Film/Video Funding News – April 2014 from Women in the Arts & Media Coalition and WomenArts

Women in the Arts & Media Coalition

and WomenArts

Film/Video Funding News –
April 2014

Film Festivals/Calls For Entry
Ongoing Festivals/Calls for Entry
Funding Opportunities
Residencies
Other Resources

Film Festivals/Calls for Entry

International Freethought Film Festival (November 7-9, 2014, Atlanta, GA) – Seeks to promote reason, critical thinking, and freedom of inquiry through the medium of film. Seeking entries in the following categories: Student Shorts (under 30 minutes), Student Features (over 60 minutes), Non-Competitive Shorts (under 30 minutes), Non-Competitive Animated Shorts (under 30 minutes), Non-Competitive Features (over 60 minutes), Short Screenplay. Within each category, there can be: live action, animation, documentary, experimental and narrative. FEE: $15-$85. Freethought Film Festival, PO Box 4388, Orlando, FL 32802, T: (800) 821-1990, info@freethoughtfilmfest.org, www.freethoughtfilmfest.org. Deadline: May 3, 2014 (regular), July 1, 2014 (late), August 1, 2014 (extended, via withoutabox.com), August 15, 2014 (final)

**St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival** (October 14-18, 2014, St., John’s, NL, Canada) – Aims to support and encourage women filmmakers and increase the exposure of their works. Seeking films written, produced, and/or directed by women in the following categories: Drama (including Comedy), Documentary, Animation, and Experimental. FEE: $10-$50 CND. St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival, PO Box 984, Station C, St. John’s, NL A1C 5M3, Canada, T: (709) 689-0296, sarah@womensfilmfestival.com, http://www.womensfilmfestival.com. Deadline: April 15, 2014 (regular), May 20, 2014 (late), May 27, 2014 (extended, via withoutabox.com)

Unspoken Human Rights Film Festival (October 2-4, 2014, Utica, NY) – Seeking films that address human rights violations so they remain unspoken no longer for a human rights forum that combines film, art, music, and a conference into one festival. They are interested in films that expose human rights violations and that offer solutions and hope for the future. Seeking entries in the following categories: Documentary Feature (50 minutes or longer), Narrative Feature (50 minutes or longer), Documentary Short (under 50 minutes), and Narrative Short (under 50 minutes). FEE: $20-$55. Unspoken Human Rights Film Festival, 309 Genesee St. (use Park Ave. entrance), Utica, NY 13502, T: (315) 520-8410, info@ilionfilmcompany.com, www.IamUnspoken.com. Deadline: April 1, 2014 (early), May 1, 2014 (regular), June 1, 2014 (late), July 1, 2014 (extended, via withoutabox.com)

**Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival and Lecture Series** (October 25-26, 2014, New York, NY) – Organized by African Voices and Long Island University’s Media Arts Dept., Brooklyn Campus, the 3-day festival is dedicated to providing opportunities for women of color filmmakers to advance their careers in the film industry. Entries must be directed, produced, or written by a woman or women of color, and will be accepted in the following categories: Women Film, Documentary, Narrative, Experimental, African Film, and India Film.FEE: $20-$30. Reel Sisters, c/o African Voices, 270 W. 96th St., New York, NY 10025, T: (347) 534-3304, FAX: (212) 316-3335, coordinator@reelsisters.org, http://www.reelsisters.org.Deadline: April 30, 2014 (early), June 9, 2014 (regular), June 20, 2014 (late)

The Writers Place Screenplay Competition – Seeking scripts in all genres in the following categories: Full-length Screenplay (130 pages maximum), and Half Hour Short or Teleplay (45 pages maximum). Single or multiple authors welcomed. Multiple entries welcomed. NOTE: Electronic submissions only, through website. FEE: $35-$85. www.thewritersplace.org, www.thewritersplace.org/submission.php. Deadline: April 30, 2014 (regular), May 15, 2014 (late, with an extra fee of $10 per script)

**Bluestocking Film Series** (Spring, 2014, Portland, ME) – Seeking short films (30 minutes or shorter) that pass the Bechdel Test for Women in Movies (film must include 2 or more female characters with names who talk to each other about something other than a man). FEE: $20-45. Bluestocking Film Series, Gitgo Productions, 161 Fort Rd., South Portland, Maine 04106, http://bluestockingfilms.com/submityourfilm. Deadline: April 1, 2014 (regular), May 1, 2014 (late), May 21, 2014 (extended, via withoutabox.com)

