OPPORTUNITIES BULLETIN #204 May 2020

OPPORTUNITIES BULLETIN #204 May 2020

N.B. The information below is provided directly by the organizers of events, festivals, audio-visual organizations or independent film projects. The Royal Film Commission - Jordan (RFC) cannot be held accountable for it.

In this bulletin:

1. Call for Fund: Aide aux cinémas du monde
2. Call for Submissions: Fast Track 2020
3. Call for Submissions: Producing Lab
4. Call for Applications: PLURAL+ 2020
5. Call for Submissions: Melbourne Short Film Festival 
6. Call for Submissions: Beirut International Women Film Festival (BWFF)
7. Call for Applications: Atlanta International Screenplay Awards

Eligibility

• The film must be a co-production between a production company established in France and one that is not, it must be directed by a non-French (or exceptionally French) director.
• The language in which it is filmed may be the official or commonly-used language(s) of the foreign country of which the director is a national; or of the territory where the film is shot.
• Pre-filming subsidies must be applied for before the start of any filming.
• Post-filming subsidies must be applied for by the French production company and are only applicable to projects rejected at the pre-filming stage.

Project selection

A committee of professionals chooses the projects based on their artistic quality, their ability to present different points of view and new ideas to the general public, as well as the relative weakness of the foreign professional network on which the projects would depend.

The committee comprises two sub-committees (colleges), presided over by two Vice-Presidents, one open to first or second films of a director, and the other to projects by experienced directors.

The projects are examined at three stages: first by the reading committee, then by the plenary committee, which decides whether the projects should be supported or not and finally by the assessment committee, which sets the aid amount.


Amount of aid

There is a ceiling of € 250,000 for pre-filming subsidy and of € 50,000 for post-filming subsidy.

The amount awarded may not exceed 50% of the French financing part. However, this limit is raised to 80% if the project is a director’s first or second feature-length film, for films with a budget lower than € 1,250,000, or for those co-produced with low-income countries .

Deadline: June 2, 2020

Subsidy management
The documents required for the application have to be all in French (script, director’s note, synopsis, etc.) and must be filed online : https://form.cnc.fr.

For more information please visit: https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/aides-et-financements/multi-sectoriel/production/aide-aux-cinemas-du-monde_190862#

Fast Track is open to any directing and producing team attached to a full-length fiction or nonfiction film. Fiction films must be in the development or pre-production stage at the time of application, while documentaries may be in principal photography or post-production. The program is open to both experienced and first-time filmmakers, as long as they are actively seeking financing for their project. Writers seeking script sales or representation, or working without a directing/producing team, will not be considered. At this time, short film and episodic projects are not eligible to apply.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit the following materials for consideration:

• A cover letter explaining your interest in Fast Track.
• One complete feature-length screenplay or detailed documentary proposal.
• A logline and synopsis.
• Bios of the director, producer and other attached key cast and crew.
• Project status and history.
• A detailed finance plan (a budget is recommended but not required).
• A narrative director’s prior work sample, or a rough-cut/clip reel for documentary works-in-progress.

Deadline: July 8, 2020

For more information on the application deadline please visit the applications page.

For more information, please email: artistdevelopment@filmindependent.org

3. Call for Submissions: Producing Lab

The Producing Lab helps further the careers of its Fellows by introducing them to film professionals who can advise them on both the craft and business of independent producing. In addition to attending lab sessions with legal, financial and production experts, each Producing Lab Fellow will be paired with an experienced Creative Advisor with whom they’ll work to develop their project over the course of the program. Taking place during the course of one week in October, the Lab culminates with a pitch session with established executives, offering participants valuable practical experience and the chance to introduce their projects to a larger cross-section of the industry.

Producers may apply with feature-length narrative projects that are in active development or post-production. Through the Lab, Fellows develop strategies and action plans to bring their projects to fruition.

Who Can Apply?

The Producing Lab is open to any producer formally attached to a full-length, fiction feature film with a completed script and director in place. Applicants must control the rights to the project with which they apply. Projects do not need financing in place at the time of application.

However, each application must demonstrate serious attention to the film’s budget and articulate the reasoning behind the budget level. Producing partners are welcome to apply as teams and need only submit a single application. International applicants are welcome to apply. Documentary, short film, new media and episodic projects are not eligible to apply.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit the following materials for consideration:

• A cover letter explaining your interest in the Producing Lab.

• An artist statement detailing why you are attached to produce.

• One complete, feature-length screenplay.

• A logline and synopsis.

• Bios of attached key cast and crew.

• Project status and history.

• Budget top sheet and finance plan.

• Look book (if applicable).

• Work sample and/or rough cut.

Deadline: June 3, 2020

For more information on application deadlines please visit the applications page.

For more information, please email: artistdevelopment@filmindependent.org

4. Call for Applications: PLURAL+ 2020

Every year, PLURAL+ invites young people up to 25 years of age to submit original and creative short films conveying constructive messages related to the themes of migration, diversity, social inclusion, and the prevention of xenophobia.

Entitled “The Future We Want,” the first new award category invites young filmmakers to submit videos focused on the future of migration, diversity and social inclusion, as well as the prevention of xenophobia. The award category was created in the context of the 75th anniversary of the UN and the organization’s efforts to foster a global conversation on the theme of cooperation in building a common future.

The second new category, the #forSafeWorship Award, invites youth to express views and perspectives on how to foster peaceful co-existence among different faiths. This category was created in the context of the UN Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites, developed by UNAOC and launched in September 2019.

PLURAL+ video entries must be between one and five minutes and can be of any genre:  animation, documentary, music video, comedy, etc. A panel of international jurors will select one PLURAL+ Award winner in each of three age categories (up to 12 years; 13 to 17-year old; 18 to 25-year old).

