WAM Coalition and WomenArts

Film/Video Funding News – July 2013

Please Note: This month’s Film Funding Newsletter was prepared by Shellen Lubin and Zija Lubin-West of the Women in Arts & Media/WAM Coalition. For more information about the WAM Coalition, please visit www.wamcoalition.org.

Film Festivals/Calls For Entry
**Vancouver Women in Film Festival** (March 6-9, 2014, Vancouver, BC, Canada) – Seeking Documentary, Narrative, Animated, and Experimental films in any genre by established and emerging women filmmakers from around the world in the following categories: Short (under 20 minutes), Mid-Length (20-75 minutes), and Feature (over 75 minutes). Submitted films must have women in at least 3 of the key creative roles: writer, producer, director, cinematographer, editor, composer, or lead performer. Film must have been created after March 2011. FEE: $15-$50 CAD. Vancouver Women in Film Festival, #306 – 207 West Hastings St., Vancouver, BC V6B 1H7, Canada, T: (604) 685-1152, FAX: (604) 685-1124, filmfestival@womeninfilm.ca, www.womeninfilm.ca. Deadline: August 15, 2013 (early), September 15, 2012 (regular), October 15, 2013 (late)
**Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival** (TBA Early 2014, Los Angeles, CA) – Aims to increase opportunities for women filmmakers of diverse backgrounds to share their stories. Seeking entries written and directed by women (films written and directed by men will be considered if they have strong leading women characters) in the following categories: Dramatic, Documentary, Short, Student, and Animation. FEE: $40-$75. Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival, Alliance of Women Filmmakers, 1317 N. San Fernando Blvd. #340, Burbank, CA 91504, T: (818) 749-6162, dmeans25@yahoo.com,www.lawomensfest.com/. Applications opened July 1, 2013
**Brooklyn Girl Festival** (March 27-29, 2014, Brooklyn, NY) – Seeks to empower women and their unique and relevant interpretation of the world around them and strengthen the community of women filmmakers. $1.00 from each submission fee will go to the Reel GRRLS scholarship fund, a non-profit organization based in Seattle, WA that offers high school girls the opportunity to learn filmmaking and make their own movies. Submitted films must have a woman in the role of director, writer, producer, director of photography, or lead animator. Seeking entries in the following categories: Dramatic Feature (over 60 minutes), Comedy Feature (over 60 minutes), Documentary Feature (over 60 minutes), Dramatic Short (under 50 minutes), Comedy Short (under 50 minutes), Documentary Short (under 50 minutes), and Experimental or Animated Short (under 50 minutes; includes music videos).. FEE: $20-$70. Brooklyn Girl Festival, 227 East 7th St., 7L, Brooklyn, NY 11218, brooklyngirlff@gmail.com,www.brooklyngirlfilmfest.com. Deadline: August 3, 2013 (early), December 78, 2013 (regular), January 4, 2014 (late), January 11, 2014 (extended, via withoutabox.com)
Santa Barbara International Film Festival (January 30-February 9, 2014, Santa Barbara, CA) – Seeking entries in the following categories: Feature Fiction (40+ minutes, Narrative Fiction film), Feature Documentary (40+ minutes, Non-Narrative Non-Fiction film), Feature Animation (40+ minutes, Animated Feature film), Short Fiction (under 40 minutes), Short Documentary (under 40 minutes), Short Animation (under 40 minutes), Feature Local (40+ minutes, must live or be a student in the Santa Barbara County, email: programming@sbfilmfestival.org to inform them your film is a local submission), Short Local (under 40 minutes, must live or be a student in the Santa Barbara County, email: programming@sbfilmfestival.org to inform them your film is a local submission).  Check the website for further information. FEE: $30-$95 ($5 discount with “Premium” Withoutabox account). Santa Barbara International Film Festival, 1528 Chapala Street, Suite 203, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. generalinfo@sbfilmfestival.org, sbiff.org.  Deadline: August 9, 2013 (Early), September 20, 2013 (Regular), November 8, 2013 (Late), December 13, 2013 (Drop).
