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Sundance Institute Documentary Fund grants are announced twice a year. Since its inception, the Fund has supported more than 500 films in 61 countries. A committee of human rights experts and film professionals make recommendations from projects submitted by filmmakers from around the world. The Fund reviews between 1,400 and 2,000 proposals annually, choosing 35-50 for support each year. In funding such work, the Documentary Fund encourages the diverse exchange of ideas that is crucial to fostering an open society and public dialogue about contemporary issues.
The Documentary Fund provides grants to filmmakers worldwide for projects that display:
- Artful and innovative storytelling techniques
- Global relevance
- Contemporary social issues
- Potential for social engagement
Funding Categories
Applications are accepted in two funding categories:
- Development funding is provided to projects that are between development and preproduction. Grant amounts for this category are up to $20,000. There is no reel required with an application, but clips, teasers, trailers, or images are highly encouraged. A previous work sample is required.
- Production/Post-production grants provide funds up to $50,000 to filmmakers in various stages of the production and post-production process. Applications are required to include continuously edited material that is approximately 20 to 75 minutes for the project being proposed. The reel should convey the narrative and aesthetic visual for the final film. If available for consideration, longer cuts and fine cuts may be submitted. A previous sample work must also be included with the application.
If you have already received a grant from the Documentary Fund, there is an additional category for which you can apply for the same project. Audience Engagement grants support innovative outreach and engagement campaigns and cutting-edge multiplatform engagement strategies.
Apply
The Sundance Institute Documentary Fund application is now open for the spring 2012 cycle. Applications are being accepted now through February 9th, 2012, with decisions anticipated in early June.
After reviewing the materials on the links below, you may contact dfp@sundance.org with any outstanding questions.
Established in 1992, The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the promotion of cultural and racial tolerance and understanding through the exhibition of film, art and creative expression.
It is PAFF's goal to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes. We believe film and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication between peoples of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles, while at the same time, serve as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our times.
The festival takes place at Rave Cinemas Baldwin Hills 15 (formerly the AMC Magic Johnson Crenshaw 15) at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. The theatre is situated on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard between Marlton Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard)
The Center for Social Media at American University is hosting Media That Matters 2012, a conference that brings together professionals, artists and students interested in making an impact through media.
This year's theme, "Change for Good," features conversations about how independent social change filmmakers can execute integrated campaigns that are strategic, action-oriented, and have enduring impact.
The conference begins on Friday, February 10, 2012 at 5pm with an opening keynote address from Meredith Blake, distinguished attorney, social entrepreneur, and Founder and CEO of Cause & Affect—a strategy consulting and management firm in the business of high-impact social change.
With workshops on Fair Use, a Designing for Impact clinic, short film screenings, advice on strategy for media creation, and various chances to network, who would want to miss such an event?
Sign up for Media the Matters today! Registration closes at 5:00pm EST on Wednesday, February 8.
A year-long program designed to nurture emerging producers with project-specific support through Labs, grants, and long-term advisor relationships.
The Sundance Creative Producing Fellowship was conceived to develop and support the next generation of American independent producers. For over 30 years, Sundance Institute has offered in-depth year-round programs for feature screenwriters and directors. In an increasingly competitive and complex marketplace, the health and excellence of the independent film movement hinges on sophisticated creative and strategic producers with whom these directors and writers can collaborate.
The Fellowship focuses on the holistic producer, who identifies, options, develops, and pitches material; champions and challenges the writer/director creatively; raises financing; leads the casting/packaging process; hires and inspires crew; and navigates the sales, distribution, and marketing arenas. The Program is designed to hone emerging producers’ creative instincts and evolve their communicating and problem-solving skills at all stages of realizing a project.
Five producers will be selected for a one-year fellowship, with Fellows supported to participate in the following:
- Feature Film Creative Producing Lab
- Creative Producing Summit
- Sundance Film Festival attendance (screenings, curated meetings, and networking opportunities)
- $5,000 living stipend
- $5,000 pre-production grant
- Year-round mentorship from two industry Advisors
- Community building among Producing Fellows
- Year-round support from Sundance Institute staff
Fellows will attend a five-day lab focused on creatively strengthening their projects from script to screen. Through a series of one-on-one sessions with Advisors, as well as group sessions, Fellows will explore their own creative take on the project and develop skills and a process for evaluating, developing, and implementing their material to reflect these ideas. Scripts will be discussed alongside issues, such as creative imperatives, marketplace valuation, and production challenges. Case studies will be used to explore creative issues in preproduction, production, and editing processes, while techniques in communicating with writer/directors and potential production partners will also be addressed.