Polari Film Festival (formerly Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival) (September 10-14, 2014, Austin, TX) – Cultivates the Texas LGBTQI community by enlightening, educating, and entertaining through programs that enrich the LGBTQI and ally communities while developing LGBTQI awareness. Seeking entries in the following categories: Narrative Feature (60 minutes or longer), Documentary Feature (60 minutes or longer), Experimental Feature (60 minutes or longer), Narrative Short (under 60 minutes), Documentary Short (under 60 minutes), Experimental Short (under 60 minutes), My Queer Movie (amateur films under 10 minutes), and Digital and Interactive Media Projects (multi-media, performance, and interactive projects). FEE: $10-$55. Polari Film Festival, 1634 E. Cesar Chavez, Austin, TX 78702, T: (512) 302-9889, film@polarifest.com, www.polarifest.com.Deadline: May 1, 2014 (early), June 1, 2014 (regular), June 15, 2014 (late), June 22, 2014 (extended, via withoutabox.com)

Fargo-Moorhead LGBT Film Festival (September 12-13, 2014, Moorhead, MN) – Seeks to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender lived experience through the vision of innovative film and video makers. They are especially interested in films and videos that encourage a sense of community. Seeking works with an LGBT focus in the following categories: Narrative Feature (over 40 minutes), Narrative Short (30 minutes or under), Documentary Feature (over 50 minutes), Documentary Short (50 minutes or under), Experimental (under 20 minutes), and Animation (any length). FEE: $15-$40. F-M LGBT Film Festival, c/o Rea, Film Studies, Minnesota State University Moorhead, 1104 7th Ave. South, Moorhead, MN 56563, T: (218) 477-4621, rea@mnstate.edu, http://www.fmlgbtff.com/. Deadline: May 1, 2014 (regular), June 1, 2014 (late), June 15, 2014 (extended, via withoutabox.com)

United Nations Association Film Festival (October 16-26, 2012, Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, San Francisco, and Stanford University, CA) – Celebrates the power of films dealing with human rights, environmental themes, population, migration, women’s issues, refugee protection, homelessness, racism, health, universal education, war and peace. UNAFF offers a unique opportunity to view documentaries that are rarely screened, to become familiar with global problems, and to acquire a better understanding of the means to address these problems. In addition to the festival’s ongoing celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, this year’s theme is “Bridging the Gap”. Seeking entries in the following categories: Documentary Feature and Documentary Short. FEE: $25-$45. UNAFF 2013, Stanford Universtity/CAW, 520 Galvez St.; CERAS, Room 114, Stanford, CA 94305-3084, T: (650) 724-5544, FAX: (650) 723-7578, info@unaff.org, http://www.unaff.org. Deadline: May 4, 2014 (early), May 24, 2014 (regular), June 4, 2014 (late)

Ongoing Festivals/Calls For Entry

**LunaFest Film Festival** (Ongoing, traveling) – National traveling festival of short films by, for, and about women. Seeking a diverse range of films which embody the unique, humorous, touching, and inspirational roles of women in our local, national, and international communities. All entries must be 20 minutes or shorter and are accepted in the following categories: Documentary, Drama, Fiction, Animation, Comedy, and Narrative. FEE: $0-$25. LunaFest Film Festival, 1451 66th St., Emeryville, CA 94608, T: (510) 596-6607, lunafest@clifbar.com, http://www.lunafest.org/. Deadline: March 1, 2014 (regular), April 15, 2014 (late)

*Opportunities in red are for selected populations.**Opportunities starred and in red are for women only.

Funding Opportunities

San Francisco Foundation Documentary Fund – Seeks to support films exploring timely and compelling social justice issues that have been historically underexposed, misinterpreted, or ignored with awards ranging from $10,000-$25,000. Awards support the early production phase of documentary projects by experienced filmmakers with an esteemed body of previously created work. Projects should align with the foundation’s programmatic goals and address issues relevant to one or more of the five Bay Area counties served by the foundation (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, or San Mateo). To be eligible, filmmakers must reside in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, or San Mateo counties. Only filmmakers with a proven track record of planning and finishing substantial film projects will be considered. Students may not apply. See website for complete guidelines and application. Bay Area Documentary Fund, c/o Kevin Seaman, The San Francisco Foundation, 225 Bush St., Ste. 500, San Francisco, CA 94104, Contact: Tere Romo, Arts and Culture Program Officer, T: (415) 733-8523, tromo@sff.org, http://www.sff.org/programs/core-program-areas/arts-and-culture/bay-area-documentary-fund/. Deadline: April 11, 2014

**Women in Film Finishing Fund** – Provides cash awards ranging from $1,000-$15,000, as well as in-kind services, for the completion of films by, for or about women. Open to short and long formats in all genres, including narrative, documentary, educational, animated and experimental. Principle photography and rough cut must be completed by time of application. Applications accepted from filmmakers around the world (men may apply, as long as their work is about or for women). Student projects ineligible. See website for complete guidelines and application. FEE: $50-$100 (depending on whether applicant is a WIF member and when she applies). Women In Film Foundation, Film Finishing Fund, Los Angeles Office, 6100 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 710, Los Angeles, CA 90048, T: (323) 935-2211, foundation@wif.org, http://www.wif.org/foundation/film-finishing-fund. Receipt Deadline: May 23, 2014 (early), June 6, 2014 (final)