New Jersey Film Festival (September 5-October 13, 2013, New Brunswick, NJ) – Seeking films made within the last 2 years, Seeking entries in the following categories: Feature (50+ minutes), Documentary (Non-Fiction work. No corporate industrials!), Short (up to 20 minutes), Experimental, Music Video, Student (College or younger), Animation. FEE: $45-$75. 2013 New Jersey Film Festival, Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center, Rutgers University Program in Cinema Studies, 72 Lipman Drive – 018 Loree Hall/Douglass, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. NJMAC@aol.com, njfilmfest.com.  Deadline: July 15, 2013
**The Palm Springs Gay and Lesbian Film Festival** (September 19-22, 2013, Palm Springs, CA) – Seeking films of any kind that are of interest to the LGBT community.
Seeking entries in the following categories: Feature (60+ minutes) and Short (under 30 minutes) – Narrative, Documentary, Experimental, Animated. FEE: $20-$40. 555 East San Lorenzo Road, Palm Springs, CA 92264. michaelcgreen@earthlink.net, cinemadiverse.org. Deadline: July 15, 2013 (Regular), August 5, 2013 (Late), August 10, 2013 (WAB extended)
Korean American Film Festival New York (October 24-26, 2013, Brooklyn, NY) – Seeking films of any kind that are by Korean American, Korean, and Non-Korean that are of interest to the local community. Seeking entries in the following categories: Short (maximum of 45 minutes), Short Competition (maximum of 45 minutes, completed after January 1, 2012), Feature (45+ minutes, completed after January 1, 2012), Video Art (any runtime). FEE: $10-$35. 55 Hope Street, Suite 218, Brooklyn, NY 11211. programming@kaffny.com, kaffny.com.  Deadline: July 15, 2013 (Late)
**Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival** (October 4-12, 2013, Tampa, FL) – Seeking films of any kind that are by, for, or about the LGBT community. Seeking entries in the following categories: Feature (60+ minutes, narrative or non-narrative, may be animated or live action), Documentary (Non-Fiction of any length, highlighting experiences of the global LGBT community), Men’s Short (under 60 minutes, any genre), Women’s Short (under 60 minutes, any genre), Transgender Films. FEE: $10-$45. 1315 East 7th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605. david@tiglff.com, tiglff.com.  Deadline: July 15, 2013 (Late), July 31, 2013 (WAB Extended)
Ongoing Festivals/Calls For Entry
For more opportunities, visit our Ongoing Calls For Films page.
Ford Foundation Freedom of Expression Just Films Initiative – Supports documentary projects that address urgent social issues and help us understand our past, explore our present and build our future, with the goal of expanding the community of emerging and established filmmakers by helping them realize their visions and reach audiences. JustFilms focuses on film, video and digital works that show courageous people confronting difficult issues and actively pursuing a more just, secure and sustainable world. Initiative funds will be distributed through three distinct paths: partnerships with major organizations such as the Sundance Institute and ITVS; collaboration with other Ford Foundation grant-making programs where the introduction of documentary film could help draw attention to an issue or advance a movement, and an ongoing open application process. Open application process begins with submission of a grant inquiry through website. See website for complete application guidelines. Ford Foundation, 320 East 43rd St., New York, NY 10017, T: (212) 573-5000, FAX: (212) 351-3677,http://www.fordfoundation.org/issues/freedom-of-expression/justfilms/for-grant-seekers.
