MISSION:
The Indigenous Film Fellowship (IFF) will offer a two-year program that will partner emerging indigenous film talent with notable and established filmmakers world-wide. The first year of the program will focus on the development of storytelling through script, while the second year of the fellowship will focus on the production planning and strategizing to help the grantees successfully create solid marketing and financing plans by the end of their two-year fellowship. It is the aim and ambition of both the ISF and the Indigenous Film Circle to strengthen the indigenous film network while also helping each other support and develop strong new talent within the film industry. We hope that this global program collaboration can build a permanent network for indigenous filmmakers and supporting partners world-wide.
The Indigenous Film Fellowship seeks creative, dedicated and talented filmmakers to submit their stories to be developed with the guidance and mentorship of established filmmakers with proven success records who will provide encouragement and refine the awarded fellows talents, scripts and production plans. Our aim is to have the fellows’ film projects industry ready by the end of year two of the fellowship for potential financing.
INDIGENOUS FILM FELLOWSHIP PROJECT:
- Ten awarded fellows will be selected and partnered with five internationally recognized filmmakers as their mentors (two fellows per mentor).
- Fellows will receive $10,000.00 USD for the first year, dispersed quarterly upon completion of deadlines.
- Travel and accommodations will be supported for the fellows to congregate at the annual workshops and meetings.
From July 1 through September 1, 2011 the ISF will collect, cull and disseminate the top thirty percentile of the fellowship applications to the Indigenous Film Circle for review and ratings. The ISF, in consultation with the Circle partners will then help partner, with their prospected two fellows. The first gathering and workshops will be held at the International Sámi Film Centre in Kautokeino, Norway from October 31 – November 6, 2011 and will focus on story and character development as well as provide an initial gathering for all mentors, fellows and partners in the Indigenous Film Circle. From November 2011 through October 2012, three marked deadlines for script development will help measure and track Fellows’ progress and further development needs. During the spring of 2012, the Indigenous Film Circle will then review the process and advancement of the fellowship and create a programmatic course for the fall 2012 congregation as well as the planning for year two.
To apply for the Indigenous Film Fellowship, please be sure to read the GUIDELINES to determine your eligibility. The application can be found here.