Mission and Objective
The Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund will provide production grants totaling $195,000 to be used in the creation of original, independent documentary films that illuminate pressing issues in the United States. Grants will be made to up to 12 projects that tell a compelling story and focus on one of Pare Lorentz's central concerns—the appropriate use of the natural environment, justice for all or the illumination of pressing social problems.
The fund supports full-length documentary films that reflect the spirit and nature of Pare Lorentz's work, exhibiting objective research, artful storytelling, strong visual style, high production values, artistic writing, and outstanding music composition, as well as skillful direction, camerawork and editing. A program of the International Documentary Association, the Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund is made possible by The New York Community Trust.
Supported Activities
Eligible projects will be in production, having completed the bulk of research and development but still having substantial production or post-production related work and expenses remaining. Grant funds may be used for production and post-production related expenses incurred during the period of support.
Expenses may include line items such as principal photography, travel, equipment purchase or rental, insurance, rights and clearances, editing and filmmaker salaries. The fund does not support expenses related to fundraising, distribution, publicity, marketing or outreach.
Period of Support
The grant period of support is one year from the date of the grant award. Grant funds will be used to advance or reimburse production and post-production related expenses incurred during that period.
Grant Range
Grants made will range from approximately $15,000-25,000.
Eligibility
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The applicant (Project Director) must be 18 years of age or older.
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The applicant must be a producer and/or director of the submitted work.
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The applicant must be an independent filmmaker working on an original project. For the purposes of this grant, IDA defines an independent filmmaker as a content creator who both owns the copyright of his or her work and has full artistic, budgetary, and editorial control of the documentary project. Documentaries being produced for or under the direction of a third party, such as a broadcast entity, university, foundation or nonprofit organization are ineligible.
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The project must addresses a critical issue in the United States and focuses on one of Pare Lorentz's central concerns—the appropriate use of the natural environment, justice for all or the illumination of pressing social problems.
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The project must be in production, having completed the bulk of research and development but still having substantial production and post-production related work and expenses remaining.
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The applicant should be an experienced filmmaker with at least one key above-the-line (producer, director, co-director, co-producer) or other principal creative (director of photography, editor) credit on a previously completed documentary. Applicants with limited experience or who lack a previous credit as either a producer or director of a completed documentary should have a production team that includes other highly experienced key production personnel and advisors. Key team members and advisors may be contacted during the review process to assess their level of involvement and commitment to the project.
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The applicant does not need to be a US citizen or US resident. However grants to non US citizens or non US residents may be subject to mandatory US government withholding of up to 30% and the recipient may be required to file a US tax return.
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The applicant is not required to be a member of IDA to be eligible to apply.
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The applicant is not required to have nonprofit status or fiscal sponsorship.
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Student films are ineligible.
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Completed films are ineligible.
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Short documentaries (under 40 minutes finished run time) are ineligible.
What you will need to apply:
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Once you click on the application you will be asked to register with Submittable, which involves entering contact information and choosing a user name and password.
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Fill out our brief online application. You can save it and return to it as often as needed until you are ready to submit.
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A narrative proposal, line item budget and statement of interest. See our Proposal checklist below for details.
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A link to a streaming version of your visual work sample for the current project you are applying with.
Deadline
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until July 31, 2017. Applications will be reviewed throughout this time period, with grants being awarded quarterly. We strive to review submissions and make notifications within eight weeks. If you haven't heard from us after that period has passed, please feel free to contact grants@documentary.org.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.documentary.org/pare-lorentz-guidelines