The purpose of the Audiovisual Arts Endowment is to promote Estonian audiovisual culture by supporting the production of films, the organisation of film events and other activities that strengthen the position of audiovisual art in Estonian culture.

For that purpose, the following activities are supported:

• initiation and development of domestic film scripts and projects
• production of domestic and international film projects
• organisation of public events and festivals related to audiovisual art
• partial coverage of expenses related to participation in events held abroad
• continuing education in audiovisual art
• master's studies abroad
• organisation of arthouse film programmes at cinemas
• the activity of artistic associations
• the creation and publication of literature on audiovisual art
• distinguished individuals in audiovisual art

The Audiovisual Arts Endowment is guided by the Estonian film aid scheme (state aid SA.37526 (2013/N) – supporting Estonian audiovisual sector) when deciding on the award of benefits from the Estonia film aid scheme until 31 December 2018.  

• writing the initial version of the script of a full-length feature film up to 5,000 euros (allocated to a legal entity as a project grant or to a natural person as a creative fee);
• development of a feature film script up to 15,000 euros (includes all previous grants);
• development of a full-length feature film up to 25,000 euros (includes all previous grants);
• production of a full-length feature film up to 200,000 euros (includes all previous grants);
• development of a full-length documentary film up to 8,000 euros;
• production of a full-length documentary film up to 50,000 euros (includes all previous grants);
• production of a half-hour documentary film (including development) up to 15,000 euros;
• production of a short feature film (including development) up to 40,000 euros;
• production of an animated film (including development) up to 4,000 euros per minute, but no more than 150,000 euros as a total subsidy
• in case of minority co-production, the amount of the benefit is up to half of the maximum rate

In addition to supporting film projects, the Endowment awards benefits for visiting and organising events and training related to the audiovisual sector, organising photography exhibitions, publishing printed matters, and showing arthouse film programmes.

Estonian professional associations, non-profit associations and foundations of the area are also eligible to apply for operational support.

The Endowment acknowledges and supports distinguished individuals of the area when they are celebrating their jubilees by awarding them the jubilee benefit. Some of the meritorious filmmakers are also supported with quarterly benefit. When choosing the beneficiaries, the Endowment takes into account received proposals and initiatives.

The Endowment allocates benefit for medicinal products to distinguished persons in the field of audiovisual arts. The Endowment also allocates funeral benefit to help cover the costs incurred in relation to the funeral of a distinguished person of the area and to help his or her family.

The Endowment supports creative persons of the area with the one-year creative grant and the one-time creative grant. The one-year creative grant is intended for self-improvement of professionals that are involved in audiovisual art, development of new ideas and a longer-term greater focus on creative work. The amount of the grant is 7,500 euros and applications must be submitted by 20 August. Applications for the one-time creative grant, which is up to 2,000 euros, can be submitted four times a year.

The Endowment awards study grants for obtaining a special education in a higher school abroad and it is up to 3,200 euros in a semester.

The Endowment acknowledges creative people once a year for exceptional achievements with the annual awards with up to 5,500 euros. When making an annual award, the proposals and initiatives received by the Endowment by 20 November are taken into account.

In addition to the annual awards, the Endowment acknowledges once a year long-term activity and contribution to the development of the area with the life's work award, which is 10,000 euros.

The purpose of the acknowledgement award ranging from 300 to 2,000 euros is to recognise creative people of the area for their commitment to their professional field that has influenced the development of the area and to inspire them in their further professional activity. Proposals for making the acknowledgement award may be submitted four times a year.