Eligibility
- Candidates must have produced at least one short or feature-length narrative or documentary film (no more than two narrative features total).
- Candidates must have a completed, legally-optioned, scripted narrative project in hand with a director attached to the project.
- Candidates may not be the writer or director of submitted project.
- Candidates must live in the United States, though the project may be filmed internationally
Giving Back to Sundance Institute
Sundance Institute is a nonprofit organization funded by foundations, corporations, film industry sources, individuals, government agencies, and earned income such as ticket sales at the Film Festival. The Institute was founded by Robert Redford as a way to give back and support other film and theatre artists by providing them with an opportunity to develop their projects and skills. Should you be selected to participate in the Creative Producing Fellowship, you will be asked to continue the spirit of giving back. Since securing funding for the Institute's programs is a consistent challenge, we request that Lab Alumni whose projects are produced contribute to the Institute's work to support new generations of emerging filmmakers. Projects supported by the Creative Producing Fellowship are asked to contribute 0.25% of their production budget calculated after the first $1 million (e.g. if your film is produced for $1.2 million, the fee due to the Institute would be $500). Additionally, Lab Alumni are asked to recognize the Fellowship with the credit, "Developed with the assistance of the Sundance Institute Feature Film Creative Producing Fellowship." Any revenue that is designated to Sundance Institute is allocated to the Feature Film Program and is used on an annual basis to provide critical support for the Labs. Your ability to give back really makes a difference.
Timelines
The timelines for the 2012 Creative Producing Fellowship are as follows:
November 14, 2011 - Application available online.
February 10, 2012 - Online application deadline and hard copy of materials postmark deadline.
March 9, 2012 - Notification of second round selections
June 14, 2012 - Notification of final selections
July 2, 2012 - Start of 2012 Fellowship
July 30-August 3, 2012 - Creative Producing Lab (Sundance Resort, Utah)
August 3-5, 2012 - Creative Producing Summit (Sundance Resort, Utah)
January 17-27, 2013 - Sundance Film Festival (Park City, Utah)
June 29, 2013 - End of 2012 Fellowship
The 35th Anniversary International Wildlife Film Festival Call for Entries is now open, along with highlights of the upcoming IWFF, one of the most important wildlife, film and conservation events of 2012. For the 35th IWFF, May 5-12, the theme is Challenge, Choice & Promise – Wildlife Film and Conservation in the 21st Century with the one-day Tarkio Retreat and special focus: Wild Cat Conservation: A Blueprint for Conservation Worldwide
The IWFF Call for Entries: October 2011 through January 31, 2012.
Late Deadline: February 10th, 2012.
We invite you to enter your film(s) and join us for what promises to be an unforgettable week of award-winning films, dynamic speakers and wildlife and marine leaders, working on the frontlines of conservation and media.
The Tarkio Retreat---Forging New Partnerships in Media & Conservation will be held on Wednesday, May 9th at one of the most beautiful, wild and secluded locations in Montana, on Salmon Lake just 30 minutes from Missoula.
From Lifetime Achievement Award Winners Dr. Sylvia Earle for Marine Conservation and Dr. Richard Leakey for Wildlife Conservation, to Panthera Founder, Tom Kaplan receiving the IWFF Hero of the Year Award; and, just announced, the IWFF Lifetime Achievement Award for Media to Fred Kaufman, Executive Producer of “Nature,” celebrating its 30th year on television in 2012.
Please join us as we bring together filmmakers, scientists, conservation leaders and front-line organizations, broadcasters and producers, to celebrate the very best in wildlife film and conservation through seminars, roundtables, technology, writing and distribution workshops, field trips and nightly social events and parties. Our goal is to bring focus and impact to the work that you do and to ensure that your films and media programming, field conservation efforts, science and education, have an impact on the fate and future of our planet and species around the world.
The IWFF Mission: To promote awareness, knowledge and understanding of wildlife, habitat, people and nature through excellence in film, television and other media.
To enter your film or learn more about IWFF and participation as a panel member, final judge, sponsor or presenter, please click on the Call for Entries/Festival Highlights Packet here.
