FILM -- OCTOBER 2021

LALIFF Inclusion Fellowship

Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival

DEADLINE: October 14, 2021

INFO: LALIFF’s Inclusion Fellowship Series, sponsored by NETFLIX, is an ongoing program focused on building a more inclusive and equitable industry for all members of the Latino community. This year we are doubling the number of fellows and the Fellowship will be awarded to five visionary directors that identify as Indigenous Latino and five visionary directors that identify as Afro Latino. 

The ten selected participants will receive $20,000 each and mentorship from industry professionals to complete their films. Completed films will premiere at LALIFF 2022.

For the purpose of this program:

  • Indigeous Latino will be defined as any filmmaker living in the United States who self-identifies as Indigenous from a community in a Latin American territory or as Chicano/Xicanx or Mexican Native American.

  • Afro Latino will be defined as any filmmaker living in the United States who self-identifies as Afro Latino.

  • Applicants must be 21 years of age or older.

  • Applicants must be allowed to work in the United States.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

  • Professional Merit: Open to emerging filmmakers who have completed at least one short film, have not yet completed a feature film and are ready for the next step in their career.

  • Artistic Merit: Have a clear vision of what they want to execute and accomplish, with a powerful voice.

REQUIRED MATERIALS FOR SUBMISSION:

  1. Project Treatment
    Must include: Working title, Plot synopsis, and, Development

    • Must be written in English (although the final film can be in a different language)

    • Must be 3 pages or shorter (single space, Arial font)

    • Must be for a short film (less than 15 minutes) of any genre

    • Must be the original work of the submitter created solely for the purpose of this competition

  2. Director’s statement
    Elaborate on your motive and vision behind your proposal for this fellowship. (Max. 2 pages - Single space, Arial font)

  3. Identity Statement
    Provide a short statement on your connection to your Indigenous Latino or Afro Latino identity and community (max. 300 words)

  4. Samples of previous work
    It can be a director’s reel or excerpts from previous work (Max. 5 minutes)

For any questions related to the application, contact inclusionfellowship@latinofilm.org.

https://laliff.org/fellowship/

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SDF Production Grant

Southern Documentary Grant

DEADLINE: October 15, 2021 at 11:59 pm ET

INFO: The Southern Documentary Fund is proud to announce our 2021 SDF Production Grant for documentary makers living and working in the American South.

Please carefully review the information and guidelines below.

GENERAL ELIGIBILITY

  • Projects must be non-fiction documentaries.

  • Projects must be in pre-production, production, or post-production. Proposals for research, development, distribution or engagement funding are not eligible to apply for this grant.

  • Project Directors should reside in one of the following twelve Southern states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

  • Applicants must have a US social security number or US federal tax ID number.

  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

  • Applicants must not be enrolled in a film school or seeking funds for a student project.

NOTE: If your project has special circumstances regarding eligibility, please feel free to reach out to our Program Manager: chris@southerndocumentaryfund.org


REVIEW CRITERIA

  • Project falls within the scope of SDF's mission and values.

  • Primary team members have a strong connection to the story.

  • Proposal is well-researched and clearly presented.

  • Project has a feasible budget and fundraising plan.

  • Project Director and collaborators posses the skills necessary to successfully complete the project.

  • The applicant shows an understanding of their intended audience and how to reach them.

Information Sessions will take place on September 14th and October 2nd. Please pre-register here. 

https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/programs/filmmaking-grants/

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2022 CANNESFILMS UNLIMITED: RESIDENCY FOR FEATURE FILMS

The Black List

DEADLINE: October 21, 2021

INFO: The Black List is excited to partner with Canal+, Vivendi, the Festival de Cannes, the Université Côte d'Azur and the City of Cannes to bring you the 2022 CannesFilms Unlimited Residency for Feature Films. Participants will develop a new, original European film, in accordance with the brief below, in English. The program will begin virtually and continue with a three-week immersive residential program in Cannes, while attending the 2022 Festival de Cannes.

