Financing and Producing Documentary Programs with Mitchell Block
DAY 1 – Sat. September 15, 9:30am - 4:30pm at The Writers Boot Camp

Learn to design and get funding to make your documentary. Explore the ins and outs of both for-profit and not-for profit fundraising, distribution, and marketing opportunities. Learn how to best package your work to attract funding, get rights, put together the strongest package, do presales, structure the right business form, and more.

Share your ideas or projects at any stage of production and have them evaluated as part of the class.

Part ONE
Look at public sector funding. Grants from government agencies, working with local and national public television stations. Working with PBS and CPB. How to work with foundations to tap into the hundred of millions of dollars available for gran...Read more »

If you're thinking of applying to the Cal Humanities California Documentary Project Grant, it's time to get started! Check out their upcoming informational grant workshops in San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles, or take advantage of the webinar on Tuesday, August 28th from 10:30am - noon. We'll be at the Los Angeles workshop on September 5th so if you're there make sure to say hello! The grant deadline is October 1, 2012 at 5pm.  Learn more>>

In an IDA interview with filmmaker Linda Goldstein Knowlton, she discusses the making of her most recent film, Somewhere Between. Like many filmmakers over the past few years, Goldstein Knowlton used a Kickstarter campaign as part of her fundraising strategy. She shares her experience with us -- not to mention giving the Fiscal Sponsorship Program a shout out! Here is an excerpt from the interview:

IDA: What was your experience like using Kickstarter to help finance your film?

Linda Goldstein Knowlton: First, a huge shout-out for the IDA's Fiscal Sponsorship Program, without which I would not be talking to you right now; having that fiscal sponsorship made the film possible, so I'm truly, truly grateful for the sponsorship program through the IDA. We used Kickstarter to raise money for theatrical distribution, which starts August 24 in New York and September 14 in Los Angeles. Kickstarter was also a godsend, with the sense of community that I felt of people spreading the word and commenting and stranger...Read more »

"Sadly...discrimination still exists in the marketplace towards documentaries" despite how well they are reviewed by critics in a variety of well-respected newspapers and websites. Why do you think docs don't do better at the box office?

Read this great article by Anthony Kaufman from the Sundance Now blog and leave your comment below!

Docutopia #10: Why Are the Best Reviewed Movies Still Seen As Second-Class?

It might be tempting to think that if you write a check to a grant writer you can check out of the process and focus on making your film while the funds pour in. The reality is that when your selling your own creative vision, ceding all the responsibility of crafting a proposal isn’t necessarily possible or advisable. Hiring outside help be the right choice for your project but there are a few things to consider before handing over the fundraising reigns:

The argument for DIY

There are a few strong arguments in favor or writing your own grant proposals whenever possible. First, when it’s your passion and artistic vision it’s unlikely that anyone else can sell it like you can.  Filtering your creative vision through someone else’s voice can end up diluting it.

Also keep in mind that if you are applying to a documentary specific grant, it’s likely that your peers will make up a significant part of any review panel. There is no need to fill y...Read more »

Thank you to everyone who has already submitted a mid-year report! Since this is the first reminder we've had a chance to send about project reports for the first half of 2012, we're offering everyone a one month extension until August 31st. Remember that all active projects must complete a report, even if you haven't received any funding. Projects will be placed on hold if reports are not completed by the end of the month. Visit the main FSP page and click on the File a Project Report link to access the form and instructions. Contact Amy Halpin (amy@documentary.org) or Lisa Hasko (lisa.h@documentary.org) with questions.

It is truly amazing the lengths to which documentary filmmakers will go to 'get the shot.' At times they put their lives at risk to give depth and meaning to stories that otherwise would remain untold. During a recent Doc U, filmmakers Till Schauder, Katherine Fairfax Wright and Laura Nix speak about their experiences working in Iran, Uganda and Syria. They share the complexities of filmmaking in countries with strict gender codes and even stricter journalism laws, as well as their strategies for hiding sound equipment at border crossings. Underwear never seemed so useful! Watch now>>

We know not all our sponsored films are social-issue based, but as this excellent article makes clear, no matter what the subject matter, knowing your audience and desired outcome after you leave the edit room is important for every filmmaker. Emily Verellen of The Fledgling Fund details the key components for creating a meaningful audience engagement campaign: distribution, outreach/ strategic communications and audience engagement. Download the PDF.

Most grant applications require information about your 501(c)3 organization, which in the case of fiscal sponsorship members is IDA. To make this easier for you, we've put together a helpful list of documents and information that funders frequently request. You can download our latest IRS 990, IRS determination letter, Annual Report or request a Letter of Support directly from the main fiscal sponsorship web page. Feel free to contact us with specific grant application questions - we're here to help!

Every once in a while we'll be highlighting one of the good questions we get here in the fiscal sponsorship department that we think might be useful for our project directors. If you've got one you would like to see addressed in a future newsletter, let us know.

Recently, one filmmaker asked: How do I know how much to ask for when applying for a grant?

Our standard advice on all things grant related is to go right to the source whenever possible. The person in charge of answering questions and managing submissions for grants at a foundation will usually have a title like "program officer" or "program associate". While program officers rarely make final funding decisions, they are usually the people in charge of translating the foundation's grant making goals to the public and shepherding projects through the review process. Program associates and officers may not have the final say on who gets funding, but they often write up first round notes on submissions, sit in on grant review panels, summarize reviewer comments and...Read more »