Press Release from Film Contact: Developing Films within the Film Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Developing films within the Film Community

Filmcontact.com has just announced the launch of Film Projects, an innovative way to develop films by harnessing the collective talents of professional filmmakers to move projects forward as a community.

read the full press release at www.filmcontact.com/south-africa/developing-films-within-film-community

Lilian Baksalevowicz, the founder of FilmContact.com, says that this fresh concept is based on the trend of crowd sourcing and aims to get the film industry involved to offer their services at a discounted rate that will take new projects to the level where completion finance can be attained from traditional channels.

Filmmakers can add their film project to the system and specify the crew, equipment and services they need. In turn members can show their interest to the project with their offer of a special deal.

Another source of income is product placement, where the project creator can specify which products in the film can be branded. For example, if a scene requires a hotel, establishments in the area of the shoot can invest in turn for brand exposure. “The embedded advertising possibilities are endless,” says Lilian. “The project creator just has to look through their script and every product can be bartered for fees or a film credit.”

To view new projects, continue to www.filmcontact.com/projects

This original concept fulfills the need to keep production levels stable in a slowing economy and at the same time bring new projects to the forefront with the professional support from the industry.

“FilmContact.com has been the industry source for news and jobs for over eight years and we have the largest database of professional South African filmmakers to pull the resources together,” says Lilian. “We intend to promote the system on an international scale. We are most excited by the industry’s response in the last couple of days and look forward to bringing this collaboration as an innovative way to make films.”

To add a new project, just login to www.filmcontact.com and ‘Add my Project’ for immediate exposure and awareness to the industry.

Haraka! a contest for fictional short film projects made by african film makers under 40 years old, Application Deadline: 15 October 2012

CFI Press Release:

Haraka!*

Supporting new talents in short African films

For 23 years, Canal France International (CFI) has supported media development and modernisation in southern countries. In Africa, in addition to its historical role with TV channels, CFI takes part in the structuring and reinforcement of the programme industry through a strategy of increased support: purchasing and pre-purchasing of rights, distribution of over 250 hours´ worth of programmes produced in Africa to state and commercial TV channels across the continent and technical and artistic training programmes aimed at production teams.

Haraka! mobilizes the energy of a new generation of directors. In this context, CFI is now launching Haraka!  a contest for fictional short film projects, with the aim of mobilizing the energies of a new generation of directors who are determined to film at all costs. By providing the means to young directors under 35 years old (associate producer must be under 40 years old)  within sub-Saharan Africa, who have already acquired the basics of the job, to enhance their experience, CFI hopes to spot new talents and contribute to the injection of more dynamism to the sector.

Haraka! would like to be an alternative to the classic support mechanisms for production implemented by sponsors from the North, on which the procedures and time limits often slow down the momentum of the creators they intend to help. Between the frantic pace of Nollywood and the never-ending wait for windows and subsidies, there is room for a new approach adapted to the economy and dynamics of Africa, in which digital technology, small budgets, swift execution and individual energy is combined.

That´s the gamble for Haraka! Quick!

12 short films on the theme of life in Africa today

Haraka! takes into account fiction film projects of between 5 and 15 minutes and of which the screenplay is inspired by the theme Living in Africa today. In total, 12 projects will be selected in 2012 and CFI will allocate an even sum of 10,000 euros. In order to facilitate a wide circulation of the selected works , the short films will be broadcast on African television channels. The selection jury will be made up of audiovisual professionals. The candidates must send their application file before the 15th October 2012.

The terms of registration to the competition can be downloaded from the website http://www.cfi.fr

Download the registration form and eligibility criteria here: Haraka_term_registration

About Canal France International (CFI)

As a subsidiary of France Télévisions funded by the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, CFI has acted for the past 20 years as the French operator in media development aid for 150 partners in Africa, Arab world, Balkans, Caucasus, Asia. Its method: to mobilize the best expertise and know-how from professionals in the French media to the service of media modernization of these Countries, through initiatives of advice and training, audits and studies

http://www.cfi.fr

Contact: CFI–Pierre Jalladeau / 00 33 1 40 62 32 52 / pju@cfi.fr

The Global Film Initiative Announces Summer 2012 Feature Film Production Grants: Application Deadline 16 July 2012