SUBMISSION PROCESS AND PROGRAM: Opt-ins will be open on the Black List website starting Thursday, September 9, 2021 and will close at midnight on Thursday, October 21, 2021. On Friday, October 22, 2021, up to 30 writers will be invited, based on the strength of their scripts as determined by the Black List, to submit the following additional application materials in order to be considered further:

  • Project Pitch (5 sentences)

  • One-Page Project Synopsis

  • One-Page Letter of Intention (outlining your artistic vision of the project and the reasons why you chose this subject)

  • Personal Statement (on why you would be an ideal candidate for the Residency)

  • Professional Resume/CV (including any produced film/TV credits)

  • Mood board for your proposed project (optional)

These materials will be due by the finalists by 5:00PM PST on Friday, October 29, 2021.

In November 2021, 18 writers and projects will be selected for the first round of the residency, a two-month-long online program during which they will meet with mentors and write a three page treatment for their film, due in January 2022.

In mid-January, each writer will pitch their film to a jury of industry professionals, including Canal+ and the Black List. From those 18 pitches, six writers will be selected to continue the online residency and attend the three-week-long residency in Cannes, France in May 2022. There they will outline their film and attend the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.

THE BRIEF: CANNESFILMS Unlimited is a writing residency aimed at developing the next generation of screenwriters and original content that is distinctly European in flavor. Candidates should reflect on the brief below and propose an original series relative to it in any genre. We are looking for strong and universal stories set in a European context; whether contemporary or historical, real or fictional. You might explore emblematic or little-known places, contemporary stories or revisited myths and legends. No matter your focus, Europe should be at the heart of your proposed project.

Please choose from one of the two following themes:

  • Power Takeover

  • Cross-cultural and/or generational stories

https://blcklst.com/partnerships/opportunities/104

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FLIP THE SCRIPT

Creator +

DEADLINE: October 22, 2021 by midnight PST

INFO: The entertainment industry has long been an exclusionary one, in which creators from marginalized identities are far less likely to be given the opportunities or resources to produce films at the full quality of which they are capable of and deserve. And when they do, they are far less likely to receive the recognition their work has earned.

Most obviously, we see these glaring inequities as it relates to the industry-wide exclusion of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) creators, talent, and crew.

We believe that we are responsible for flipping the script on Hollywood’s exclusionary past by investing financially and professionally in the next-generation of BIPOC creators and industry leaders.

HOW IT WORKS:

  • Six BIPOC filmmakers will be given the opportunity to produce a short film with a runtime of 30 minutes or less.

  • A Creator+ Diversity Advisory Board made up of industry leaders will award one filmmaker the opportunity to develop a feature film with Creator+.

  • Creators will have their screenplay acquired by Creator+ and be given up to $25,000 to make their films and market their films.

  • We are specifically looking for projects with purpose—those which seek to tell unique & underrepresented stories & prioritize the involvement of diverse crews in their production.

  • The Creator+ team will assist with development, production, festival strategy, and distribution.

  • Eligible creators and aspiring filmmakers can be anyone who is already making content on online video platforms, to a college film major, to an up-and-coming TV writer who is looking to break out as a director.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

  • A script and optional deck (30 pages or less)

  • Scripts should incorporate the theme "The Power of Community" in whatever that means for you

  • Proposed budget and schedule

  • CV/Resume/Portfolio

  • Short video introducing yourself, the project, and why you deserve this opportunity

  • (Private Vimeo or YouTube link)

  • Signed release form

https://flipthescript.creatorplus.com/?fbclid=IwAR2qCGatYrUYA3sVNkv0WCHHiUXCazLF9xUsWEcUPpBsfcasV-SjzWPtlaE#opportunity

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HOMEGROWN: Future Visions RFP 2021

Firelight Media

DEADLINE: October 29, 2021 at 11:59pm CST 

INFO: Firelight Media invites emerging filmmakers living in the American Midwest who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC) to submit proposals or works-in-progress for a new digital shorts initiative series, HOMEGROWN: Future Visions.

Our upcoming collection will focus on Midwestern stories. Eight selected filmmakers will receive $35,000 to produce an 8-10 minute non-fiction short film. The filmmakers will work with Firelight Media from development through distribution, and will receive mentorship by established independent filmmakers. Additionally, filmmakers will be paired with a local public media station for additional editorial and audience engagement support, with a focus on local expertise and communities. Selected films will be distributed through public media with a planned release for Fall 2022.

