CAMDEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

and

MAINE FILM & VIDEO ASSOCIATION

Present

a Documentary Funding Seminar led by

RICHARD SAIZ
Senior Programming Manager
Independent Television Service (ITVS)

Developing Your Project for ITVS

As the single biggest funder of independent documentaries on television, the Independent Television Service has become indispensable for filmmakers seeking major funding for their projects. This event is a rare opportunity for independent producers to grasp the essential concepts and principles of how to make a documentary more competitive when applying for ITVS funds. From writing the treatment to production considerations and directorial vision, participants will gain valuable insight into the ITVS process. Case studies, video samples, and handouts will walk you through the basic steps towards making your project more competitive with this organization.

Developing Your Project With ITVS will take place Saturday October 2 from 2:30 – 5:00 in Rockport, Maine as part of the Points North Documentary Forum, the conference element of the Camden International Film Festival. This seminar co-sponsored by The Maine Film & Video Association, an active group of film and video professionals working together to create educational and networking opportunities for Maine’s media industry. MFVA MEMBERS RECEIVE A 15% DISCOUNT on Camden Festival and Points North Passes.

Passes for the two day Points North Forum are $25, day passes $15. For more information, event details, and pass sales, please consult the Camden International Film Festival’s website: http://camdenfilmfest.org/attend/ To receive the MFVA discount, go to www.mainefilm.com.

About Richard Saiz:
Saiz, Senior Programming Manager for ITVS oversees Open Call, the organization’s largest funding initiative. Each year, he reviews over 500 proposals from independent producers throughout the country. He has more than 35 years experience as a broadcast journalist, producer, director and writer. His documentaries have won numerous awards which include; the DuPont-Columbia Silver Baton and Best TV Documentary from the San Francisco International Film Festival.

About Camden IFF
The 6th annual Camden International Film Festival takes place September 30th – October 3rd in Camden, Rockport and Rockland Maine. Committed to supporting and generating interest in independent documentary films, the Camden International Film Festival presents a snapshot of the cultural landscape through the year’s best non-fiction storytelling. The annual program highlights work that shows dedication to craft, and an ability to arouse discussion on documentary film as an art form, a catalyst for change and as an outlet for the independent voice.

About Maine Film & Video

The Maine Film & Video Association is a group of film and video professionals who work within Maine’s community to create opportunities to enhance the local media industry. http://www.mainefilm.info/

For more information contact: Sarah Ruddy (Festival Producer) sarah@camdenfilmfest.org

On Thursday, October 14, we’re hosting a special screening of The Work of 1000 documentary film, followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion on “The Future of Urban Environmentalism.” You’ll hear cutting-edge insights about how environmentalism can spur urban renewal, challenges and trends in urban ecology, and next steps communities can take to “green” themselves and improve residents’ quality of life.

Panelists include Marion Stoddart, who led the cleanup of the Nashua River and stars in The Work of 1000; former Fitchburg Mayor Bill Flynn; current Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong; and Colin Durrant, Harvard University’s Manager of Sustainability Communications and the former Communications Director for the Conservation Law Foundation. The panel will be moderated by Work of 1000 director Dorie Clark.

Tickets for the event, which runs from 7:00-8:30p.m., are $20. Information on how to purchase tickets will be coming soon.

For information on hosting a screening, please visit www.workof1000.org/screenings.

We look forward to seeing you on October 14th.

