Producers' Post May 2019
The Producers' Post is a regular update intended to keep producers informed on announcements, upcoming deadlines and events and anything else of interest. To be notified when a new post is up, please subscribe to the PIC newsletter. Included in this month's post.
Announcements
Film Festival Submissions
Funding Opportunities
Opportunities
Events
Job Opportunities
Resources
Announcements
Pacific Heartbeat Season 8 - Premiering May 2019
Pacific Heartbeat, now in its eighth season, is a television series that showcases independently produced documentary films of the real Pacific - its people, cultures and contemporary issues.
This season we witness stories of determination and courage from Australia, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Tonga and the U.S.
From those struggling to survive an outdated prison system through song to the right of passage of the Leitis, to the efforts to claim an ancestral artifact back to its homeland, and the valor of a K9 unit officer present at the 9-11 attack at the Pentagon.
SFFILM DOCUMENTARY FILM FUND NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Deadline: May 15, 2019
Final Deadline: June 5, 2019
The SFFILM Documentary Film Fund (DFF) supports engaging documentaries in post-production which exhibit compelling stories, intriguing characters and an innovative visual approach. DFF grants are awarded once each year to documentary feature projects and are open to filmmakers internationally. Individual grant amounts and the number of grants made will be determined on an annual basis. As with all SFFILM grants, in addition to the cash awards, recipients will gain access to numerous benefits through the comprehensive and dynamic SFFILM Makers artist development program.
For more information and to apply, please visit: http://bit.ly/2HWID1u.
THE 2019 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LAVINE/KEN BURNS PRIZE FOR FILM IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Deadline: June 1, 2019
The Better Angels Society is now accepting rough or fine cuts submissions.
This new national prize is designed to provide finishing funds, including outreach and marketing, for feature length American history documentaries in the tradition of Ken Burns. Appropriate submissions are rough or fine cuts of films focusing on American narratives. They use inclusive voices, reflect the highest standards of accuracy and original research, and are driven by compelling storytelling. The goal of this annual award is to support the development of quality American history documentary films so that more are seen by a wider audience. Prize winner receives $200,000 in finishing funds (including outreach and marketing) for feature length American history documentaries in the tradition of Ken Burns.
Submissions are reviewed by a jury and the winner is selected by the Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden in consultation with Ken Burns.
For more information and to apply, please visit: http://bit.ly/2Jg1d4C.
FILM INDEPENDENT PRODUCING LAB NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Non-Member Deadline: June 4, 2019
Member Extended Deadline: June 18, 2019
The Film Independent Producing Lab is an intensive, week-long program designed to help filmmakers develop and expand their skills as creative, independent producers. Producers may apply with feature length fiction projects that are in development/packaging phase, or post-production.
In addition to attending lab sessions with legal, financial and distribution experts, Producing Lab Fellows will workshop their projects with an experienced Creative Advisor to develop a strategy to propel their projects forward. The lab culminates with a pitch session with established executives, offering participants valuable practical experience – and the chance to introduce their projects to a larger cross-section of the industry.
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation will award one participant of the Film Independent Producing Lab the annual Sloan Producers Grant of $30,000 with which to further develop their project.
For more information and to apply, please visit: http://bit.ly/2PSxgZx.
SFFILM VULCAN PRODUCTIONS ENVIRONMENTAL FELLOWSHIP NOW OPEN
Deadline: June 5, 2019
Open for filmmakers internationally, the SFFILM Vulcan Productions Environmental Fellowship supports a feature documentary project in development or early production that addresses pressing environmental or conservation issues through strong, creative storytelling. A $25,000 grant is awarded to the fellow and their project.
The SFFILM Vulcan Productions Environmental Fellowship is geared towards filmmakers from anywhere in the world with a proven track record of creating compelling, wide-reaching stories through documentary film, photography, journalism, or related fields. This fellowship will support a feature documentary project that addresses pressing environmental or conservation issues through strong, creative storytelling that is both unique and appealing to a large audience.
For more information and to apply, please visit: http://bit.ly/sffilmvulcan.
IDA DOCUMENTARY AWARDS 2019 CALL FOR ENTRIES NOW OPEN
Early Deadline: May 10, 2019
Regular Deadline: June 28, 2019
Extended Deadline: July 8, 2019
The IDA Documentary Awards is back for its 35th year, celebrating the best of the nonfiction genre, with the ceremony set for December 7 at the Paramount Theatre. Call for Entries is now open to any film, series or audio documentary completed or scheduled to premiere between October 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019.
New rules and regulations have been made this year. The eligibility period has been extended. Best Limited Series is now Multi-Part Documentary. Lastly, submitters must option to send their film for consideration for additional awards (Creative Recognition Awards, ABC News VideoSource Award and Pare Lorentz Award) after the main category selection.
For more information and to apply, please visit: http://bit.ly/2ViAFqF.