Creative Brief

We seek projects that disrupt mainstream narratives about the Midwest and illuminate the living histories, cultures, and future visions of the region. Projects can vary in scope/approach, and address topics including (but not limited to): new forms of resistance and joy, land rights and reparations work, climate change and migration, interventions in the world of athletics, cultural changemakers, community traditions and rituals, and beyond. 

In the wake of widespread incidents of police brutality, advocacy for climate justice, and calls to end gun violence, HOMEGROWN: Future Visions explores how filmmakers, culture bearers and communities are redefining cultural identities through place-based storytelling. Projects that address the following questions will receive priority consideration: What does the future of the Midwest look like? What socio-cultural values should be retained? What Midwestern communities would benefit from amplification? Are there movements/people/events that have flourished that the rest of the country should know about?

The ideal candidates for the initiative are emerging filmmakers, storytellers, and journalists committed to unearthing never-before-told narratives rooted in their local community.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Project must be short form non-fiction, with a duration of 8-10 minutes

  • Project must be in development, pre-production, or early production

  • Applicant must identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or a person of color

  • Applicant must reside in the Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, or Wisconsin)

  • Applicant must be able to complete the project by August 2022

  • Applicants must hold artistic, budgetary, and editorial control, and must own the copyright of the proposed project

  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older by the time of submission

  • Applicants must be willing and able to work collaboratively with Firelight Media, local public media staff, and mentors

  • Only one proposal may be submitted per applicant

Projects NOT Eligible:

  • Feature documentaries, series, or fiction projects

  • Projects in post-production or completed films

  • Projects from currently enrolled students or made in conjunction with coursework

  • Projects or production entities which are non-US-based, owned, or controlled

  • Branded content or promotional projects

Firelight Media is a premier destination for non-fiction cinema by and about communities of color. Firelight Media produces documentary films, supports filmmakers of color, and cultivates audiences for their work. Firelight Media’s programs include the Documentary Lab, an 18-month fellowship that supports emerging filmmakers of color; Groundwork Regional Lab, which supports filmmakers in the American south, midwest, and U.S.-controlled Territories; and the William Greaves Fund for mid-career nonfiction filmmakers from racially and ethnically underrepresented communities. Firelight Media also produces digital short film series, including the recently released Hindsight series with Reel South and the Center for Asian American Media.

https://firelightmedia.submittable.com/submit/ad5f5db1-f7b4-4096-a2e5-718f79414cab/homegrown-future-visions-rfp-2021

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CALL FOR FILM SUBMISSIONS

CineAsian Films

DEADLINE: October 31, 2021

INFO: CineAsian Films is a film curation site dedicated to discovering the best short films by Asian filmmakers around the world. We want to amplify the voices of Asian filmmakers whose works are often overlooked and share them with a global audience that is hungry for original content.

CAF will work closely with all accepted filmmakers to create a review or interview for the website detailing the production and passion behind their work, and help promote the projects through our social media channels.

Note to filmmakers: Please make sure you check your spam/junk folders for the email you submitted to us with for any updates. If you have any questions, send us an email at info@cineasianfilms.com or DM us on Instagram @cineasianfilms.

FAQ:

What type of films are you looking for? 
CineAsian Films is accepting short films (40 minutes and under in running time) that MUST be either directed, written, produced by Asians/Pacific Islanders, starring Asians/Pacific Islanders, or made with a majority (at least 50%) Asian/Pacific Islander crew, as well as stories about Asian/Pacific Islander cultures and heritages of any genre. They can be from anywhere in the world. Any films made after 2012 are acceptable. Video quality must be at least 720p.

Do you accept feature film submissions? 
Not yet. We are currently only accepting short films. If this changes in the near future, we will update accordingly.

Does my film need to be in English? 
We accept films in any language. However, if your movie is not in English, we require English subtitles or dubbing. No exceptions.

Do you accept music videos? 
Yes! We accept music videos with a running time of 10 minutes or less. All the other rules for films apply.

