2026 SFA Film Residency

Program Overview

Are you right for the prototype? In 1995, Andre 3000 from the hip-hop group Outkast proclaimed,  “The South got something to say.” The SFA wants to hear what you have to say about the South and its foodways. As part of the Southern Foodways Alliance’s mission, we are inviting filmmakers to apply to be part of a small cohort for our 2026 Prototype Film Residency. By the end of the residency, each cohort member will have produced a high-quality film that is ready to share at film festivals.

We will be taking our program on the road this year, visiting vibrant southern cities during the residency. Participants will immerse themselves in filmmaking, delve into southern foodways, and engage in community learning through customized virtual cohort workshops spread over a 9-month period.

Submit your application by April 26, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CT via https://forms.gle/nGuEjHbYr7RCyDpW6
Members of the Prototype will receive the following:
  1. In-person workshop at the University of Mississippi in Oxford
  2. Attendance at SFA’s Symposium
  3. Film Festival in-person screening in Memphis, TN
  4. Virtual monthly film workshops and mentorship
  5. $5,500 filmmaking stipend

The Prototype is free for accepted applicants.

Application and Event Timeline

March 23, 2026Announce residency application
April 26, 2026Deadline for receiving applications
May 22, 2026Accepted filmmakers notified
July 2026In-person film workshop at the University of Mississippi in Oxford
August 2026—January 2026Monthly virtual workshops
October 2026SFA Symposium
February 2027Film Showcase

Application | Submission Materials

Please fully review the FAQs before applying for the residency.
Submit all application materials via https://forms.gle/nGuEjHbYr7RCyDpW6.
*UPDATE: Some applicants experience difficulty with the software used to accept materials. If you are unable to upload your application materials, please email them directly to zaire@southernfoodways.org with the subject:
2026 Film Residency Application | [First and Last Name].
  • Short Bio [who you are, your mission, and some things you’re proud of]
  • Headshot
  • Three Work Samples [one must be a film/video of any length or genre]
  • Film Pitch Deck | Please submit in .pdf format
Film Pitch Deck
  • Title of Film
  • Logline and Synopsis
  • Description of the style and approach of the film
  • Briefly describe how this film aligns with the mission of the Southern Foodways Alliance
  • Mood board | One page of visual references
  • Additional materials the filmmaker wants to include to convey the vision
Application Questions
Tell us why the film you want to make matters—to you, to the audience, to the larger filmmaking community. Why is it urgent? What do you want to learn from the residency? What skills will you gain or polish?