OPPORTUNITIES BULLETIN #235 December 2022

OPPORTUNITIES BULLETIN #235 December 2022

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. Job Vacancy at The Royal Film Commission – Jordan: Senior Media and Communication Coordinator
2. Job Vacancy at The Royal Film Commission – Jordan: social media / Digital Marketing
3. Call for submissions: 3rd round of Mosalsalat Screenwriters Lab
4. Call for fund: Doha Film Institute Grants
5. Call for applications: Programmes powered by Torino Film Lab
6. Call for submissions: 21st CYPRUS FILM DAYS International Festival
7. Call for applications: Film Independent Documentary Lab 2023
8. Call for fund: Filmmakers Without Borders (FWB)

The Royal Film Commission – Jordan (RFC) is seeking to fill the position of Senior Media and Communication Coordinator.

This position is at the Communication and Culture Department at RFC and the incumbent will report directly to the Communication and Culture Department Manager.

Job Summary:

Participating in developing the communications strategy and handling all public communication requirements including: drafting press releases and press lines, coordinating with the media, editing/proofreading and copywriting RFC’s documents. The incumbent will also be part of the team organizing and programming film screenings in Amman including films’ selection and events coordination.

Act as Spokesperson for the RFC.

As such, the incumbent will be working with all departments at the Commission, aware of all its activities and reacting in a timely and appropriate manner.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Executing activities related to editing, proofreading, and translating texts for various media and publishing purposes.
• Writing content of publications such as film screenings’ call-outs, press releases, interviews, drafting speeches, etc. as needed and when requested by the Manager; while ensuring professional and well-rounded content.
• Planning and preparing for public film screenings through coordinating related activities from advertising the event to supporting the execution and developing media related content. Obtaining screening rights as required, through contacting the directors or producers or distributors.
• Assisting in the selection of films to be screened through watching and providing recommendations on suitability.
• Assisting in social media whenever required and within the set guidelines.
• Handling correspondences with film screenings partners.
• Presenting films during the screenings and moderating discussions.
• Networking and maintaining positive relations with media and press.
• Managing media communication during crisis with the support of the Manager and concerned team, while ensuring the crisis is handled to the best interest of the RFC.
• Providing inputs to update website or any RFC platform whenever needed.
• Acting as a spokesperson. Conducting interviews on behalf of the RFC.
• Handling any developments with the media and press coordination with concerned managers/departments.
• Representing the RFC in film-related forums in Jordan and abroad.
• Any other task as requested by the Manager.

Requirements:

5 - 7 years in Communication / Media / PR.
B.A in Media, Journalism, Linguistics, Film or Arts.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Perfectly bilingual (English & Arabic).
Very good public speaking skills.
Very Good communication in crisis skills.
Good film culture.

The Royal Film Commission – Jordan (RFC) is seeking to fill the position of social media / Digital Marketing.

This position is at the Communication and Culture Department at RFC.

Job Description:

A)         Social Media

•Generate, edit, publish and share engaging content daily.

• Select appealing images and videos to complement text.

• Coordinate with various teams to create social media posts, while ensuring they are in line with the Institution’s guidelines.

• Communicate with followers, respond to queries and comments in a timely manner and monitor reviews.

• Oversee sub social media platforms

• Create content calendars.

• Monitor and track discussion topics on social media (traffic, engagement, shares, conversion rates) and measure the success of social media posts/campaign.

• Prepare content and statistical reports; online research on cinema-related topics.

• Apply advertising techniques to boost awareness on activities.

• Perform research on current benchmark trends and audience preferences.

• Responsible for content released on all the Institution’s social media accounts: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn.

B)         Digital Marketing

• Compile analytics reports.

• Develop campaigns and plans to execute them.

• Oversee the production of promotional videos.

• Monitor SEO and user engagement and suggest content optimization.

• Evaluate competitors' websites & apps.

C)         Film-Related Activities

• Involved in the work of the Communication department.

• Assist in the screening program: selection of films and management of the screening, whenever required.

