WILD TO INSPIRE SHORT FILM CONTEST
National Geographic
INFO: National Geographic has invested in bold people and transformative ideas across the globe, with the aim of bettering our understanding of the natural world. As National Geographic Explorer Dr. Jane Goodall once said: “Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, shall all be saved.”
For this year’s National Geographic Wild to Inspire Short Film Contest, we’re asking you to create a short film that celebrates the 50-year anniversary of Earth Day. Launched in 1970, the first Earth Day spurred critical environmental conversations around some of these big problems, leading to efforts to save endangered species, regulate pesticides and harmful chemicals, and reduce single-use plastic. These efforts have become even more critical today.
50 years after the first Earth Day, how will you use the power of film to inspire viewers to work towards a planet in balance in the 21st century?
The Finalists
Up to 3 finalists will be flown to the 2020 Sun Valley Film Festival for a special screening of their films.
The Grand Prize
One grand prize winner – selected by a panel of experts after the screenings at the Sun Valley Film Festival – will receive a National Geographic expedition.
Requirements
Films must be under 3 minutes long and celebrate Earth Day. Films will be judged on the following criteria:
Thirty percent (30%) for connection to the theme
Twenty percent (20%) for quality of storyline and script
Twenty percent (20%) for creativity and/or content originality
Twenty percent (20%) for production quality (e.g., lighting, shot composition, focus, sounds)
Ten percent (10%) for editing
Only legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of entry are eligible to enter.
We encourage submissions from indigenous filmmakers, filmmakers of color, filmmakers with disabilities, LGBTQQIA filmmakers, female-identified filmmakers, and filmmakers from other intersectional and marginalized groups. If you identify as one or more of the above and would like to let us know, please include a note along with your film description.
DEADLINE: February 4, 2020
ISA FAST TRACK FELLOWSHIP — FEATURE FILM
INFO: This is the 11th season of the ISA Fast Track Fellowship. With each passing year we continue to find fresh and original voices to pair up with eight veteran industry mentors for an intense, career-launching week in Los Angeles. After the week is over, our Fellows are invited onto the ISA Development Slate for support from the Development Team for a minimum of one year!
When the program launched, we had no idea what impact it would have on our Fellows' careers. Many of our Fellows have signed with top agents, managers and/or had their scripts optioned or purchased. There is no faster path to breaking in than getting on the Fast Track!
The ISA Fast Track Fellowship gives two undiscovered screenwriters a direct line to meet with and be mentored by eight top executives in Los Angeles. We'll fly you to L.A. and provide you the experience of a lifetime by connecting you to top industry contacts. The two Fast Track Fellows will immediately be invited onto the ISA Development Slate and work directly with the ISA Development Team for an entire year in an effort to Fast Track their careers.
OVER 60 SCRIPTS ON THE ISA DEVELOPMENT SLATE HAVE BEEN PRODUCED OR OPTIONED!
Many more are out to top producers and many of these emerging screenwriters have received representation as a result of getting onto the Slate.
TWO FAST TRACK FELLOWS WILL RECEIVE:
Mentorship Week in Los Angeles featuring 8 meetings with studio and development executives and literary agents
Airfare and hotel included
Year-long script development and guidance
Acceptance onto the ISA Development Slate
Script Diagnosis Read and Notes Session from Jessica Blank Coaching
A 12-Month ISAConnect Membership
The Craft Course in Screenwriting
Fellowship announcements to various media outlets
TOP 50 WILL RECEIVE:
The Craft Course in Screenwriting
A 12-Month ISAConnect Membership
With the ISA Fast Track, you win the experience of a lifetime, a launching pad to a career with connections that normally take decades to create. When we fly you to Los Angeles, you'll build relationships that can lead to a paying career doing what you love! The ISA is here to give writers a shortcut to resources, support and experience that will aid in long-term career success. We encourage emerging screenwriters of all levels and backgrounds to apply.
SUBMISSION FEE: $79
DEADLINE: February 12, 2020
https://www.networkisa.org/contest/view/fasttrack
The Roxbury International Film Festival
INFO: The Roxbury International Film Festival (ROXFILM) is the largest festival in New England dedicated to celebrating the work of filmmakers creating films celebrating people of color.