Funding Opportunities
Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) Documentary Fund – Funds independent producers for documentary projects intended for public television broadcast. Projects must conform to standard public broadcasting lengths. This round of funding is for projects at the post-production stage. Awards average $20,000 and should be the last monies needed to finish the project and deliver the broadcast master. Projects must have a key personnel member with prior public television credit. A full-length rough cut is required for application. See website for complete guidelines and to apply online. CAAM, 145 Ninth St., Ste. 350, San Francisco, CA 94103-2641, T: (415) 863-0814, FAX: (415) 863-7428, info@caamedia.org, caamedia.org/filmmaker-support/funding Receipt Deadline: July 5, 2012
Djerassi/SFFS Screenwriting Fellowship (TBA, Woodside, CA) – One-month residency at the Djerassi Resident Artists Program for an emerging or established screenwriter. Open to US and international screenwriters. Housing, studio space, and meals provided; artist responsible for travel expenses and writing supplies. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and must write in English. Priority will be given to projects that are vibrant, intelligent, moving and innovative. Submit a letter of inquiry on the SFFS website; finalists will be announced in August and asked to submit a full application. Currently the dates of the Fellowship are not on the website, but they are accepting applications. FEE: $35; waived for SFFS members. SFFS/Djerassi Screenwriting Fellowship, c/o San Francisco Film Society, 39 Mesa St., Ste. 110, San Francisco, CA 94129,http://www.sffs.org/filmmaker360/Grants/djerassisffs-screenwriting-fellowship.aspx.Deadline (early): July 9, 2013
Lynn and Jules Kroll Fund for Jewish Documentary Film – Provides post-production support for original documentaries that explore the Jewish experience. Priority goes to projects that address significant subjects, offer fresh and challenging perspectives, engage audiences across cultural lines, and expand understanding of Jewish experiences. Director or producer must be a US citizen or permanent resident. Films must be in the post-production stage. Grants generally range from $15,000-$35,000. Applications must be submitted through online system; see website for instructions. Foundation for Jewish Culture, 330 7th Ave., 21st Floor, New York, NY 10001, T: (212) 629-0500, FAX: (212) 629-0508, Contact: grants@jewishculture.org,http://www.jewishculture.org/film.Receipt Deadline: July 16, 2013
Alliance for California Traditional Arts Grant Programs – Three programs to support folk and traditional arts, defined as art forms that are learned as part of the cultural life of a group of people whose members share a common heritage, language, religion, occupation, or region:
Apprenticeship Program – Encourages the continuation of the state’s traditional arts and cultures by contracting master artists to offer intensive, one-on-one training to qualified apprentices. A master artist is someone who is recognized as an exemplary practitioner of a traditional art form by his or her community and peers. Prospective apprentices should demonstrate investment and developed skill in the specific art form they wish to continue learning. Master artist and apprentice must apply together. Each $3,000 contract will support a 6-12-month period of concentrated learning. Contact: Russell Rodriguez, Program Manager, T: (415) 269-0026, rrodriguez@actaonline.org,http://www.actaonline.org/content/apprenticeship-program.Postmark Deadline: July 15, 2015
Living Cultures Grants Program – Funds nonprofit organizations and organizations working with fiscal sponsors to support exemplary projects in the traditional arts in California. Eligible projects include public presentations; workshops and gatherings; equipment and materials purchases; conservation, creation or acquisition of traditional arts items; intergenerational classes or educational programs within a community; documentation of traditional arts, skills, ceremonies, beliefs, or performances; media, web, and print publications; professional and leadership development; and endangered language acquisition projects when carried out within the context of traditional art forms. Preference will be given to organizations with budgets under $1 million. Awards are generally limited to $5,000; a small number of grants of up to $7,500 may be awarded to projects that demonstrate significant impact on a particular cultural tradition. Contact: Lily Kharrazi, Program Manager, T: (415) 346-5200, lilyk@actaonline.org,http://www.actaonline.org/content/living-cultures-grants-program.Postmark Deadline: July 15, 2013
Traditional Arts Development Program – Contracts of up to $1,500 to support consultancies, mentorships, and travel opportunities that foster a new level of growth for individual folk and traditional artists and organizations engaged in the field in California. Individuals and organizations may apply. NOTE: Currently, they only have funding available for this program in the San Francisco and Alameda Counties. Contact: Amy Lawrence, Operations Manager, T: (559) 237-9812, alawrence@actaonline.org,http://www.actaonline.org/content/traditional-arts-development-program. Deadline: Rolling (allow 30 days for application review)
See website for complete guidelines and application instructions. Alliance for California Traditional Arts, The Presidio, PO Box 29096, San Francisco, CA 94129, T: (415) 346-5200,http://www.actaonline.org/.
