Kickstarters We Love: ‘Her Story’ follows young couple through a terminal illness

It’s pretty clear crowdfunding is here to stay as a platform for indies to both finance their films and rally an eager audience. Success for many begins with the pitch video. One such project, “Her Story” does it just right. Curious backers are introduced to the Austin-based production team as well as main characters Rae and Carter, a young couple braving a tragic diagnosis. Thanks again to writer/actress Haley Alea Erickson (“Rae”) for giving us a peek behind the campaign. And most importantly, holler if you got dollar, folks! The team has already reached more than half of their $5,000 by June 4th goal. — Christina B.

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APPLY: Awards in Moving Image & Visual Arts from Creative Capital

Creative Capital is currently accepting online Letters of Inquiry for awards in Moving Image (formerly Film/Video) and Visual Arts. 

Deadline: February 28

APPLY: Pitch Your Project to Film Financiers with Film Independent’s Fast Track

(Photo: Malta Film Commission)

Fast Track (a Film Independent artist development program)

Deadline: February 24

Fast Track is a film financing market that takes place during the Los Angeles Film Festival designed to help narrative and documentary filmmakers move their current projects forward.

During three days of intensive meetings, Fast Track connects filmmakers with financiers, production companies, and other industry professionals. This highly selective program is open to established as well as up-and-coming filmmakers with exceptional projects still seeking funding.

APPLY: Tribeca All Access Grant for diverse filmmakers

Tribeca All Access (from Tribeca Film Institute)

Deadline: November 5 (no fee!)

Website: https://tribecafilminstitute.org/pages/taa_about

Tribeca All Access (TAA) seeks feature-length narrative and documentary submissions from established and emerging filmmakers whose team includes a director or screenwriter from a community that is traditionally under-represented in the film industry. Five narrative filmmakers and five documentary filmmakers will each receive a grant of $10,000 to use towards the development, production, post- production, or marketing of their film project.”

APPLY: HBO/NALIP Documentary Filmmaker Award spotlights Latino experience

HBO/NALIP (National Association of Latino Independent Producers) Documentary Filmmaker Award

Deadline: September 27 ($20 fee for non-members)

Website: http://nalip.org/hbo-doc-grant.php

Social change has been the consistent undercurrent for HBO’s critically acclaimed and award-winning documentary programs, with a myriad of issues presented in uncompromising quality and honesty.  Through this cash award, HBO wants to focus its lens on the Latino experience and support the growth of social commentary by Latino documentarians. One Latino Filmmaker will win $10,000!“

APPLY: Pitch Your Best Nonfiction Idea for 2013 AbelCine Documentary Grant

Deadline: August 20  extended to August 27

Website: http://about.abelcine.com/2013/07/23/2013-abelcine-documentary-grant/

“Do you have an idea for a compelling documentary project? The 2013 AbelCine Documentary Grant was established to help get your story told. We’re asking you to create a 2-5 minute video pitch and upload it to Vimeo – you’ll have the chance to win one of three equipment usage grants worth a combined total of $100,000.

APPLY: Film Independent’s Directing Lab Wants To Help You Prep Your Next Feature

Deadline: October 7 (no fee!)

Website: http://www.filmindependent.org/labs-and-programs/directors-lab/

“Designed to help directors who are prepping their independent feature films, the Directing Lab is an intensive ten-week program that runs in Los Angeles in February and March.

So What’s The Deal With…Applying for Film Grants?

It suddenly dawned on me that although I’m always excited to post deadlines for film grant opportunities, it might be helpful for folks to hear from someone who’s actually won something. That someone is Darius Clark Monroe, a talented NYC filmmaker with Texas roots. He is currently in post-production on an autobiographical feature documentary titled “Evolution of a Criminal”. The project has received support from multiple organizations including Austin Film Society, Cinereach, Tribeca and IFP. A big thank you again to Darius for sharing his insight on navigating the world of film grants. — Christina B.

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Official synopsis: “Deep in the heart of Texas, what begins as an innocent tale of family, sacrifice, and financial hardship quickly escalates into a true-crime thriller. Fusing together compelling interviews, striking re-enactments, and home video, we are forced to ask ourselves how a 16 year-old honor roll student evolved into a bank robber.”

APPLY: POV wants to show your docs on TV!

POV’s Annual Call for Entries

Deadlines: June 28th

“Each year, POV brings 14 to 16 new films to public television viewers. Our summer series and year-round specials push the boundaries of nonfiction television with work from emerging and established filmmakers that reflects the range and diversity of American voices — viewpoints that enrich, enlarge, challenge and refine our experience of the world.

If your nonfiction film has a strong perspective, a dedication to craft, contemporary relevance and a passion for your topic, then the POV series is the best place for a national television broadcast. If you believe the entire country should see your film, POV is for you.”

To Submit Your Film:  http://cfe.pov.org

APPLY: Chicken & Egg Pictures Offers Support for Non-fiction Female Filmmakers

Chicken & Egg Pictures’ 2013 Open Call

Deadlines:

July 1 (first deadline w/ $20 fee)

July 15 (final deadline w/ $35)

Gatekeeper QOTD: Debra Zimmerman (Women Make Movies)

Gatekeeper QOTD: Chicken and Egg Pictures

Kickstarters We Love: ‘Above All Else’ Doc about Texas activists vs. Keystone XL pipeline

Now that Zach Braff has enough money to make Garden State 2, check out (and share with your friends) fellow Ithaca College alum Ayshea Khan’s latest Kickstarter campaign.

Gatekeeper QOTD: Betsy Pollock (Women In Film Foundation)

APPLY: Film Independent’s Project Involve for Diverse Filmmakers (4/29 deadline)

Film Independent’s Project Involve

Deadline: April 29

Location: Los Angeles, California

Gatekeeper QOTD: Michelle Satter (Sundance Feature Film Program)

Gatekeeper QOTD: Michele Turnure-Salleo (San Francisco Film Society Grants)

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera

NICE

My roomies and I will be shooting a short this summer, a comedy written by our very own co-founder Chris Brittingham.

We’re thinking of shooting with the Black Magic Pocket Cinema camera that is set to come out this July. We’ve read preliminary reviews on it but want to know if there’s anyone out there who knows more about the camera than we’ve been able to find.

Pros we’ve found so far?

*13-stop dynamic range
*Super 16 imaging area
*Records 1080/Apple pro res 422 on SD cards
*Super flexible lens mount
…and more.

Impressive indeed

Cons are harder to find since not many people have reviewed it. Anyone know more about this?

Feel free to post any information in the comments below or send us an email at indiesunchained@gmail.com.

Thanks!