ROXFILM showcases feature-length films, documentaries, shorts and animation. We are particularly committed to screening works by filmmakers with a connection to the New England area, however we also screen works by filmmakers from around the world as well.
The festival also includes workshops, panel discussions, networking opportunities, receptions, parties, and Q&A with filmmakers and special guests. Previous guests have included, Ruby Lee, Billy Dee Williams, Robert Townsend, Charles Burnett, Ernie Hudson, Daphne Maxwell-Reid, Michael Beach, Ava DuVernay, CCH Pounder, Kasi Lemmons, Victoria Rowell, Hill Harper, Jamie Hector, Mel Jackson, and Miriam Colon, Russ Parr, Guy Torry, N'Bushe Wright, Susan Batson, Anthony Montgomery, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Michael Ealy, Chico Bennymon, Marla Gibbs Topper Carew, Quincy Newell and S. Epatha Merkerson.
21st Annual Roxbury International Film Festival will be held June 19, 2018- June 29, 2019. Films will be screened at the Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, Haley House Bakery Cafe and Hibernian Hall in Roxbury, MA.
More general information about the festival can be found at www.roxburyinternationalfilmfestival.com
AWARDS & PRIZES: ROXFILM is a competitive festival. Awards include "Audience Favorite," "Best Short Film," "Best of Festival," "Best Documentary," "Emerging Local Filmmaker," and "Youth Filmmaker."
DEADLINES:
Regular: February 17, 2020
Late: March 9, 2020
https://filmfreeway.com/TheRoxburyInternationalFilmFestival
CINEODYSSEY FILM FESTIVAL
INFO: The CineOdyssey Film Festival showcases diverse, contemporary films from around the world, featuring cutting edge works by filmmakers of color from the African, Caribbean, Latino, Asian, and Native American diasporas, as well as the U.S.
It serves to bring together diverse audiences, bridge cultural understanding, and encourage the artistic development of aspiring filmmakers. Through workshops, panel discussions, celebrated guest speakers, and educational programming throughout the year, the festival's intent is to entertain, enlighten, empower, and engage. The impressive lineup of films boldly address the multicultural issues of today, which meet at the intersection of race, class, and gender, as well as celebrating the creative craft of the art form.
AWARDS CATEGORIES:
Best Feature Film
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Short Film
Best Student Film
Best Regional Film (North Carolina or South Carolina, short or feature)
Best Documentary Film
Best Animated Film
Best Smartphone Film
Best Web Series
DEADLINES:
Regular: February 19, 2020
Late: April 3, 2020
Extended: May 22, 2020
WORKSPACE RESIDENCY
Lower Manhattan Cultural Center
INFO: LMCC’s flagship residency program, Workspace, is a nine-month studio-based program that focuses on the creative process and cohort development of emerging artists. At its core, Workspace nurtures experimentation, creative risk taking, collaboration, learning and skill sharing through regular opportunities for dialogue with peers and arts professionals. Participating artists are provided round-the-clock access to semi-private studio spaces and are expected to engage with the cohort for the full duration of the nine-month program.
LMCC is shifting its guidelines for the Workspace program to be more responsive to the multi- and interdisciplinary ways in which artists work. We seek to create a welcoming, diverse, and dynamic cohort of individuals working across disciplines, including but not limited to visual arts, film, performance art, social practice, design, digital media, and the literary arts.
DEADLINE: February 27, 2020
CREATIVE CAPITAL AWARDS
INFO: Creative Capital supports innovative and adventurous artists across the country through funding, counsel, and career development services. Our pioneering venture philanthropy approach helps artists working realize their visions and build sustainable practices. Creative Capital provides each funded project with up to $50,000 in direct funding and career development services valued at more than $50,000, for a total commitment of over $100,000 per project.
The application for the Creative Capital Awards is open to artists, collectives, and collaborations working in all disciplines, including Literary Fiction, Poetry, Theater, and Narrative Film, among others.
