Let me help you get funding!

Crafting a treatment, pitch, funding proposal, synopsis, story outline and script development for documentary takes a seasoned professional. Before it'll shine on the screen, I’ll make your film sound polished and captivating on paper!

Let's collaborate!

AT YOUR SERVICE!

Quick Review

I do an overall review of your proposal with a thorough report. For a higher fee, dependent on length of materials/video viewing, I do a deeper analysis of 3+ sections.

Grants

Proposal writing for documentaries, usually from a rough draft. Editing descriptions, treatments, director statements, crew bios, story outlines, outreach etc…

Story Audit

Help with the narrative, including fleshing out characters, reworking story arc, and making additions for clarity and comprehension.

Promotional Copy

Revising and improving any communications involving your film, including press releases, website copy, background materials, blurbs and the like.

About me

“June possesses deep knowledge of what organizations and funders are looking for. Her insights were invaluable.”
(Katyayani Kumar, Director)

I love to tell stories in different ways. I’m an award-winning filmmaker with more than 20 years experience in journalism, writing, editing, broadcasting and communications. I’ve turned to documentary grant and proposal writing to utilize all the experience and skills I’ve learned in that time because, for me, documentaries are a vital form of media. During those years, I learned how to compose scripts for radio and TV stories, produce online news features, craft magazine articles and formulate social media content. As a script consultant, I've constructed story treatments and proposals, reviewed non-fiction scripts, directed service videos and created winning pitches for my own documentaries and other films.
In 2009/2010, I landed a Mid-Career Fellowship with the Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC). Consequently, I acquired training in proposal writing and met with commissioning editors, gaining valuable information about how pitches and grants are assessed.
Moreover, I've conducted grant workshops for the Berlinale Toolbox Program and Women Make Movies.
Read more: My 3 tips for writing a good documentary proposal

I know how to massage your message!

Let's make your documentary proposal sparkle!

I can Improve, Illuminate and (re)Imagine your narrative, non-fiction script, proposal or any copy that needs that special touch in the service of getting documentary funding or making your communications shine.

I have worked on grants for the Hot Docs Pitch Prize and applications for IDA funding and fellowships, Firelight Media funds and its doc lab, Sundance, Chicken & Egg, Redford Center, CAAM Social Change Fund, Tribeca, Ford Foundation JustFilms, Creative Capital, Catapult, Berkeley Film Foundation, ITVS, BAVC (San Francisco), Blue Ice Doc Fund, the Rogers Film Fund, Canada Council, NFB (National Film Board of Canada), BRAVO, BRITDOC Bertha and National Geographic as well as mid-sized funding organizations.

I Can Get You Closer to Your Documentary

01.

We Discuss
Together

You send me your relevant background materials and synopsis. We talk about your proposal and what you need and sort out how much work is required and the timeline.

02.

You Draft
On Your Own

You take a specific grant, or if you prefer you can write up a basic proposal, and put everything you have into it. If necessary, you can also send me some background materials and video.

03.

I Review
and Edit

I make changes to your draft and send it back for you to revise a second time. You return it to me for a final edit polish. You control which of my recommendations to incorporate and adjust it in your own words.

WHAT I’VE DONE
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Travels with my Brother

I co-directed and produced an award-winning hybrid documentary combining video and stop-motion animation exploring the inner life an autistic man, exposing how he navigates the world. Check the trailer.

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Podcast/Audio

I’m proud of a limited podcast series I co-created in Berlin that explored human movement i.e. migration through creative audio documentaries. Check out my personal take on What is Home?

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Arts Features

From 2007 to 2021, I was a columnist for rabble.ca, Canada’s main progressive news site, doing a mix of interviews, reviews and occasional news with a focus on social justice, human rights and environmental issues.

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Journalism

I spent more than 18 years as a reporter, producer, announcer and writer/editor with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) working in radio, TV and online. I covered news, current affairs, arts, health and technology.

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Linkedin

Follow me on LinkedIn where I’m consistently updating my work and occasionally writing posts. It’s the best way to stay tuned with my latest activities.

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Lots more

I’ve done work for other publications, magazines, online media, and the like. Peruse the diversity of my portfolio (columns, personal essays, travel, food blogging, profiles) on my website.

what people say about my work

Testimonials
June swiftly drafted a compelling narrative that captured the essence of our project. She has exceptional ability to articulate the unique aspects of our film, making it stand out in a highly competitive grant process. Her skill in crafting an evocative and descriptive artistic treatment was particularly impressive. I highly recommend her.
Katyakani Kumar

Writer/Director/Producer
India and USA

My only regret is that I didn’t bring June in at the start of my grant process. I’m building her services into my next budget. June is very perceptive in surfacing vital aspects that enriched different parts of my proposal. She does an incredible job of finding just the right ways to articulate your vision.
Ari N. Ali

Filmmaker/Immersive Producer
California/Washington DC, USA

I found June through a women’s filmmaking group. Not only did she have grant writing experience but could understand the nuances of creating work as a woman of color. I'm tooting June Chua’s horn because she was so helpful in getting me to the root of my project, conveying my mission clearly to boost my chances for the grant.
Oluwaseun Babalola

Executive Producer, Do Global Productions
USA and Africa

Are you ready to turn your documentary idea into reality? Let's talk!
Where in the world

I'm a Canadian who works internationally

Let's Talk

You can find me on Google Meet:
chua.june@gmail.com

E-mail

Email is the fastest way to contact me:
chua.june@gmail.com

Social Networks

You can follow me on Instagram:
@re.juneration