The Roy W. Dean Video Grant – Funds Shorts, Documentaries, and Independent Features under $500,000. Funds films that are unique and make a contribution to society, that tell compelling stories about little known subjects. Seeking films that expose and bring important information to light through story. Projects with strong story-telling aspects are most likely to be awarded grants. Projects must be original, but may be of any length and may be works-in-progress. Independent filmmakers, student filmmakers, independent producers, and independent production companies may all submit. Winner receives over $18,000 worth of equipment, services, and consultations toward completing project; for a breakdown of products and services, see website. Submit a sample of previous work, along with a two-page project proposal describing the target audience for the film, plans for distribution, how the project is unique and how it benefits society, your relationship to the material, a synopsis, stylistic approach to the material, and a list of names and positions of proposed key production personnel. See website for complete guidelines and application form. FEE: $38/students $28. Carole Dean, From The Heart Productions, 1455 Mandalay Beach Rd., Oxnard, CA 93035-2845, (805) 984-0098, Caroleedean@att.net, http://fromtheheartproductions.com/how-to-apply-for-grants/. Deadline: April 30, 20134

National Museum of the American Indian Indigenous Contemporary Arts Program / Artist Leadership – Supporting wide range of arts activities with goal of increasing knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of contemporary Native American arts.  Awards of $6,000-$7,000 enable indigenous artists to research, document, network, and develop life skills to enhance artistic growth and strengthen career development. Two-part program includes visit to Washington, D.C., to conduct research and to receive professional training services, as well as an artist-facilitated community project to share knowledge learned from visit in one of two categories: youth public art or artist’s community workshop. Eligibility: Must be an indigenous artist of the Western Hemisphere who is recognized by the their community and can demonstrate significant artistic accomplishments; may work in any media (visual, media, performance arts, literature, etc.) Artist Leadership Program, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of the American Indian, Cultural Resources Center, Museum Programs Department, 4220 Silver Hill Road, Suitland, MD 20746-2863, T: (301) 238-1544, FAX: (301) 238-3200, ALP@si.edu, http://nmai.si.edu/connect/artist-leadership-program/. Receipt Deadline: May 5, 2014

**Leeway Transformation Award** – $15,000 unrestricted award for women and trans artists living in the Delaware Valley who create art and social change and have done so for the past five years or more. Open to artists working in any art form who respectfully engage communities and audiences in creating a vision of a more just world, raising consciousness, and challenging oppression and mainstream culture. Applicants must have lived for the past two or more years in Bucks, Camden, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia Counties, with the intention of remaining in the Delaware Valley throughout the award year (ending December 31, 2015); applicants must demonstrate financial need and a commitment to making art for social change. Artists may apply collaboratively if they meet the basic eligibility requirements, but each co-applicant must submit a separate artist information form. For full guidelines and application forms, contact the Foundation. Leeway Foundation, The Philadelphia Building, 1315 Walnut St., Suite 832, Philadelphia, PA 19107, T: (215) 545-4078, info@leeway.org, www.leeway.org. Receipt Deadline: May 15, 2014

Residencies

NOTE: Visit WomenArts' Residencies With Ongoing Deadlines page for more opportunities.

360 Xochi Quetzal Artist Residency (May, 2014-January, 2015, Chapala, Mexico) – Located on the shores of the largest lake in Mexico (45 minutes from Guadalajara), residencies of one month open to visual artists, musicians, and writers of all types. Residency provides housing, studio, food stipend, and wi-fi. Artist responsible for transportation to Guadalajara. Apply online (see website for application instructions). FEE: $36. Contact: Deborah Kruger, residency@deborahkruger.com, http://www.deborahkruger.com/1/art-residency.html/. Deadline: April 5, 2014

MacDowell Colony (Peterborough, New Hampshire) – Residencies of up to eight weeks (average stay is five weeks) providing artists with time and space to create lasting works of the imagination. Artists in the disciplines of Architecture, Film/Video Arts, Interdisciplinary Arts, Literature, Music Composition, Theatre, and Visual Arts encouraged to apply. Artists collaborating on a project must submit individual application forms and appropriate work samples, but may submit a joint description of the work they intend to do at the Colony. In addition, you may submit an example of a collaborative work (either completed or a work in progress); specify workspace needs (i.e. separate studios). Submit application form (available on website), work sample, project description, and two references. Note: Apply through website. FEE: $30. The Admissions Coordinator, The MacDowell Colony, 100 High St., Peterborough, NH 03458, T: (603) 924-3886 x113, admissions@macdowellcolony.org, www.macdowellcolony.org/apply.html. Receipt Deadline: April 15, 2014