Qualifications:

• BA Degree in Marketing or Communication or any related field.

• 5-7 years’ experience as a Social Media Specialist or Digital Marketing or similar role.

• Very good cinema culture.

• Online research savvy.

• Understanding of SEO and web traffic metrics.

• Familiarity with PPC, Google AdWords, Google Analytics, CMS, Photoshop, and Microsoft Office experience.

• Familiarity with web design and publishing.

• Copywriting and content creation skills (Arabic and English).

• Analytical mind.

• Good public speaking skills. 

• Attention to details.

• Self-motivated and a team player.

Reporting:

Report to the Communication and Culture Manager but working across the various RFC’s departments.

How to Apply:

Submissions for the 3^rd  round of Mosalsalat Screenwriters Lab are now open. The Lab will take place in May 2023.

Mosalsalat Screenwriters Lab is an annual five-day series script development workshop aimed at independent Arab screenwriters working on their narrative series projects.

Screenwriters joining the Lab will experience one-on-one mentoring sessions with international accomplished screenwriters (Mosalsalat’s Creative Advisors). The goal of the program is to guide and strengthen the writers’ understanding of story concept, structure, and character development with the intention of producing a pilot script and supporting materials.

Submission deadline: Tuesday, 3^rd January, 2023, before midnight (Jordan Time).

The Spring 2023 cycle for Doha Film Institute Grants opens on the 23rd of December 2022 and closes at 23:59 GMT +3 on Wednesday the 4th of January 2023.

The goals of the Doha Film Institute Grants Programme are to identify new talent, seek out new cinematic voices and discover universally resonant stories.

The Institute’s approach is to champion projects that aim to explore, expand and cultivate authentic storytelling, with a keen interest in propelling forward the medium of cinema.

The Programme provides creative and financial assistance for short and feature-length films, subject to eligibility criteria, by Qatari and international first- and second-time directors, as well as established MENA directors.

Financial support is also available for TV and web series helmed by MENA scriptwriters and directors, subject to eligibility criteria.

The TV fiction and creative documentary series development grant aims to assist independent screenwriters/producers from the MENA region in developing original serialized content intended for international audiovisual markets, while the web fiction and creative documentary series grant will support independent directors/producers from the MENA region in financing the production of original serialized content for the web.

Important: Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please read the guidelines for the documents required.

Programmes powered by Torino Film Lab (TFL) are now accepting applications for the year 2023 in its different categories:

TFL Extended Audience Design - Berlin | February 2023

TFL is a residential, short and intense workshop focused on how to develop and draft an innovative audience engagement strategy for a feature film project.
It is open to film, media and digital professionals from all over the world, interested in gaining insight into audience design strategies.

New deadline for applications: December 19, 2022.
For any questions: costanza.fiore@torinofilmlab.it


Featurelab - sessions across 2023

One of the TFL classics, FeatureLab looks for 1st and 2nd film projects (fiction, creative documentaries, experimental, animation and any possible kind of cinema form) at an advanced stage of development.
It is open to creative teams composed of a director + producer and eventually a scriptwriter.

Deadline for applications: January 16, 2022

On 14 December at 2.00 pm CET therr will be  a Q&A Zoom session with the FeatureLab curator Vincenzo Bugno to present FeatureLab 2023. To clear up any doubts you may have, join us HERE.
For any questions: greta.fornari@torinofilmlab.it

TFL Audience Design Fund - sessions across 2023

€ 45,000 grant combined with Audience Design Consultancies to reach, build and engage audiences through the implementation of innovative actions supporting the moments of sales and distribution.
It is open to international co-productions in post-production stage (feature, creative documentaries, animation, over 60 minutes).

The Deputy Ministry of Culture of Cyprus and the Rialto Theatre launch a call for submissions of feature films in the two Competition Sections of “Cyprus Film Days”, the official international film festival of Cyprus.

The festival aims at broadening its horizons beyond the geographical boundaries of Cyprus, as well as attracting international film industry professionals and audiences, thus turning Cyprus into a meeting hub for the three neighboring continents.

