Support for Emerging Moroccan Filmmakers | PAS MOROCCO FY23 03

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS MOROCCO FY23 03

The U.S. Mission to Morocco (Public Affairs Section) opened a FY2023 public diplomacy grant competition to fund one project that strengthens skills and professional capacity among emerging Moroccan filmmakers. Titled "Support for Emerging Moroccan Filmmakers" (Funding Opportunity Number PAS-MOROCCO-FY23-03; Assistance Listing 19.040), the opportunity provides a total of up to $30,000 to run a training-focused program that helps early-career Moroccan film professionals build practical competencies, confidence, and industry connections. The project is framed as part of the American Film Showcase (AFS), a collaboration between the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, with an added public diplomacy aim of strengthening Morocco-U.S. ties through cultural exchange and shared values.

At the center of the program is an intensive workshop model designed to develop entrepreneurial and production-related skills for Morocco's next generation of filmmakers. Proposals are expected to include strong hands-on training elements and prioritize in-person activities when feasible. The workshop should ideally bring one or two U.S.-based filmmaker(s), particularly screenwriter-producers, to Morocco to deliver tailored masterclasses and mentorship to participants. Beyond classroom-style instruction, the program is meant to create real networking pathways between senior and emerging professionals in Morocco and the United States, and may use virtual tools or social media platforms to extend reach, sustain engagement, or showcase outcomes. A major emphasis is placed on ensuring that the selected cohort reflects diverse perspectives and comes from varied geographic areas, including underserved regions and underrepresented groups.

The target audience is a cohort of up to sixteen emerging Moroccan film talents, generally current students or individuals who graduated within the last two years, ages 20 to 35. Participants must be proficient in written and spoken English, and may include aspiring filmmakers, producers, directors, or screenwriters. The implementing organization (the grantee) is expected to take the lead in determining recruitment focus areas (cities, regions, and populations), conducting outreach to film schools, universities, and cultural institutions, and proposing a participant list, while the U.S. Mission retains final approval of the selected participants. In practice, this means applicants should design a recruitment and selection process that is transparent, inclusive, and aligned with the program's diversity and geographic representation goals.

Because the award is structured as a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, the U.S. Mission will be substantially involved in planning and implementation. Mission staff will authorize when costs may be incurred after dates and program details are confirmed, approve the final workshop theme in consultation with the awardee, and coordinate selection of U.S. experts in collaboration with AFS. The awardee must show credible film-industry expertise, a solid track record (including prior grant implementation where relevant), and strong financial management capacity. Operationally, the awardee is responsible for core logistics such as securing an appropriate venue, arranging travel and local transportation, covering lodging and meals and incidental expenses for participants and facilitators as applicable, and handling printing and workshop materials. The awardee must also obtain any necessary film permits and authorizations from local authorities, particularly if participants will produce original content during the workshop.

The funding details are straightforward: one award is anticipated, ranging from $25,000 to $30,000, using FY23 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy funds. The performance period runs from approximately June 2023 through January 2024, with the expectation that proposed programs be completed by December 31, 2023, and an anticipated start in Fall 2023. The application deadline listed is May 30, 2023, and inquiries are directed to Rabatgrants@state.gov. While cost sharing is not required and is not scored during evaluation, applicants may propose in-cash or in-kind contributions if they choose, with the understanding that any cost share must be tracked throughout the grant lifecycle.

Eligibility is limited to Moroccan citizens and/or organizations, specifically registered public or private non-profit entities (including NGOs and civil society organizations), non-profit educational institutions, non-profit cultural institutions, and individuals. For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and maintain an active SAM.gov registration to be eligible for an award; individuals are not required to have a UEI or SAM registration. Only one proposal may be submitted per organization, and submitting multiple proposals makes all of that organization's submissions ineligible.

Application requirements emphasize compliance and completeness. Proposals must be written in English and submitted as a PDF with specific formatting (single-spaced, 12-point Calibri, 1-inch margins, 8.5 x 11 pages, numbered pages). The budget must be in USD with a narrative explanation for each line item, and the total request may not exceed $30,000. The project should not propose a start date before June 30, 2023. Required forms and attachments include the SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, a proposal narrative form, an applicant organization information form, a detailed budget proposal with narrative (noting the suggested exchange rate guidance of 1 USD to 10 MAD for budgeting), CVs for the director and key personnel, and the organization's final registration papers. Finally, applicants are expected to build in monitoring and evaluation from the start, developing an M and E plan with the U.S. Mission to measure the program's impact on participants and outcomes.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Morocco in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Support for Emerging Moroccan Filmmakers" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 24, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 30, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $30,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for PAS MOROCCO FY23 03

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