The Global Film Initiative Announces Feature Film Production Grants on their website. Fortunately, Nigeria and many other African countries are eligible for the grant.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS SUMMER 2012 FEATURE FILM PRODUCTION GRANTS APPLICATION DEADLINE: JULY 16, 2012

In its continuing effort to promote original storytelling by individuals from around the world, the Global Film Initiative is pleased to announce a Call for Applications for the Summer 2012 cycle of its narrative feature film production grants program. Applications are accepted for feature-length, narrative film projects in all stages of production by directors from eligible nations of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Oceania. Applications may be submitted from May 15, 2012 through July 16, 2012, and granting decisions are announced in October 2012.* APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 16, 2012 *For Applications, Eligibility Requirements and Granting Guidelines, please visit: http://www.globalfilm.org/granting.htm

*****

About the Granting Program The Global Film Initiative’s Granting Program awards fifteen to twenty grants per year, of up to $10,000 each, to filmmakers whose work exhibits artistic excellence, authentic self-representation and accomplished storytelling. Funds received from grants are used to support completion of film production and to subsidize post-production costs such as laboratory and sound mixing fees, and access to advanced editing systems. Since the Initiative’s founding in 2002, the Granting Program has awarded 122 grants to filmmakers worldwide. Grant recipients include:

• BEATRIZ’S WAR (A GUERRA DA BEATRIZ), dir. Bety Reis, East Timor  First locally produced and directed narrative feature film from East Timor. GFI grant awarded in 2011.
• THE MIRROR NEVER LIES, dir. Kamila Andini, Indonesia Awarded the FIPRESCI Prize at the 2012 Hong Kong International Film Festival. GFI honorable mention awarded in 2011.
• MISS LOVELY, dir. Ashim Ahluwalia, India Official Selection of the 2012 Cannes Film Festival (Un Certain Regard). GFI grant awarded in 2010.
• LA RUTA DE LA LUNA, dir. Juan Sebastián Jácome, Panama World Premiere at the 2012 International Film Festival Panama. GFI honorable mention awarded in 2011.

For more information about the Granting Program, please visit: http://www.globalfilm.org/programs.htm

Questions about our Granting Program? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)page.

Grant Guidelines:

GUIDELINES FOR FEATURE FILM PRODUCTION GRANT SUMMER 2012 GRANTING CYCLE

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED: MAY 15, 2012 – JULY 16, 2012  APPLICATION DEADLINE: JULY 16, 2012

Definition of Grants Pre-Sale Option Application Instructions Eligibility Requirements Materials to be Submitted With Application Timeline of the Global Film Initiative Granting Cycles Mailing Address

Definition of Grants:

• The Global Film Initiative awards up to ten (10) Production and/or Honorable Mention grants per funding cycle (Winter and Summer).
• Grants are awarded to film projects in pre-production, production and post-production
• Each Production Grant is in the amount of USD $10,000 with a pre-sale option.
• Each Honorable Mention award is in the amount of USD $1,000.
• Grants are not awarded to documentary and short film projects.

Pre-Sale Option:

• Each applicant may request to be considered for a pre-sale option for U.S. and Canadian distribution.
• Applicants who elect the pre-sale option may be offered a distribution contract for all U.S. and Canadian distribution rights if awarded a grant; the finished film will be included in the Initiative’s Global Lens film series for distribution.

Application Instructions

1. Determine project eligibility
2. If project is eligible, complete and send two (2) copies of application form with two (2) copies of all supporting materials to The Global Film Initiative before application deadline (projects submitted without required application and supporting materials will not be accepted)
3. All applications must be postmarked by the deadline, and received within five (5) business days of the deadline. The Global Film Initiative will confirm via email receipt of all projects received, but will not track shipments of individual projects.