Jerome Foundation Production Grants for Individual Film and Video Artists – Funds New York and Minnesota film and video artists working in the genres of experimental, narrative, animation, and documentary production. Applicants must be residents of New York or Minnesota. Supports production and post-production; not pre-production. See website for complete application guidelines and instructions. Jerome Foundation, 400 Sibley St., Ste. 125, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101-1928, T: (651) 224-9431, FAX: (651) 224-3439, info@jeromefdn.org,http://jeromefdn.org/news/201205/2012-minnesota-film-and-video-grant-program. Deadline for Minnesota: July 19, 2013  Deadline for New York: Ongoing
NEA Art Works Grants – Supports the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and the strengthening of communities through the arts with grants from $10,000-$100,000 to organizations. Open to Arts Education projects that have lifelong learning in the arts as their primary outcome. Innovative projects are strongly encouraged. This deadline is specifically for school-based projects that are directly connected to the school curriculum and instructional program. Activities may take place in or outside the school building at any time of day, including after-school and summer programs. Application must be submitted through the NEA website; allow ample time to prepare the application and deal with technical difficulties that frequently arise on the site. See website for complete guidelines. National Endowment for the Arts, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20506,http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/Artsed.html. Deadline: August 8, 2013
**Open Meadows Foundation Grants** – Funding to individuals and to nonprofit organizations for projects that are led by and benefit women. Grants of up to $2,000 support projects that are designed and implemented by women and girls; reflect diversity of community served by project in both its leadership and organization; promote building community power; promote racial, social, economic, and environmental justice; and have limited financial access or have encountered obstacles in search for funding. In addition to general grants, Open Meadows has 6 special targeted funds: the Jeanne Meurer Indigenous Women’s Fund; the Ellen Dougherty Activist Fund for Young Women; the Edie Windsor Fund for Old Lesbians; the India Fund; the Patsy Lu Fund for Women’s Music Projects; and the Susan F. Eastman Fund for Environmental Activists. Organizational budget should not exceed $150,000; small and start-up organizations strongly encouraged to apply. Open Meadows Foundation, PO Box 1363, Bronx, NY 10475, T: (718) 885-0969, openmeadows@igc.org,www.openmeadows.org. Receipt Deadline: August 15, 2013
**Chicken & Egg Pictures** – Funding to support women nonfiction filmmakers whose diverse voices and dynamic storytelling have the power to catalyze change at home and around the globe. The average grant awarded this year will be between $10,000 and $15,000. APPLICATION FEE: $35. Chicken & Eggs Pictures, Union Square East, New York, NY 10003, T: (212) 875-0456, openmeadows@igc.org, www.chickeneggspics.org. Receipt Deadline: July 15, 2013
Residencies
NOTE: Visit our Residencies With Ongoing Deadlines page for more opportunities.
Yaddo (year-round, Saratoga Springs, NY) – Residencies of an average of 5 weeks for writers, media artists, visual artists and performing artists working at the professional level in their fields. Facilities include dance/choreography studios, exhibition/installation spaces, metal shop, music studio, and performing arts space. Residency provides housing, meals, studio, travel assistance, and materials stipend. Artists responsible for additional materials or travel costs.FEE: $35-$40. Yaddo, P.O. Box 395, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, T: (518) 584-0746, FAX: (518) 584-1312, yaddo@yaddo.org, www.yaddo.org.Deadline: August 1, 2013
Other Resources
USA Projects – Crowdfunding platform open to artists who have received a grant or award from a distinguished arts organization (see website for a list of qualifying organizations and artist eligibility requirements and application). Projects are based on an “all or nothing” model in which artist sets a minimum fundraising goal and a deadline by which to raise the funds. If artist meets or exceeds goal, she/he receives all the donations; if not, donors are not charged and artist does not receive funds. USA Projects has a 75% success rate (compared to 45% on similar platforms), and raises matching funds so that each project receives a direct contribution of an average of 16% from USA Projects. Artist receives 81% of every dollar pledged, with 3% going toward credit card and bank processing fees, and the rest going toward USA Projects for administration and reinvestment in projects. All donations made through USA Projects are tax-deductible. USA Projects provides each artist with a personal coach for support and guidance through the fundraising process. See website to set up an artist profile page and find out if you are eligible. Contact: Kris Kuramitsu, T: (323) 857-5857, krisk@unitedstatesartists.org,www.unitedstatesartists.org.