The Melissa Rucker Finishing Fund
The Chimaera Project, in partnership with Madison Wells Forward, 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, The Melissa Rucker Finishing Fund supports U.S.-based women and non-binary filmmakers (age 40+) completing narrative and documentary projects in both short and feature formats.
Built on a shared belief in the power of diverse storytelling, the fund brings together Madison Wells Forward, the philanthropic arm of Madison Wells, and The Chimaera Project to champion women and non-binary filmmakers and help bring bold new stories to audiences.
Designed for films in post-production, the fund supports bold, original projects while addressing the barriers that women and non-binary filmmakers often face throughout their careers—particularly those navigating the industry at mid-career and beyond. In addition to financial backing, the program provides mentorship and hands-on support throughout the entire process, from post-production through release. The goal is simple: to help filmmakers complete their work and get it out into the world.
Awards
- 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 years of age or older.
- 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 an 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.