Announcement of grant awards will be made in October 2012. For a timeline of the Global Film Initiative granting cycles, please click here.
Eligibility Requirements In order to be considered for a Global Film Initiative grant, a project must meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined below:

• Application is for narrative, feature-length film project from DAC nation (more than 65 min.; no documentary or short films accepted)
• Project is in pre-production, production or post-production stage (no projects in development accepted)
• Production occurs in same nation of application (DAC nation)
• Director was born in and is citizen of same nation of application (DAC nation)*
• 50% or more of project’s total production funding secured/received
• International, world and/or regional premiere(s) scheduled to occur after Sept. 30, 2012

*exceptions regarding citizenship may apply to applications from territories and/or regions without recognized sovereign governments

Materials to be Submitted With Application:  Two (2) copies of each of the following English-translated materials must be included (incomplete applications will not be processed):

1. Completed application form
2. Finished English-translated screenplay/script
3. Rushes/dailies, selected scenes or rough cut/final cut (if available)
4. Complete production budget
5. Finance plan
6. Copies of agreements with production financiers
7. Complete production schedule
8. Synopsis and logline
9. Director’s statement
10. Biographies of key production personnel
11. Previous film(s) of filmmaker(s) (if available)

Note:

• The Global Film Initiative does not fund documentary or short films.
• Applications must be submitted by mail or courier — electronic or faxed applications will not be accepted.
• Submission materials will not be returned to applicant.
• All grant amounts are at the sole discretion of the Global Film Initiative.
• Applications can be rejected at the sole discretion of the Global Film Initiative.

Timeline of the Global Film Initiative Granting Cycles

Winter Cycle November 15, 2011 – Application period open for Winter cycle January 16, 2012 – Deadline for submission to Winter cycle April 2012 – Winter cycle grant awards announced

Summer Cycle May 15, 2011 – Application period open for Summer cycle July 16, 2012 – Deadline for submission to Summer cycle October 2012 – Summer cycle grant awards announced

Mailing Address  Send applications and supporting materials to:

The Global Film Initiative – Granting Program 145 Ninth Street, Suite #105 San Francisco, CA 94103, USA             +1(415) 934-9500

APPLICATION DEADLINE: JULY 16, 2012

Please note: all applications must be postmarked by the deadline, and received within five (5) business days of the deadline. The Global Film Initiative will confirm via email receipt of all projects received, but will not track shipments of individual projects.

The Commonwealth Foundation calls for short film proposals. Deadline 31 January 2012

The Commonwealth Foundation puts out a call for short film proposals from filmmakers age 18 or ove:

The Commonwealth Foundation is inviting filmmakers from across the Commonwealth to submit an idea for a short film about relationships. Individual filmmakers or collectives should submit a proposal which explores the theme of love in its broadest sense, whether inter-racial, inter-generational or within and between the sexes. The theme should be relevant to the filmmaker and their community.

We’re looking for original, bold and authentic films in any genre which entertain as well as stimulate and encourage debate both locally and globally.

Deadline for receipt of applications is 31 January 2012 (5pm GMT)

The entry guidelines are as follows:

Entry guidelines The film may be a drama or documentary, or a mixture of different genres, comedy or a more serious approach. The films can be made in your local language but in these cases must include sub-titles in English. The main aim of the film should be to engage and entertain, as well as stimulate and encourage debate, i.e. it should be an oblique and subtle exploration of a challenging issue in your community. The film should be up to 20 minutes (maximum) in length. Funding of between £3,000 and £8,000 per film is available. You must be available for an initial skills-building workshop in early March 2012 and available to make the film between March and May 2012. Depending on the sensitivity of the subject matter, the films may be made outside your community or country if necessary or appropriate. The resulting films will be shown locally and internationally to stimulate open debate around these issues, in local communities as well as national television and radio. The films may be shown anonymously if particularly sensitive.

For more information, see the call for proposals at the Commonwealth Foundation site.

Beautiful Africa short film script competition. Deadline: 31 January 2012

An opportunity for scriptwriters who are interested in directing here:

Beautiful Africa Call for Entries

FilmContact.com, The Africa Movie Academy Awards and Beautiful Africa are giving 20 scriptwriters the opportunity to direct their own 3 – 5 minute scripts for a documentary series promoting Africa in a positive and entertaining light.

The best scripts will receive full production support to produce, shoot and edit their films anywhere in Africa.

Enter your Film Script into the Beautiful Africa Competition herehttp://www.ufilm.tv/enter

NOTE: If you are already registered on FilmContact.com, you can login with your same username and password at http://www.ufilm.tv

The short films will also compete at film festivals around the world, be entered into The Africa Movie Academy Awards, and be offered to international broadcasters as fillers.