IOM and UNAOC will jointly select three videos to receive:

The Special Award for the Prevention of Xenophobia
The Future We Want Award
And the #forSafeWorship Award.
PLURAL+ partner organizations will also award a multitude of prizes and professional opportunities to several young filmmakers.

PLURAL+ winners will be invited, with all expenses paid, to participate in the PLURAL+ Awards Ceremony later in the year. There also will be a series of side events providing opportunities for professional development.

Deadline: June 19, 2020, at midnight EST.

For more information and to submit a video, visit: https://pluralplus.unaoc.org/

For more information, please contact, Ms. Rahma Gamil Soliman at IOM NY (rsoliman@iom.int) and Mr. Thibault Chareton at UNAOC (thibaultc@unops.org).

5. Call for submissions: Melbourne Short Film Festival

Melbourne Short Film Festival (MSFF) was founded to support and promote independent short films from all around the world. The festival aims to promote and provide exposure to these films and organize a fun and culturally diverse night of indie cinema for filmmakers and cinephiles alike.

The program will reflect the diversity and opportunities within the short film genre, and its goal is to show films that the audience would otherwise have not seen, and leave a lasting impact.

MSFF is run in association with Close:Up, a collection of international film festivals supporting indie filmmaking.

Awards & Prizes

The official selection will be picked by a panel of expert judges, and will consist of the films nominated for an award. The films screened at the event will be selected from the official selection and promoted on social media platforms and website, and the best ones will receive awards at the film festival in a wide range of categories. Both the nominees and the winners will get the official laurels and will be featured on our Facebook page and website.

Rules & Terms:

• Only films in English language or with English subtitles are accepted.

• Short films must not exceed the 40 min. length requirement.

• By submitting to the festival you give the right to screen your film in front of a live audience at our venue.

• By submitting you agree to the terms and conditions and give the permission to use your email address for marketing purposes. Your information will never be shared with third parties.

• Selected films will be requested to provide all promotional materials for the promotion of the festival screening.

Deadline: June 30, 2020

For more information please visit: https://filmfreeway.com/MelbourneShortFilmFestival

6. Call for Submissions: Beirut International Women Film Festival (BWFF)

Beirut International Women Film Festival (BWFF) is an annual event organized in Beirut by Beirut Film Society, under the theme “Women for Change”. Gathering filmmakers and cinema lovers from all over the world, BWFF tackles issues such as gender equality, sexual identity, domestic violence among others through the power of the lens and cinema, which is the window to society and particularly women in this case.

BWFF, which comprises of films about women and/or executed by women, aims to highlight the power of women in different life situations. The festival organizers believe in promoting a positive image of women struggling with dignity to make a change in their environment.

Rules and Regulations:

Filmmakers are invited to submit their original work BWFF as follows:

1- Films produced after january 1, 2019 are eligible for submission.

2- For international feature films submissions, lebanese premiere is a mus

3- Bwff supports the travel cost of directors of selected international films to lebanon to participate in the festival screenings and activities. (conditions apply)

4- Submission fees are non refundable and non reimbursable under any circumstances.

5- BWFF retains the right to accept or decline any film, for whatever reason, without any explanation.

6- Applicant admits that he/she is authorized to submit the film, being the rights-holder or authorized representative of the film.

7- BWFF receives exhibition copy in QuickTime 1080p HD 8 bit uncompressed or Apple ProRes file or equivalent via a downloadable link.

8- All non-English speaking films must have adequate English subtitles.

9- Screening fees must be declared prior to or upon submission.

10- BWFF holds the right to:

• Use the selected films for trailers and publicity usage

• Screen the winning films in other related events inside Lebanon, and recommend the winning films to other international film festivals that collaborate with BWFF after the approval of the filmmakers

For more information please visit: https://beirutwomenfilmfestival.com/

This year, Atlanta International Screenplay is awarding feature, TV, and short scripts. Whether you have a drama, action, thriller, horror, sci-fi, animation, fantasy, or family blockbuster, they want to read your script. All budget ranges are encouraged. All entries receive feedback as part of the entry fee. Optional "Deep Dive Analysis" is also available at an extra cost.

Awards & Prizes
 

Feature: $1,200 Cash Prize and introduction to our network of professionals.

TV: $750 Cash Prize and introduction to our network of professionals.

Short: $500 Cash Prize and introduction to our network of professionals.

Rules & Terms

• Full Analysis may be requested at the time of entry.

• There is no limit to the amount of times you may resubmit.

• Feature Scripts must not exceed 140 pages.

• TV Scripts must not exceed 75 pages.

• Short Scripts must not exceed 30 pages.

• There is no limit to the number of projects you may submit.

• Entries must be received on or before the deadline dates by 11:59PM Pacific Time, and submission fee payment must be made in full at time of the submission. All entry fees are non-refundable.

• All submitted material must be wholly owned by the writer(s).

• If a writing team is chosen as a winner, prizes will be given to the person who submits the project. Each team is responsible for dividing or sharing the prize money.

• There are no age restrictions and contestants of all ages are eligible to enter the contest.

• Previous winners of this contest may not enter again.

• Everyone from anywhere in the world are eligible; however the material submitted must be in English (occasional dialogue in other languages is acceptable).

• All material submitted to other competitions or contests are eligible for this contest.

• There are no requirements regarding when the material was written.

• There are no preferences as to the title page content. Title and name of writer are industry standard.

• Adaptations are eligible only if the rights are owned by the writer or the work is in the public domain.

• All material must be submitted electronically as a PDF.​

Final Deadline: July 16, 2020

For more information please visit: https://filmfreeway.com/AtlantaInternationalScreenplayAwards