Rough Edges Announces ‘Lost and Found’ Fellowships for Marginalised Filmmakers Exploring Mental Health and Healing

New Delhi: The India-based arts initiative Rough Edges has announced its Lost and Found Fellowships, inviting women, non-binary, trans and queer filmmakers from marginalised communities across India to develop documentary films centred on mental health, care and healing.

The fellowships aim to support cinematic explorations of affirmative relationships, solidarities and unconventional therapeutic journeys. According to the call for proposals, selected filmmakers will examine themes such as “finding and shaping affirmative relationships, friendships, connections and solidarities,” as well as “diverse and unconventional journeys of healing, care and affirmative therapeutic modalities.” The programme also seeks to spotlight the motivations, achievements and challenges of mental health defenders.

Who Can Apply

The fellowships are open to women, non-binary, trans and queer filmmakers from marginalised communities who are residents of India. Applicants may apply individually, as teams, or as collectives. While the primary applicant must meet the eligibility criteria, collaborators and team members may identify otherwise.

Applicants uncertain about eligibility are encouraged to contact the organisers directly via email.

Formats and Funding

Six fellowships will be awarded across three categories:

• Short documentaries (15–40 minutes)
• Mid-length films (40–60 minutes)
• Feature-length documentaries (60–75 minutes)

The maximum budget allocation is ₹2,50,000 for short documentaries and ₹5,25,000 for feature-length films. Budgets for mid-length projects will vary based on project requirements. Organisers have clarified that proposals and budgets must align realistically with the scale of the fellowship.

Films may be produced in any language that best captures the depth and specificity of the subject matter. However, all completed films must carry English subtitles to ensure wider accessibility.

Development Stage Requirements

The fellowships are designed for projects responding directly to the call or those in early stages of development. Projects that already have a rough cut or are seeking only post-production or finishing funds will not be considered.

Rough Edges has also clarified that it is not open to co-productions under this fellowship programme. Each applicant or team may submit only one proposal.

If commissioned, fellows must commit to completing their films within nine to ten months. The selected projects will be mentored and developed in dialogue with Rough Edges as part of a structured fellowship process.

Filmmakers who have previously submitted proposals to the Subtext Artistic Research Fellowships are eligible to apply for the Lost and Found Fellowships. However, only one of the two fellowships will be awarded to a selected applicant or team.

Submission Process and Deadline

Applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals through the online Proposal Submission Form made available by Rough Edges. Alternatively, they may download the form, complete it, and email it in .doc or .pdf format to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line: Proposal for Lost and Found Fellowships.

The deadline for submissions is 22 February 2026.

In case of difficulty accessing or completing the form, applicants may write to the organisers for assistance.

Selection and Terms

Rough Edges has stated that it will not consider incomplete proposals, submissions that fail to reach them, or those submitted after the deadline. The organisation will not be responsible if multiple proposals explore similar themes and reserves the right to select any, or none, of them.

Final decisions will be made by a Fellowship Jury comprising representatives from Rough Edges and two independent jurors. The jury’s decision will be final.

With its focus on storytelling that foregrounds care, resistance and community-based healing, the Lost and Found Fellowships seek to expand the space for mental health narratives shaped by lived experience and creative autonomy.