Possible topics include:

• Arts • Economy • Environment • People • Technology • Traditions • Wisdom

The aim is to change perceptions of Africa, repositioning the continent as a place of beauty and opportunity.

There are prizes for the top three completed films.

First prize: $5 000 Second prize: $2 500 Third prize: $1 000

Deadline: 31 January 2012. Finalists to be announced during The Africa Movie Academy Awards in March 2012.

http://www.ufilm.tv/enter

Homevida 2011 Script competition: Nigeria’s Integrity Film Awards, Submission Deadline: 31 August 2011 (EXTENDED to 9 September for short script competition)

UPDATE: 26 August 2011: Deadline now extended to 9 September. for the short film script competition

Homevida, an “initiative of the Public and Private Development Center (PPDC), a Nigerian Citizenship sector organization that seeks to assist and empower ordinary citizens to participate in governance and development” calls for nominations “for its feature film Awards and entries for the short film script competition in the following prize categories”:

The Family Friendly film prize (endowed by the National Film and Video Censors Board)

The winning film must be:

a) A film suitable for children or family viewing and

b) That captures the heritage, diversity and challenges of Nigeria and Nigerians OR

c) Depicts the moral values common to Nigeria

d) Have a storyline that is believable, realistic, dramatic and entertaining

The Due Process Film prize (endowed by the Bureau for Public Procurement)

The winning film must be a film:

a) A story encouraging integrity, true competition, transparency, accountability, especially amongst contractors and government officers OR

a) Showing interactions between stakeholders in the procurement process OR

b) Depicting due process as a standard for human conductOR

c) Comparing those who remain with the old practices of bribery, influence peddling, forgery, contract abandonment and use of fake materials and a new breed of contractors who are professional and competitive

d) Reasonably modeling the new procurement framework; its dos and don’ts.

The Faith Film Prize* (endowed in honour of Late Pastor Don Igwe)

The winning film must be:1.A film that models individual citizens involvement in promoting the virtues of honesty, transparency, integrity and accountability as an expression of the Christian faith OR2.A film depicting individuals sense of duty to society and one another as a way of serving God3. The story must be believable, realistic, dramatic and entertaining.

The Public Conduct Film Prize (endowed by Code of Conduct Bureau)

The winning film must

a) Depict life in Public service in Nigeria and

b) Models what is right and wrong in conflict of interest situations and ethical implications of gift, OR

c) A film that portrays the consequences of choices that public servants make OR

d) Show (positive) effects of integrity reforms

e) Have a storyline that is believable, realistic, dramatic and entertaining.

To be eligible for entry all films must:

1. Have been produced in Nigeria

2. Be a drama film

3. Be between 60mins and 120mins

4. Technically be of broadcast standards with clear sound and vision

5. Be realistic, dramatic and entertaining

6. Produce documentation to show clearance of music rights, script and talent

7. Show evidence of registration with NFVCB (if the film has been released)

8. Be made by filmmakers who are 18 years and above

9. Have its Producer, Director and Screenwriter registered with the relevant industry guild or association.

10. Meet individual criteria for the prize being applied for

To nominate a film:

1. Complete an application form online

2. Include a synopsis of your nominated film in no more than 300 words

3. Send biographies of key production personnel (if known)

For more information, see the Homevida website or the Homevida Facebook site.

*When Carmen McCain, coordinator of the Hausa Home Video Resource Centre requested for more information on the awards, Homevida clarified that the scripts submitted must be in English and that the “faith film prize”, which is “endowed in honour of Late Pastor Don Igwe” is only for Christian faith films. The representative of the National Film and Video Censor’s Board at the Nollywood conference  in Lagos where the call for scripts was announced clarified that they would welcome endowments and sponsorships for prizes from other faith traditions….

Del-York International and New York Film Academy Workshops in Lagos, August 2011

Del York International is partnering with New York Film Academy to host a one month course on filmmaking in Lagos, in August 2011. Nigerian directors, Stephanie Okereke and multiple AMAA-award winning Kunle Afolayan have attended New York Film Academy courses in other locations. This is a unique opportunity for filmmakers and those interested in breaking into the industry to attend these courses in Nigeria. They have some SCHOLARSHIPS available, but the deadline is tomorrow, 11 July 2011 (It has been extended from the original deadline of 4 July 2011. UPDATE 12 July 2011: The deadline for scholarship applications has now been extended to 18 July 2011). If you are interested in attending the programme but don’t have a lot of funds available, be sure to register by tomorrow, so that you can apply for a scholarship.

