The Melissa Rucker Finishing Fund

SUBMISSIONS OPEN JULY 15, 2026 on FILMFREEWAY

FilmFreeway live link will be available on this page July 15th at 9am pst.

The Chimaera Project, in partnership with Madison Wells, is proud to present The Melissa Rucker Finishing Fund. Created in memory of Melissa Rucker, a former Madison Wells producer and executive known for championing new talent and underrepresented voices, this fund supports U.S. based women and non-binary filmmakers completing narrative and documentary projects in both short and feature formats. Filmmakers previously supported by The Chimaera Project have gone on to premiere at festivals, secure worldwide distribution, win major awards — and even earn an Emmy. Designed for films in post-production, the Melissa Rucker Finishing Fund helps bold, original projects cross the finish line and reach audiences. We welcome a wide range of genres and storytelling approaches, from intimate personal stories and social commentary to action, speculative, and science-fiction work. Our goal is simple: to help you complete your film and get it out into the world. Awards & Prizes

Up to $6,000 awarded to selected Feature-Length Narrative or Documentary films (over 40 minutes)
Up to $2,500 awarded to selected Short-Form Narrative or Documentary films (40 minutes or under)

In addition to financial support, selected films may receive promotion through The Chimaera Project, opportunities for screenings, and connections to industry resources. We invest in both the success of the film and the filmmaker. All awardees become members of The Chimaera Project Alumni Community, gaining access to ongoing resources, visibility, and peer support. Awards will be presented on or before November 2026. Eligibility Requirements To apply:

The director must identify as a woman or non-binary filmmaker
Ideal that the director is 40 years of age or older, or the majority of crew over 40
The project must be a narrative or documentary film, short or feature-length
At least 90% of principal photography must be completed
A rough cut must be available at the time of application
Applicants must provide a secure link to the rough cut
Applicants must provide an anticipated project completion date
All submissions must be made via FilmFreeway
A $25 submission fee is required at the time of application

Second-Round Materials (If Selected) Filmmakers advancing to the second round will be asked to provide:

The number of women and non-binary individuals in cast and crew
A project budget and a clear plan for how finishing funds will be used

Fee Waivers Alumni of The Chimaera Project programs — including TO.GET.HER, SUPPORT.HER, IN HER DIRECTION, and Fiscal Sponsor Partners — are eligible for a free entry waiver. To request a waiver code, email: tcpfilmsubmissions@gmail.com Additional Notes All submissions will be added to The Chimaera Project mailing list for future program announcements and events. About the Partnership The Melissa Rucker Big Picture Fellowship Finishing Fund is made possible through a partnership with Madison Wells Forward, the philanthropic division of Gigi Pritzker’s award-winning company Madison Wells, which is dedicated to empowering boundary pushing storytellers across film, television, and theater. Madison Wells Forward extends this mission by supporting local programs that transform communities through education, awareness, social action, and the uplift of women and other systematically excluded voices. About Melissa Rucker (In Memory) Melissa Rucker was a former producer and executive at Madison Wells who spent her career championing bold storytellers: especially creatives from underrepresented backgrounds and mentoring others with uncommon generosity. This finishing fund honors Melissa’s legacy by investing in filmmakers whose work expands what, and who, we see on screen, and by helping ensure their films reach audiences.

2025 FINALIST ANNOUNCEMENT

2022 FINALIST ANNOUNCEMENT

2022 SEMI-FINALIST ANNOUNCEMENT

2019 TO.GET.HER PROGRAM RECIPIENTS

2018 TO.GET.HER PROGRAM RECIPIENTS