Can I submit more than one project? 
Absolutely! Multiple submissions are permissible, but each project must be submitted as a separate entry.

How long will it take for me to hear back? 
While we intend to get back to you as soon as possible, response time may vary depending to volume and other factors. The curation team will do its best to respond to your submission within a few weeks.

What if my film is already online? 
No problem! We do not require exclusivity or any premiere status in order to be featured on our site. We do, however, grant priority to premiere releases.

What if my film is unreleased? 
Not a problem at all. Just include the password in your submission form so we can access it.

Do you offer refunds? 
Sorry, all fees are non-refundable.

My film is still in the festival circuit and not ready for an online release yet. Should I wait to submit? 
No, we accept films still in the festival circuit. If we accept your film, we'll work directly with you to coordinate what works best for you and your film.

What happens when my film is accepted? 
If your film is accepted, we will feature it on our website (with an embeddable video from YouTube or Vimeo that you provide so you get to keep all views and engagement – if you prefer that we upload the film for you, please let us know) along with either a review or email interview, or a director's statement in lieu of the other choices that you provide. We will also work with you on finding the best release date of your choice, and promote your work on our social media channels. (*If accepted, you grant us full permission to share clips, photos, trailers that you may provide for promotion on social media.*)

Will my film definitely be featured? 
Unfortunately, not all submissions are guaranteed to be featured. We're selective about the work we choose to feature, but that in no way reflects on the quality of your work. We do try our best to feature as many original works as possible.

How will you promote my work? 
You work will be featured on our website and shared across our social media accounts (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook). We encourage you and your cast and crew to also share the great news!

How long will my film or video be available? 
Your film or video will be available for as long as you wish or for as long as the video is available online. If at any time, you want to remove your film or video, you can send us a request.

If my submission was rejected, can I submit it again? 
You can only resubmit the same project if there were significant changes made to it.

What if I don't respond to you right away or in time after my film is accepted? 
There's no rush. However, we reserve the right to go ahead and post any material we do have, including a trailer, synopsis, promotional images, and any director's statements available on our website and social media channels. When you do get back to us, we will make any changes and updates accordingly.

https://filmfreeway.com/CineAsianFilms

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NYC WOMEN’S FUND FOR MEDIA, MUSIC AND THEATRE

NYFA

DEADLINE: November 1, 2021

INFO: The NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre provides grants to encourage and support the creation of digital, film, music, television, and live or online theatre content that reflects the voices and perspectives of all who identify as women.

Now in its third cycle, the NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre (“Women’s Fund”), administered by the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) in partnership with the City of New York Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), is part of a groundbreaking series of initiatives that address the underrepresentation of women in film, music, television and theatre. The Fund provides grants to encourage and support the creation of content that reflect the voices and perspectives of all who identify as women.

In 2021/22 cycle, the Women’s Fund will distribute $2.5M in funding to Media, Music and Theatre projects in NYC.

THE PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE: 

  • Finishing grants* for film, television, and digital projects

  • Funds for the creation of music recordings or videos

  • Production funds for live or online theatre

In addition to being made by, for, or about all who identify as women, projects are eligible if they feature a strong female perspective; and/or include a female-identified director and/or producer and/or writer/songwriter and/or engineer (for recordings) and/or female protagonist(s) or lead musical role. 

*To be eligible, projects need to have completed principal photography.

GRANTS WILL BE GIVEN IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES (AMOUNTS LISTED ARE THE MAXIMUM POTENTIAL GRANT): 

  • Fiction Feature (running time of 60 minutes or more) – $50,000

  • Fiction Short (running time of 59 minutes or less) – $25,000

  • Fiction Webisode/Webseries (all forms) – $20,000

  • Documentary Feature (running time of 60 minutes or more) – 50,000

  • Documentary Short (running time of 59 minutes or less) – $25,000

  • Documentary Webisodes/Webseries (all lengths and forms) – $20,000

  • Music: Classical/Experimental/Jazz/New Music – $20,000

  • Music General – $20,000

  • Theatre Production – grant amounts up to $50,000

https://www.nyfa.org/awards-grants/nyc-womens-fund-for-media-music-and-theatre/