Who Let The Docs Out, a new non-profit documentary film fund and alliance, officially announced its public launch of two grant programs: the 2026 Coexistence Documentary Fund and the 2026 Automation & Humanity Documentary Fund.
The organisation supports documentary filmmakers investigating the structural and economic systems that connect humans, animals, and emerging technologies - a subject matter that remains under-explored in mainstream non-fiction cinema.
The two documentary funds follows a pilot funding round in December 2025, which awarded $72,000 USD to 9 independent filmmakers developing character-driven narratives.
Two New Funds Open for Spring 2026 Cycle:
Applications are NOW OPEN for both funding streams. The deadline is March 16, 2026, with notifications in late April.
1. The Coexistence Documentary Fund (Primary Fund)
Supports investigative and character-driven documentaries examining the industrial, economic, and social dimensions of human-animal relationships.
- Development Grant: $15,000 ($7,000 for shorts) – For sizzle reels and pitch decks
- Research Grant: $8,000 ($4,000 for shorts) – For early-stage research including character identification, narrative structure and fieldwork
(Expanding to production, post production and impact campaign grants in late 2026)
- Focus Areas: Public health impacts from the use of animals, wildlife and conservation, industrial and research use of animals, as well as their connections to labor rights and environmental justice.
2. The Automation & Humanity Documentary Fund
Supports investigative storytelling into the development, deployment, and societal impact of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems.
- Research Grant: $8,000 (Features) / $4,000 (Shorts)
- Mission: To support rigorous inquiry into AI governance, safety protocols, algorithmic accountability, and the technological forces reshaping labor and society
Submission Details
Applications are open now via the Who Let The Docs Out granti portal. The organisation accepts applications from filmmakers worldwide and prioritises independent productions with strong directorial vision.
About: Who Let The Docs Out
Who Let The Docs Out is a documentary fund supporting non-fiction filmmakers tackling underreported systems and structural questions. The organisation prioritises narrative-driven cinema that bridges investigative journalism and visual storytelling.
"Infrastructural stories that shape our world rarely make it to screen," said Joanna Hellier, Program Director of Who Let The Docs Out. "We're looking for filmmakers who can bring investigative rigour and cinematic craft to complex systems, whether that's global supply chains, labor practices, public health, or the governance of autonomous technologies."
For inquiries please contact:
joanna@wholetthedocsout.org
max@wholetthedocsout.org
https://docsout.org/
https://www.instagram.com/who.letthedocsout/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/who-let-the-docs-out/