Announcing the 2020 (Egg) Celebrator Lab Open Call
Exciting news from the Nest: Chicken & Egg Pictures is now accepting applications for the 2020 (Egg)celerator Lab (formerly the Accelerator Lab) open call.
The (Egg)celerator Lab is focused on identifying and supporting nonfiction directors working on their first or second feature-length documentaries. This program brings together ten projects, with a special focus on self-identifying women and gender non-conforming directors.
In this year-long intensive mentorship program, these ten projects receive:
- $35,000 in grant funding for the production of their feature-length film;
- Monthly mentorship with members of Chicken & Egg Pictures' senior creative team;
- Three creative retreats focused on career sustainability and creative development;
- Industry and funder connections; and
- Peer support from the (Egg)celerator Lab cohort.
The deadline to apply for the 2020 (Egg)celerator Lab is June 25 at 3:00 pm EDT.
Public Media Women in Leadership (PMWL) is thrilled to announce the launch of the PMWL Mentoring and Engagement program's second mentoring round.
This is your chance to be matched with a mentor to help reach your career goals.
Potential mentors and mentees can visitpmwlmentoring.chronus.com to sign up. Applicants will be asked to fill out a profile form to begin the mentoring process.
Mentoring partnerships will be based on the needs of mentees and the skills of mentors as well as the participants pool we have.
If during the second round you are not connected with a mentor, your profile will be deactivated but continued to be saved in our platform. You will receive correspondence from the program once your profile becomes active for the third round of mentoring.
Applying to the program is easy and straight forward. If you have any questions, please contact PMWL’s Mentorship and Engagement Coordinator, Veronica Varela Reyes, atvarelareyes.vr@gmail.com.
Funding Opportunities
IDA Enterprise Documentary Fund
The IDA Enterprise Documentary Fund provides production funds to feature-length documentary films taking on in-depth explorations of original, contemporary stories and integrating journalistic practice into the filmmaking process. In addition to funds, grantees will receive additional resources and expertise tailored to the needs of the project. Inclusion and diversity, both in terms of the filmmaking team and subject matter, are a priority of the fund.
LPB 2019 FUNDING CYCLE
Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB) wants to hear your stories! The 2019 LPB Funding Cycle is now accepting applications for two funding initiatives, the Current Issues Fund (CIF) and the Public Media Content Fund (PMCF).
The Current Issues Fund provides production and post-production funding to documentary films from the Latino American perspective (60 or 90 minutes only) that explore contemporary civic and social justice issues, incorporate a journalistic approach into the filmmaking process and have resonance for a U.S. national audience. LPB is looking for stories that explore timely issues, demonstrate artistic storytelling and have potential to engage communities in civic discourse beyond the broadcast. Funding for CIF ranges from $40,000 to $100,000.
A Solicitation Supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Latino Public Broadcasting Public Media Content Fund
The Public Media Content Fund (PMCF) provides funding for documentaries, limited series or short digital video programs for online distribution (no longer than 20 minutes) that are appropriate for public television and/or one of its platforms. PMCF accepts project submissions in the genre of the arts, history, science, health, biography, personal storytelling, cultural documentary, mixed genre, narrative and we are especially interested in election programs for 2020. Funding for PMCF ranges from $10,000 to $100,000.
All applications must be submitted online here
For the Funding Cycle Guidelines, please click here
For Funding Cycle FAQ's, please click here
Opportunities
Open Sundance Institute Artist Applications
From filmmakers in short, feature, and episodic storytelling to theatre artists and composers, Sundance Institute has year-round artist programs designed to provide dynamic support throughout the creative journey. The programs consist of grants, workshops, resources, and labs to guide artists, nurture projects, and grow careers.
Sundance Indigenous Program Opportunities
Sundance Institute has been committed to supporting Indigenous artists since its founding. Learn about open opportunities for Indigenous artists, including year-round fellowships, lab opportunities, and events. Deadlines vary by opportunity.
Learn from masters in the field and stretch yourself in unexpected ways at THREAD, Yale University’s non-fiction storytelling program. Called an “extraordinary personal and professional development experience”, THREAD sets out to show participants how to craft engaging stories and develop meaningful connections with their audiences. Gain access to creators who have mastered the art of storytelling in today’s industry while learning and growing in a collaborative, safe space.
Events
Hot Docs Industry Market & Conference
The Hot Docs Conference Pass offers unparalleled professional development opportunities—from hands-on workshops to keynote addresses from industry leaders—covering all aspects of the art and business of documentary.
Film Festivals
Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival - May 2 - 10
CAAMFest - May 9 - 19
Portland Film Festival - Oct 14 - 20
Austin Film Festival - Oct 24 - 31
Job Opportunities
Media Arts Grants Management Specialist (GS-1109-11)
Resources
POV Fellowships, Residencies and Labs
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