NIAF Offers Film Scholarships with Producer DeLaurentiis
In collaboration with Italian producer Aurelio De Laurentiis, the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) offers production grant programs supporting aspiring filmmakers with stories to share about Italian and Italian American experiences. Not limited to film students only, the NIAF/De Laurentiis Film Prizes remain open to all seeking filmmakers regardless of age and nationality. Applicants for the program are eligible to apply through March 1st as acceptable submission formats include documentary, narrative, fiction, and non-fiction.
For its first iteration, the grant’s commission selects five filmmakers that receive $10,000 each to produce their submitted projects. Then, the five recipients have one year to complete their final features to present them at the NIAF’s 50th anniversary gala in Washington D.C. on October 2025. After being screened and judged, one of the films is selected and wins the final round by receiving $10,000 for promotion. Moreover, the winning filmmaker receives direct mentoring from De Laurentiis and his crew alongside.
“As a lifelong film producer, supporting the next generation of filmmakers is my passion. I look forward to seeing the fantastic submissions these prizes will uncover.” Said De Laurentiis.
Outside this program, De Laurentiis has been backing young filmmakers by funding the Venice’s Film Festival’s “Luigi De Laurentiis” award for best work, which grants $100,000 to the victor. In addition to owning Italian professional soccer club Napoli SSC, De Laurentiis follows an important cinematographic legacy as his uncle was none other than Dino De Laurentiis, a renowned Italian film producer.
In 1975 alongside his father Luigi, De Laurentiis founded one of the most important cinematographic societies in Italy known as Filmauro. Producing and distributing more than 400 movies, his company has circulated films by globally renowned filmmakers such as Woody Allen, Ridley Scott, David Lynch, Roman Polanski, and other important directors.
Sources: Aurelio De Laurentiis Launches Film Grants Program With NIAF (variety.com)
The NIAF/De Laurentiis Film Prizes – The National Italian American Foundation
-Diego Maldonado
