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They Want To Fund Your First Feature (& Take You To Venice, Italy)

Launched this year by the Biennale di Venezia in partnership with Gucci, the Biennale College – Cinema is an initiative to support teams of directors and producer to make their first audio-visual work. A community of selected filmmakers from around the world will work alongside an invited team of international experts and tutors to explore the aesthetics of micro-budget filmmaking and the new integrated models of production, which engage with an audience from the outset.

After a first 10-day workshop in Venice for 15 selected projects in January 2013, up to 3 teams will be invited to a second 15-day workshop between February and March and supported with 150.000 Euros in order to produce and screen the projects at the 2013 Venice International Film Festival. The Call for Applications is open from the 30th of August 2012 to the 22nd of October 2012 only to teams of directors at their first or second feature and producers with variable degrees of expertise who must have produced at least 3 short films distributed and/or presented at Festivals.

For more information go here, or email college-cinema@labiennale.org

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Free Office Space Further Proves San Francisco Is The New Center Of Indie Film

Two years ago today, after having the first sale of the Toronto International Film Festival (at a far higher amount than I had hoped for) and my business partner having the #1 film at the US Box Office, I shut the doors on my production office for good.  As an Indie Film Producer, I could not afford the high rents of NYC.  Today I confess: my productivity went down as a result.  Further, I lost the ability to naturally collaborate with the other producers and filmmakers I shared office space with.  It sucks not to have an office (although I did love having lunch regularly with my wife).

I am thrilled that the San Francisco Film Society has confronted this problem head on (office space — not lunches), offering filmmakers free office space in a wonderfully collaborative work space.  Seriously, how many reasons am I going to have to give you to move Indie Film to The Bay Area?  Is funding and work space not enough for you?  How about a great film culture?  Well, there is still more coming…

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Gotham Independent Film Awards – Final Submission Deadline Today!

The 22nd Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards will take place this year again at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, on Monday, November 26th. The first award show of the season, the Gotham Independent Film Awards honor independently distributed American feature films made with an economy of means and celebrate the authentic voices behind and in front of the camera in the year’s best independent films. Submissions are now being accepted in five of the competitive categories, including: Best Feature,Best Documentary, Breakthrough Actor, Breakthrough Director and Best Ensemble Performance. The deadline for submissions is 5pm EST on September 14, 2012. Applications, along with full criteria, are available here.

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Can We Help Fund Your Great Project?

I wouldn’t have been so excited to become the Executive Director of the San Francisco Film Society if it didn’t have the support from Kenneth Rainin Foundation.

The SFFS/KRF Filmmaking Grants support feature narrative films that through plot, character, theme or setting explore human and civil rights, antidiscrimination, gender and sexual identity and other social issues of our time. This is NOT a documentary grant.

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I Will Consult On Your Script Or Project

Here’s the deal: you help the Flyaway Film Festival & I help you and your project.   Okay, it’s not quite that simple, but it is still a great bargain.  I really enjoyed my time visiting the Flyaway Film Festival and I want it thrive.  They just had a very successful crowd funding campaign; it’s nice to see my affection is matched  by many.  

To help them raise money, I donated a one hour consultation session.  I will also add in free the time it takes to read your script and make some notes.  This often goes for quite significant amounts.  Flyaway has it listed for bargain rates.

Check it out here: 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2010774505/save-flyway

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WILDFIRE POST-PRODUCTION SOUND GRANT

Film Independent is now accepting submissions for the Wildfire Post-Production Sound Grant, a complimentary Sound Mix provided by Wildfire Post-Production Studios on a feature film project selected by Film Independent Artist Development.

To be eligible, applicants must be either Film Independent Fellows, alumni of the Los Angeles Film Festival or Spirit Awards nominees/winners. Film Independent will award this grant on or before November 1, 2012.

Sound Package includes:

  • 4 Weeks Supervising Sound Editorial
  • 8 Hours ADR Recording
  • 2 Days Foley Recording
  • 45 Hours Final Mix
  • 9 Hours Final Mix Playback and Fixes
  • 9 Hours Printmaster
  • Sound Deliverables provided on Firewire Drive

Value of services: $40,000. Fulfillment of services is to be scheduled anytime before March 31, 2013, with the exception of the month of January 2013.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be the director or producer of a feature – narrative or documentary – that is in the rough cut stage.
  • Applicants must be either (a) alumni of Film Independent’s Artist Development programs; (b) alumni of the Los Angeles Film Festival; (c) a past Spirit Award Nominee or Winner; or (d) solicited by Film Independent.
  • All submitted films must be feature length.
  • Applicants must be current Film Independent members.

How to Apply – Applications open September 12, 2012

To be considered for the Wildfire Post Production Sound Grant, qualifying filmmakers must apply on the Film Independent website. Applicants must complete the online application form, which includes:

  • Cover letter explaining your interest in the award
  • Detailed written plan outlining the filmmaker’s post-production process and timeline
  • Budget and detailed outline of funds raised to date
  • Project status and history, including any awards the script has won, talent development programs the project has been developed in, etc.
  • Logline and synopsis
  • Bios of key cast and crew attached
  • Rough cut or final cut of the film on DVD or via URL
  • $35 application fee

Application deadline: October 1, 2012

DVD of the film (rough cut or final cut) must be received by October 8, 2012

Selection Criteria

Film Independent employs the following guidelines in making its selections:

  • Overall quality of the film
  • Strength of post production plan
  • Uniqueness of vision
  • Original, provocative subject matter
  • Well-conceived plan for how to use the award

Overseeing the Award

Film Independent staff will select the winner of the award, oversee the administration of the award to the winning filmmaker and will monitor the services rendered.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact Jennifer Kushner, Director of Artist Development: jkushner@filmindependent.org

 
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2013 SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Call For Entries

The San Francisco Film Society is now accepting submissions for the 56th San Francisco International Film Festival, recognized throughout the world as an extraordinary showcase of cinematic discovery and innovation in one of the country’s most beautiful cities. Works in all genres, forms and lengths are considered. Deadlines:

• Early deadline Tuesday, October 9
• Regular deadline Monday, November 5
• Final deadline for short films Monday, December 3
• Final deadline for features Monday, December 10

HOW TO ENTER Entry form and information: sffs.org or withoutabox.com.