New Global Health Film Grant Launches for 2025
Following the success of last year’s Climate and Labour Film Grant, the Pulitzer Center, Financial Times and One World Media are proud to continue their partnership in 2025 – this time focusing on global health. Together, they will support an experienced filmmaker to tell an underreported story through a short documentary, amplifying new perspectives, stories and voices.
“The Pulitzer Center is thrilled to continue its partnership with One World Media and the Financial Times in 2025 to explore global health inequities through storytelling,” said the Pulitzer Center Executive Editor, Marina Walker Guevara. “We look forward to partnering with a filmmaker in the global south to explain how health systems function—and fail—in ways that shape everyday lives, and to explore some of the emerging solutions.”
“We are excited to shift the spotlight to global health this year. It’s a timely focus, given the seismic impact that international funding cuts have had on a global health system already riddled with systemic inequities and barriers to care and treatment,” said Vivienne Francis, Director of One World Media. “This partnership continues our shared commitment to support journalism and filmmaking that brings vital issues to light and captures their human impact.”
Through Pulitzer’s Global Health initiative, journalists have reported on many of the systemic, interconnected health inequities around the world — such as pandemic preparedness, vaccine access and trust, and rising maternal mortality. The initiative supports accountability reporting that deepens understanding and informs public debate.
We’re especially keen to receive creative, newsworthy proposals that spotlight underreported global health stories across a range of topics — from health inequalities and barriers to basic healthcare, to food insecurity and its far-reaching consequences. We welcome stories that examine systemic failures in mental health treatment, explore scientific advances with the potential to prevent disease, reduce maternal mortality, or prepare for future outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics — particularly in overlooked or underrepresented contexts.
To apply, you’ll need to be from the global south and working in the global south. We are especially interested in hearing from populations that are seldom covered.
Your film will need to be 25 minutes or less and be completed by June 2026.
The successful filmmaker will receive the following –
Up to £20k funding ($25,000 USD) for their film
A named executive for their documentary and production support
A commission from the Financial Times with their final film made freely available on the FT’s platform.
Global promotion of their film from all three partners and associated screenings
Membership of the OWM global alumni network
And an industry mentor
To apply you’ll need to show –
- 5+ years of evidenced experience as a documentary-maker. We want to see links to recent work, broadcast credits or festival screenings.
- References from a previous commissioner/executive
- A recorded pitch (3 minutes or under) – this can be filmed on your phone or an audio recording – about your idea
- An application form including written synopsis of your idea with a detailed budget.
- If your film is reliant on negotiating particular access or following a particular person/subject we want you to show how far along you are with these discussions.
The deadline for applications is August 20, 2025.
We particularly encourage submissions from underrepresented groups (people of color, ethnic groups, women, LGBTQ+, or people with disabilities)