The 21st edition of Cyprus Film Days IFF will take place between 21-29 April 2023 both in Nicosia and Limassol.

The feature films to be submitted must be 2021 or 2022 productions.

Competition Sections:

Α. "Glocal Images" International Competition Section:

Glocal Images International Competition Section accepts films that showcase the “colours” of a local culture while highlighting, in an innovative way, issues that concern the global public opinion.

An independent International Jury will award the following prizes:

-       Best Film Award: accompanied by the amount of €6,000, paid in half (ex aequo) to the Producer (€3,000) and the Director (€3,000) of the film.

-       Special Jury Award: accompanied by the amount of €3,000, paid in half (ex aequo) to the Producer (€1,500) and the Director (€1,500) of the film.

-       Best Director Award: accompanied by the amount of €1,000.

-       The Jury may also give up to three Honorary Distinctions. These distinctions are not accompanied by a monetary prize.

You may submit your film via www.filmfreeway.com/cyprusfilmdays.

Rules, regulations & submissions: www.cyprusfilmdays.com

or

E-mail: info@cyprusfilmdays.com

The Film Independent Documentary Lab is a  two-week program which will take place  from  1^st until 11^th May  , 2023. The program will be held virtually.

Through a series of meetings and workshops, the Documentary Lab provides creative feedback and story notes to participating filmmakers, while helping them strategize for the completion, distribution, and marketing of their films. The program advances the careers of its Fellows by introducing them to film professionals who can advise on both the craft and business of documentary filmmaking.

The  Lab accepts applications for non-fiction films or series that will be in late post-production in the spring of 2023. Applicants must submit a work sample, which should include a minimum of a polished trailer and scene selects, all the way up to a rough cut.

Applicants must submit a work sample, which should include a minimum of a polished trailer and scene selects, all the way up to a rough cut.

Filmmakers who  have yet to complete the majority of principal photography and those who do not yet have any footage assembled are not eligible to apply.

All applicants will be notified 3-4 weeks before the program start date.

Please complete and submit the electronic application form. Once you click "submit," the application is considered final and no additional information will be accepted.

Regular Deadline: January 27, 2023

Filmmakers Without Borders (FWB) supports independent filmmakers around the world via grants and other funding initiatives. Supported projects include narrative films, documentary films, and new media projects that align with themes of social justice, empowerment, and cultural exchange.

FWB encourages both novice and experienced filmmakers from around the world to apply for grant funding.

All applicants complete an online application and submit a variety of supporting materials including a video essay. The video essay is an opportunity for applicants to introduce themselves, describe the project, and explain how it will be successfully completed.

Supporting Materials

·         Submit an updated CV/resume

·         Submit a link to work samples, previous projects, or a portfolio

·         Submit a 5-10 page treatment/outline of your proposed project

·         Submit a reference letter from a mentor, community leader, employer, or teacher in support of your specific film project.

·         Submit a 3-5 minute video essay outlining your background and proposed project. This video is intended to be creative and to showcase your personality and technical skills. It may be filmed on a DSLR, pocket camera, or other comparable camera but should include an edited combination of all of the following:

1. the applicant speaking directly to camera
2. voice- over narration
3. photos
4. b-roll footage
5. text elements

·         Submit three short-answer essays responding to the following questions:

1. How does your film project demonstrate a commitment to cultural diversity? (1-2 pages)
2. Why does this specific story need to be told and why are you the best person to tell it? (1-2 pages)
3. How does your film project address your chosen theme? Include a minimum of x5 examples. (2+ pages)

·         Submit an estimated budget for each of the following (x2 total):

1.       an estimated budget for the highest amount of funding available for your project’s stage (e.g. production: $5,000). This budget should clearly itemize all anticipated costs. 

2.       an estimated budget for the lowest amount of funding available for your project’s stage (e.g. production: $500). This budget should clearly itemize all anticipated costs.

Deadline for submission: January 1, 2023