POSTED 08/11/10
Loreen Arbus Disability Awareness Grant
Through the generosity of Loreen Arbus, New York Women in Film and Television has established the Loreen Arbus Disability Awareness Grant. The film completion grant for $7,500 will be awarded to a disabled woman filmmaker or to a woman filmmaker for a film on disability issues.
Films may be of any length or genre. The Grant will be awarded for use towards the completion of a work-in-progress. Completed films or films that have not completed principle photography are not eligible. Filmmakers must be US-based.
DEADLINE: September 8, 2010
Guidelines:
To apply, filmmakers must provide a 2 - 4 page description of the project, a project budget indicating amount raised to date, a list of key creative personnel with one-paragraph bios, and a DVD, or a link to an upload of the work-in-progress. Applications must be received by September 8, 2010. Applicants may apply electronically or by sending or delivering DVDs and paperwork.
To Apply Electronically:
Email the project description, the bios and the budget as separate attachments to development@nywift.org. In the body of the email include a link to the work-in-progress url, and any user name or password information needed to access it.
OR
Mail or deliver the DVD of the work-in-progress, with copies of the bios, description and budget to:
New York Women in Film & Television
Loreen Arbus Disability Awareness Grant
6 East 39th Street 12th FL
New York, NY 10016
Applications must be RECEIVED by September 8, 2010. There will be no exceptions.
Questions? Contact Easmanie Michel at 212-679-0870 x 39, or email development@nywift.org
POSTED 08/11/10
ViewChange Online Film Contest DEADLINE August 31
Hello again from Link TV! $50,000 in prize money is still up for grabs and now’s your chance. Here at Link we've been working hard to spread the word about our ViewChange Online Film Contest: we're looking for five-minute films that tell stories of progress in reaching the UN Millennium Development Goals. The contest has been open since April, and we've already gotten some fantastic submissions. Don't worry, though - our submission window remains open until August 31st, so there's still plenty of time to submit a film of your own!
So, why submit? There are six film contest categories and any film accepted into the contest is eligible for up to $25,000 in cash prizes. All accepted films will be streamed on our film contest website, where they'll be watched and voted upon by viewers around the world. And all the finalists will be viewed by our distinguished panel of judges, including actors and film directors like Gael García Bernal, Danny Glover, and Wim Wenders, US Senator Daniel Inouye, and others. Finalists will also air on Link TV all over the country, and will be included our new ViewChange.org multimedia website. Not bad for a five minute film, right?POSTED 08/11/10
To support emerging and more established filmmakers in the early stages of a science or technology-themed (fiction) narrative screenplay, the Sundance Institute and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation provide an annual cash grant and creative support to a selected filmmaker.
The Sundance/Sloan Commissioning Grant provides support for a science- or technology-related narrative feature-length project that is at an early stage such as full treatment or early screenplay draft. Projects must have science or technology as a major theme or scientists as major characters.
Science fiction or projects that stray too far from basic scientific reality will not be considered. Projects must be narrative (fiction) features and not documentary in nature. Projects must be live action.
Projects must be in active development and can range from treatment stage to full draft.
Screenwriters with any level of experience including numerous produced works may apply. Projects must be English language; however, screenwriter does not need to reside in the U.S.
The grant includes an award of up to $20,000 to provide support during the writing period, a stipend of up to $5,000 for a science advisor, creative support during the writing process from a select group of creative advisors, the possibility of a fellowship to a Sundance Institute Feature Film Program's Screenwriters Lab, and strategic and practical support from the Sundance Feature Film Program staff.
Screenwriters Lab, and strategic and practical support from the Sundance Feature Film Program staff.
Guidelines and application are available at the Sundance Institute Web site.
http://www.sundance.org/sloan/
POSTED 07/15/10
CPB/PBS Diversity and Innovation Fund Request for Proposals: Weekly Primetime Series
This Request for Proposals, the first from the Diversity and Innovation Fund, is designed to solicit proposals to provide the NPS with a new, weekly, primetime series - content that will expand viewership and usage, reaching an adult audience on-air and online that reflects the diversity of the 40-64 year old US population. Specifically, the DI Fund seeks to:
- Diversify the NPS by attracting more racially and ethnically diverse viewers and Web visitors within the target demographic;
- Expand the current NPS audience through the increased use of content created by a diverse group of producers and through the effective use of new and emerging technologies;
- Leverage the talent and creativity of executive producers and producers from minority and underserved communities;
- Build capacity for the public media system from within those communities; and
- Encourage innovation in the planning, production and distribution of public media content.
The content should be conceived and budgeted with multiple-platform use (broadcast, VOD, Internet, mobile, DVD, etc.) in mind from the outset. As producers develop their proposals and ultimately their pilot programs, they should consider not only the traditional broadcast components but also the digital strategy which may include web presence, mobile applications, social media, inclusion in the Digital Learning Library and/or PBS Teachers, etc.
The RFP encourages proposals for a variety of popular genres, including science, history, travel, natural history and exploration. This RFP is *not* seeking children's, drama or news and public affairs content, as these subject areas are being addressed via other initiatives and/or existing properties. The RFP encourages proposals to include characteristics embodied by "The Explorer" archetype - a psychographic audience target aligned with core NPS values and validated by CPB audience research. (See detail on The Explorer archetype following the RFP.)
Sustainable costs are key to the success of any new or continuing series. We are asking applicants to submit proposals for a series of 10 episodes that can be produced for $375,000 per hour (or less) with attendant rights that allow for the efficient use of the content on all distribution platforms.