DEADLINE: February 29, 2020
https://creative-capital.org/award/about-the-creative-capital-award-open/
SCREENCRAFT SCREENWRITING FELLOWSHIP (2020): SCREENWRITING FELLOWSHIP
INFO: The chosen Fellowship recipients will receive ongoing professional support and a special trip to Los Angeles for meetings, mentorship and personal introductions to key entertainment studio executives, producers, literary managers and agents. To apply, simply submit your feature film script or original television script, along with an optional cover letter that expresses your vision and background as an emerging writer.
Apply now and join a thriving community of talented screenwriters with meaningful connections to industry mentors.
ENTRY FEE: $69
DEADLINE: February 29, 2020
https://screencraft.org/fellowship/
REEL SISTERS OF THE DIASPORA FILM FESTIVAL & LECTURE SERIES
INFO: The Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series is a two-day annual film festival founded by African Voices magazine and LIU's Media Arts Dept., Brooklyn Campus. Reel Sisters has expanded to include a six week season with a kick off in Harlem and awards ceremony. Established in 1997, Reel Sisters (www.reelsisters.org) is dedicated to providing opportunities for women of color to advance their careers in the film industry. Reel Sisters accepts films written, directed, or produced by women/non-binary filmmakers of color. Reel Sisters is the first Academy Qualifying Film Festival devoted to women of color across the globe.
Reel Sisters 23 Anniversary event will take place from Oct. 24-25, 2020 in NYC. Reel Sisters is a competitive festival and films are selected by an independent jury. Please submit films early as deadlines are final. The festival provides quality customer service and does not offer fee waivers. The fee helps pay for a small fraction of the administrative costs for running a professional film festival.
Reel Sisters accepts all genres and formats with a special interest in submissions from animated and web series producers. Send us films that will make our audience “cry, dance, laugh, sing and explore." Reel Sisters is an Academy Qualifying Film Festival for Short Narratives. The festival curates events throughout the year so all entries will be considered for Reel Sisters Tea & Cinema series. Join our worldwide community of film professionals in celebrating stories produced, directed and written by women of color!
REEL SISTERS HIGHLIGHTS
• Listed in Film Daily's Top 10 Women Centered Film Festivals (2018)
https://filmdaily.co/news/female-focused-film-festivals/
• Profiled in Bushwick Daily, Shadow & Act, Film Daily, the Washington Post and Black Enterprise for presenting outstanding films by women of color from across the globe!
• Reel Sisters is a top tier film festival that provides a chance for women to gain distribution, network and access to opportunities in the film industry.
Awards & Prizes
Reel Sisters screens original films by women across the globe each year — the festival has screened over 5,000 films since its inception. Awards for Best Director, Best Documentary, Best Screenplay, Best Experimental, Best Animation, Best Feature, Best Short, Best Narrative, Best Web Series, Best Original Soundtrack and the Reel Sisters Spirit Award are selected by an independent jury composed of filmmakers, community leaders and artists. In 2016, Reel Sisters presented the Reel Sisters/Centric Awards, which includes a distribution deal with Centric/BET Networks. The cash awards depend on our funding level. It was a pleasure to bring back our scholarship awards to the film festival and with your support we can continue this tradition.
CASH AWARDS FOR 2020
Best Narrative Short - $1,000
Best Director - $500
Best Screenplay - $300
Best Animation - $200
DEADLINES:
Earlybird - March 9, 2020
Regular - May 15, 2020
Extended - June 15, 2020
https://filmfreeway.com/ReelSistersoftheDiasporaFilmFestival
BLACK WOMEN IN COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL
INFO: Black Women in Comedy Festival is celebrating its 2nd Year. The Festival celebrates women in Comedy from the African diaspora. We seek comedic films centered in the Black female experience from the US and across the world.
The Festival also showcases live comedy with standup acts, sketch comedy, Improv and Musical Comedy.
This two day Festival brings together #blackgirlmagic in it's truest comedic form.
Awards & Prizes
Best Screenplay
Best Actor
Best Director
Best Film
Rules & Terms
BWICF aims at sharing the comedic experiences of the women of the African diaspora. We celebrate allies showcasing us and aggressively seek to showcase many layers of our comedy. We are not monolithic.
This Festival welcomes those who want to celebrate in our sisterhood, our funny and layers of comedic art.
DEADLINE: March 15, 2020