Here is more information on the programme:

The Del-York/New York Film Academy hands-on intensive Training Program, is scheduled to hold from August 8th to September 3rd, 2011 in Lagos. Previous editions of the course took place in Abuja in 2010. You can read testimonials of students here.

Available classes  are Acting, Directing, Filmmaking, Cinematography, Digital Photography, Final Cut Pro, 3D Animation, Producing, Screenwriting, Broadcast Journalism, Music Video Production, Costume Design & Make-Up, Set Design, Graphics and Special Effects, and a Compulsery course on Filmmaking in Nigeria. For more information on each class, go to the class page and click on each course offering.

The course is open to anyone with a secondary school leaving certificate. Upon the completion of the workshop, all students who satisfy the graduation requirements will receive the NYFA diploma certificate to be presented to all participating students that have successfully completed the training program.

Click here to register online through the Del-York International website. 

• Registration fee is N3, 000 or $20 equivalent.
• Please Note: Before you can apply for the available scholarships, we need to receive confirmation of online registration  and registration payment of N3, 000 Or $20
• The closing date for online registration is 25th July, 2011

The cost of training program

1. Entire program (includes accomodations and tuition for the four week programme) = $5,000
2. Tuition (excludes accomodations) = $3,500 

Please note: This fee does not include personal expenses or transportation expenses to or from the venue in Lagos.

• The deadline for scholarship application is 11th July, 2011
• Once your registration and registration fee (N3, 000) have been received, you may proceed to apply for the availablescholarships http://184.95.62.155/registration/scholarship-1.html
• The eligibility criteria for scholarships are listed here http://www.delyorkinternational.com/scholarships.php
• If you have been granted a Scholarship, you will be Notified on 18th  July, 2011

For further information, see the Frequently Asked questions on the website, or contact Del-York by writing an email to info@delyorkinternational.com or calling 0805 888 3888

Scholarship Opportunities listed on Student Expert Blog

The Hausa Home Video Resource Centre recently subscribed to a newsletter from the Student Expert blog, which is doing excellent work gathering and making public information about academic opportunities all over the world.  The site has specific tabs for undergraduate bachelor degree opportunities, Masters Degree level opportunities, PhD opportunities, Postdoctoral opportunities, fellowships, awards, prizes, and conferences. Rather than re-post every slightly relevant opportunity, we thought it would be best to write a post on the site, and let you subscribe if you are interested. Although most of these opportunities are not related to film, it is useful for those looking for study opportunities. Programmes such as the Jane Klausman Women in Business Scholarships,  for example, would be useful to women who are interested in undergraduate or post-graduate business training to produce films. Under each article is a link to the original website (For example, the original Jane Klausman Women in Business Scholarship information can be found here) where the scholarship or opportunity is listed.

To check out the opportunities listed on the site, click here. To sign up for the newsletter, input your email address in the box at the top right hand corner of the site.

Ford Foundation Grants for Documentary Projects

The “Just Films” Initiative of the Ford Foundation is offering grants for documentary projects. According to their site:

 

Beginning in 2011, we are investing $10 million a year over five years in documentary projects that address urgent social issues and help us understand our past, explore our present and build our future. Our goal is to expand the community of emerging and established filmmakers who often lack funding to realize their visions and reach audiences.

What We Fund

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 theSundance Institute, the Independent Television Service and the Tribeca Film Institute
• 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 that will help JustFilms stay attuned to fresh ideas and stories wherever they may emerge. (Details to come.)

Approximately one-third of JustFilms support is dedicated to finding projects through our open-application process. If you would like to seek a grant for your documentary project, you may do so through our Grant Inquiry process by following the instructions below.

At the end of the online application process, you are given the option to attach a document to the form. For documentary film and media support we request that a letter be attached that includes a brief description of your project and creative approach, the primary purpose of the film, the current stage of the project and whether any other funds have been raised for the film.

 

For more information about the grant funding, click here. 

For more information about the “Just Films Initiative” of the Ford Foundation, click here.