about the ocean. Stories can cover ocean animals, fisheries, or communities whose lives are intertwined with marine life. Aims to advance marine conservation communication by supporting early-career and emerging filmmakers and storytellers.

Funding Amount

USD 50,000 for one winning candidate for short film production (up to 50.000 €)

Deadline

2026-01-30 (Fixed)

How to Apply

Two-stage application via SOSF grant online portal at https://grants.saveourseas.com. Stage 1: short questions, 3-minute video or 1-pager about the applicant, sizzle reel (max 3 min) or supporting documents. Selected applicants invited to Stage 2: comprehensive project pitch. Registration required before submission.

Target Region

Global — no geographic restrictions stated

Contact

https://grants.saveourseas.com

Last Checked

2026-05-06 21:56

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be an individual filmmaker — NGOs, institutions, and companies cannot apply as primary applicants
• No more than five years of professional experience in any film-related discipline
• Applicants with a current SOSF grant are ineligible

Project Scope

• Film must be up to 20 minutes and tell a conservation story about the ocean

Required Documents

• Stage 1: 3-minute introductory video or 1-pager + sizzle reel (max 3 minutes) or supporting documents
• Stage 2 (invited only): comprehensive project pitch

Constraints

• Only one application per applicant; all applications must be in English
• Grant is for film production costs — prize of USD 50,000 to one winner

Summary

The Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) Ocean Storytelling Film Grant awards USD 50,000 to one winning filmmaker for the production of a short film of up to 20 minutes. The grant is designed to advance marine conservation communication through engaging cinematic storytelling, with a particular focus on supporting early-career and emerging voices in ocean conservation filmmaking. Thematic scope is broad within marine conservation: films can address ocean animals, fisheries, communities whose lives are intertwined with marine life, and related conservation challenges. The programme specifically seeks visually stunning, audience-engaging stories and is open to a variety of cinematic approaches and subjects. Eligible applicants are individual filmmakers who are committed to filmmaking but have no more than five years of professional experience in any film-related discipline. The grant explicitly encourages women and applicants from underrepresented communities to apply. Corporate entities, NGOs, and research organisations cannot apply as primary applicants — the grant is for individual filmmakers. Geographically, there are no stated restrictions; applications are accepted globally. The application process is two-stage, conducted through the SOSF online grant portal, requiring a short introductory video or 1-pager and a sizzle reel in Stage 1, with selected applicants invited to a full project pitch in Stage 2. The application window for the 2025 SOSF Ocean Storytelling Film Grant opened November 27, 2025 and closed January 30, 2026 at 18:00 CET. Save Our Seas Foundation is a Swiss-based private foundation that has funded over 300 marine conservation research, education, and conservation projects worldwide since 2003. It maintains dedicated shark research and education centres in South Africa, Seychelles, and Florida.

Historical Context

Save Our Seas Foundation has been funding marine conservation projects since 2003 with over 300 projects supported worldwide. The Ocean Storytelling Grant is part of a broader grants portfolio including Keystone Grants, Small Grants, and Conservation Fellowship.

Why it was added

discovered from funder #710: Save Our Seas Foundation – Storytelling Photography Grant

Sources

• https://saveourseas.com/grants/funding-applications/ocean-storytelling-photography-grants/

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