The Big Tell 2025 Application Promo

The Big Tell is a regional film-making program offering grants for the production of short documentaries that feature stories about the amazing people, places, and activities that make the Central Valley so remarkable. Applicants will submit their best idea about an undiscovered story from the six-county region: Merced, Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, Kings, and Tulare counties. A panel of judges will evaluate the film concepts based on criteria including film subject, diversity among filmmakers and the stories they tell, and how the film will contribute to the rich and compelling narrative of the Central Valley. Then CMAC will award 10 grants of $5,000 each for the creation of the short films. Winners will have three months to complete their film. In addition to the grant funds, they will receive a one-year CMAC membership, one-on-one mentorship from award-winning local filmmaker and previous TBT grantee Angelica Hernandez, and take part in a career development seminar with Emmy-nominated documentarian Sascha Brown Rice. Eligible applicants include professional, student, and amateur filmmakers who live in Merced, Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, Kings or Tulare counties. The deadline to apply is July 7, 2025.