Bogliasco Foundation (Winter-Spring, 2015, Bogliasco, Italy) – Residencies of an average of 32 days for qualified persons engaged in advanced creative work or scholarly research in archaeology, architecture, classics, dance, film/video, history, landscape architecture, literature, music, philosophy, theatre, and visual arts. Residency provides housing, meals, and studios; artist responsible for travel, materials, and any additional living expenses. NO FEE. Bogliasco Foundation, U.S. Office, 10 Rockefeller Plaza, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10020-1903, T: (212) 713-7628, FAX: (212) 489-0787, info@bfny.org, www.liguriastudycenter.org. Deadline: April 15, 2014

Sitka Center/Artist and Ecologist Residency Program (Fall 2014-Spring 2015, Otis, OR) – Residencies of up to 3 ½ months for visual artists, writers, naturalists, ecologists, environmental scientists, and musicians. Residency periods are either October-January or January-May. Residency provides living and studio space. Artist responsible for travel, food and materials. Artists encouraged to participate in community service activities. FEE: $15. Sitka Center for Art and Ecology, PO Box 65, Otis, OR 97368, T: (541) 994-5485, info@sitkacenter.org, http://www.sitkacenter.org/3-1.html. Deadline: April 18, 2014

Creative Arts Residencies at the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center (Bellagio, Italy) – 4-week residencies between March 10 and July 31, 2015. Open to composers, novelists, playwrights, poets, video/filmmakers and visual artists from around the globe, with the goal of bringing together people of diverse expertise and cultures in a thought-provoking creative environment. Spouses/life partners may accompany the resident, or may apply for a concurrent residency. The Center also offers collaborative residencies for two to four persons working on the same project. Residents will engage with each other over meals and informal presentations, and interact with the participants of international conferences hosted at the Center. Applicants must demonstrate a history of significant achievement in their discipline. Individuals from developing countries and young artists with significant accomplishments — exhibitions, publications, performances — are particularly encouraged to apply. Residency provides housing and studio/work space. Residents are responsible for travel, food, and materials. NOTE: Application must be completed online in English. Applicants from developing countries who have trouble accessing online forms may contact the office by phone or e-mail to discuss alternative ways to submit application. Hard copies of work samples should be sent to the program administrators in New York. NO FEE. Residency address: Bellagio Center, Villa Serbelloni, Bellagio (Lago di Como) 22021, Italy; Administrative address: Program Administrators, Institute of International Education (IIE), Bellagio Competition, 809 United Nations Plaza, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10017, T: (212) 984-5537, bellagio_res@iie.org, http://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/bellagio-center/residency-program/arts-literary-arts-residency/overview. Deadline: May 1, 2014

betterArts (Redwood, NY) – Provides an opportunity for creative exploration and growth to visual artists, writers, and musicians within the context of Better Farm, which offers a rural living experience. Facilities include a 2-story rustic Art Barn for dance, choreography, painting, sculpture, etc., practice space for musicians, shop space, an on-site pond, two lakes within walking distance, and vegetable, fruit, and herb gardens. Residency includes private bedroom, food, linens, wifi, parking, and field trips. Artists are expected to participate in farm activities for several hours a week, and must pay a residency stipend ($400 for 2 weeks, $550 for 3 weeks, $650 for 1 month). See website for complete application guidelines. NO FEE. betterArts, 31060 Cottage Hill Rd., Redwood, NY 13679, http://www.betterarts.org/#/residency-info/4547750760. Deadline: Rolling

Other Resources

NOTE: For more resources, visit WomenArts' Funding Resources pages.

WOMENARTS FUNDING LISTS - WomenArts maintains annotated lists of funders

categorized by art form in the Funding Resources section of our website at:

http://www.womenarts.org/funding-resources/fundlists/.

NYFA SOURCE - The New York Foundation for the Arts maintains the most

comprehensive national directory of awards, services and publications for

artists in the NYFA Source section of their website at:

http://www.nyfa.org/nyfa_source.asp?id=47&fid=1.

WITHOUTABOX - Film/Video artists can check Withoutabox at http://www.withoutabox.com for a more comprehensive list of general-interest

film festivals.

Follow this link to the Theatre Funding Newsletter
on the website of our member organization, the

League of Professional Theatre Women.

Follow this link to our affiliate member organization WomenArts 
who originally created the Film/Video and Theatre Funding Newsletters and
who list many ongoing Funding Opportunities.

Follow this link to Submit a Listing for the Funding Newsletters.