RVPF: FAQ

Who is eligible to apply for the 2019 Award?

  • Alumni of the Graduate & Undergraduate film programs who graduated between May 2014*-May 2019. If you graduated between January 2014 - May 2014, please email emma.aarnes@nyu.edu to determine your eligibility.
  • Current Graduate Thesis students. For the purposes of this award, we consider "Grad Thesis Students" to be anyone who has completed their first two years of course work by May 2019 with the university (matriculated). If you are currently on a leave of absence, you are not eligible.

Who should apply?

Eligible Alumni and Grad Thesis Students* who have not previously directed a feature length film, but who have a project that is close to production ready. The goal of the RVPF is to help first time directors complete their films within 24 months of receiving an award.

*For the purposes of this award, we consider "Grad Thesis Students" to be anyone who has completed their first two years of course work by May 2019 and is working on their Thesis film. You must be in good standing with the university (matriculated). If you are currently on a leave of absence, you are not eligible. 

Can I apply next year?

If you graduated between May 2014 and January 2015 this is your last year to apply. Thus, for the 2020 award, alumni who graduated between May 2015 and May 2020 will be eligible.

What does it mean to be a finalist?

You will be given the opportunity to pitch your film to the Chairs of the Film Departments, Assoc. Dean Michael Burke, and Richard Vague himself.

Can Graduate Thesis students apply?

Yes. For the purposes of this award, we consider "Grad Thesis Students" to be anyone who has completed their first two years of course work by May 2019 and is working on their Thesis film. You must be in good standing with the university (matriculated). If you are currently on a leave of absence, you are not eligible.

If I am awarded funds, how do I access them?

You will work very closely with the chair of your department throughout the production process. Please be aware that receiving an award does not mean you will receive the entire amount instantly. Your chair has to approve any and all use of the funds. Details for how to requests funds and document your use of them will be provided when you receive an award.

May I submit the same project multiple times during my years of eligibility?

You are eligible to apply each year of your eligibility, but cannot apply with the same project more than twice. Should you choose to submit the same project a second time, you will need to indicate that you are doing so in the section of the application marked “Previous Application History.” Failure to accurately disclose your past application history may cause your application to be disqualified.

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