The intent is to "pilot" several projects. One or more will then be selected for series production.
To better reach the target audience, each television-centered, multi-platform project budget should include an appropriate level of funding for marketing across all platforms. Similarly, to maximize impact, each project budget should include an appropriate level of funding for meaningful and measurable engagement plans. Partnerships are encouraged. Producers should consider working closely with the National Center for Media Engagement (NCME) and public radio to develop and implement engagement plans.
The cost of promotion, outreach, station relations, new media deployment (exclusive of rights) and publicity do not have to be included in the $375,000/hour target, but should be factored into the overall project budget.
Planned Outcomes:
- An expanded pool of new and diverse content creators and editorial leaders;
- Content that reaches an audience that is measurably more diverse, while reaching a broad general audience target at or above PBS's primetime average.
- Distribution of content through existing and emerging public media infrastructure;
- Innovative use of technology to support content identification and selection;
- Increased use of low-cost production models; and
- Innovative use of digital media techniques and services that enhance the ability for content to be found via search, syndication and social networks.
Timeline
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 - this request for proposals issued
Monday, July 26, 2010 - PBS begins accepting proposals
Wednesday, September 15, 2010 - all proposals are to be received by PBS by 5:00 p.m. ET
Friday, October 15, 2010 - by this date, PBS in collaboration with CPB, will compile a short list of projects identified for further consideration (Proposals will be evaluated by PBS staff in consultation with CPB, and all producers will be notified as to the status of their submissions.)
Monday, October 18, 2010- Short list of projects identified for further consideration (the written proposals) will be made available online for comment from the public.
Monday, November 1 through Wednesday, November 24, 2010 - CPB and PBS will meet with short-list producers, give notes, request additional information, etc.
Monday, December 6, 2010 - PBS will alert finalists. Contracting for selected pilots begins. Pre-production/production to begin in winter
2010/2011
Pilots will be reviewed by PBS and CPB staff and online by the public, as well as through more formalized testing. Following these reviews, PBS will determine which, if any, of the pilots will be broadcast and/or move forward for full production funding.
Submission of Proposals
The DI Fund will only accept hard-copy (printed) submissions. Submissions will be accepted beginning Monday, July 26, 2010. Specify "DI Fund Submission" in the address. Please provide two (2) copies of each proposal.
All submissions must include a completed Submission Summary and Release form. http://www.pbs.org/producers/submission_release_form.pdf
Anticipated information includes:
1. Title;
2. Rationale for how the project addresses the objectives of the DI Fund and its appeal to the target audience; specific research or insights as to why this program will be successful in reaching the target audience; 3. Project description, including a description of all uses on a variety of platforms and (where appropriate) in classrooms via the PBS Digital Learning Library; 4. Key personnel and partnerships; 5. Marketing and engagement plans, including social media strategy; 6. Timeline, based on spring 2011 delivery date; and 7. Itemized budget, including rights costs for all proposed platforms.
Proposals should be directed to:
Steven Gray
Vice President,
Program Development and Editorial Management PBS - DI Fund Submission 2100 Crystal Drive Arlington, VA 22202POSTED 06/30/10
AllThingsMedia: 2010 will be the second-ever forum held exclusively for women-led entrepreneurial ventures in emerging media and entertainment - including television, radio, print, digital media, mobile, video games, search, social networking, e-commerce, online advertising, outdoor, animation, software and other innovations across the entire media space.
Springboard’s venture forums have presented some of the best commercial stage companies to the nation’s investment community, including ZipCar, Constant Contact, Blurb and wowOwow. These and the other 400 emerging growth companies that have presented at Springboard’s 20 venture forums since early 2000 have raised over $5 billion in equity, grants and strategic investments.
Which companies will be the next to make it big? Applications for Springboard’s AllThingsMedia: 2010 are now open.
For more information, please visit www.springboardenterprises.org/vcf/atm.
Over the years, Springboard has produced venture forum programs which have presented over 400 of the most promising early stage women-led companies to angel and venture investors. A roster of these companies is found on our website home page. The venture forum program is a 6 month program involving hundreds of individuals who participate to support and promote these companies in their search for capital. www.springboardenterprises.org/vcfPOSTED 04/08/10
Women in Film and Video of DC is proud to announce the launching of its launches Fiscal Sponsorship Program. The Fiscal Sponsorship program will provide limited financial and legal oversight for a film or media project initiated independently by a filmmaker. That project must be non-commercial in nature, i.e. not produced solely for financial gain. WIFV supports fiscally sponsored projects that are consistent with our IRS-approved charitable mission. We will consider applications from women and men whose media project meets one or both of the following criteria for fiscal sponsorship:
Film and media projects that feature women in key, above-the-line roles (specifically: producer, director, writer or director of photography);
-or-
Film and media projects whose subject matter informs and features women’s experiences or points of view.
We will have two award rounds per year, the spring 2010 application deadline is April 30th and the autumn is September 10. Members who are interested in applying for fiscal sponsorship can find the application and supporting materials on our website, www.wifv.org. As a sponsoring organization, WIFV will provide administrative support and oversight on financial contributions. We also bring the power of our programming and membership to the sponsored filmmaker by providing mentoring with accomplished members, workshops, technical information and insights into current industry trends.
Funding/Grant Information - Links
Cinereach’s ethos favors good storytelling over didacticism and complexity over duality. It supports films that demonstrate creativity, visual artistry and take a character-based approach. Grants range from $5,000 – $50,000 and are awarded to films at any stage, including development, production, post-production, audience building and distribution.