Susan Edwards
Producer & Project Director
Work of 1000

ABOUT

In addition to choice screenings of carefully selected docs from across the globe, an important component of this year’s Camden IFF will be the Points North Forum (returning in its second year), a conference program designed around key decision makers in the non-fiction business. Over the course of two special panel sessions, a workshop, several intimate networking sessions and a new live project pitching event, participants will be able to watch and listen as industry experts share their observations and insights. Drawn from television networks, film festivals, distribution companies and funding organizations, this group of experts will also be accessible to conference delegates at networking events prior to and during CIFF.
HISTORY

Last year’s capacity filled Points North Forum featured representatives from HBO, the Sundance Institute, PBS National Program Service, the Gucci Tribecca Fund, the LEF Foundation and IFP, among others. The Points North Forum is a unique opportunity for the largely under served New England non-fiction production community to engage with key industry representatives. What distinguishes Points North is the intimacy and serenity that Camden’s pristine location provides. For more information on last years program, visit the 2009 Points North Page.
ATTEND

Information on forum presentations and participants will be announced in early August. Passes will be on sale starting August 1, 2010 with special discounts for early registrants. Space is limited. Check back regularly for more information on tickets and forum participants.
POINTS NORTH PITCH

Submissions for the first Points North Pitch are now open. If you have a work-in-progress documentary, now is your chance to share it with the world! To submit, simply fill out the submission form on the next page. Aside from the basics, we are looking for a one page description of the film, a one page budget and a description of the production team and a trailer of no more than 4 minutes. A submission fee of $15-$35 (depending on entry date) will be needed and can be paid via Paypal after filling out the submission form.

If selected, you will have 10 very important minutes to pitch your project to a group of key industry leaders from the international community at the Points North Forum. Share your trailer, tell your story and get your project noticed in a big way at the first Points North Pitch.

Submit Your Film!

For more information, contact us at pointsnorth@camdenfilmfest.org.

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Myth #7 “I’ll go on with the film when I find the right producer.” Keep looking!
By Story Consultant Fernanda Rossi, The Documentary Doctor

Doctor coming to town: Fernanda Rossi will be attending WestDoc in Los Angeles, CA, and teaching her workshops in Tucson, AZ, in September. All info at www.documentarydoctor.com.

Click here to download a printable PDF of this issue.

Missed the last issue? print version

The myth in all its glory
Who wouldn’t want a producer or co-producer if working alone? Especially the right producer? The myth does not only concern the proverbial almighty producer; it can apply to anyone onto whom we project the magical powers that will lighten our load and finish the film. Sometimes it’s an editor. Or another editor. A distributor. Any distributor. A publicist, a funder, a…; the list goes on.

Storytelling can get lonely, both literally and figuratively. Longing for company is understandable and in many cases even advisable. Yet more cooks don’t necessarily make a better stew, especially when under the guise of needing a cook when we were just looking for a busboy! Producers are great, and good ones are invaluable; but waiting to go on with the film until finding one can put the documentary in eternal limbo.

Let the myth be deconstructed so filmmakers and producers can find each other and make a match in filmmaking heaven.

Possible origin of the myth
Since some Greek a few millennia ago begged a muse for inspiration, artists were hooked on external stimulation and on both divine and earthly intervention for the rest of history.

Today we might not negotiate with ethereal beings for some clarity on how to proceed with story and production, but we often have equal expectations of a producer or editor. If troubadours sang on lonely nights for the muse to come, filmmakers advertise online.

Some truth to it
Yes, having a superb, experienced, passionate crew is a terrific asset. The right producer can bring not just a rolodex but know-how and renewed enthusiasm to a stalling project. So does the smart, skilled editor when summoned for the right reasons at the right time. A crew above or below the line is never something to dismiss or underestimate.

What’s questionable are all the imagined benefits filmmakers hope to gain from the mere fact of hiring people, not to mention the incredible denial it takes to forget the responsibilities and necessary adjustments that working in a team entails.

The real deal
Working alone—that is, producing, directing, shooting and editing all alone—can be exhausting for some and liberating for others. Some dread the overload, others fear dependency. It’s all in the personality of the filmmaker.

For high-end professional projects, working alone is not possible, yet some filmmakers manage to create isolation through a very vertical organization of the team that keeps him or her at some distance from the rest of the crew.

If it’s the filmmaker’s choice to work in such isolation, no harm is done. But if one is working alone while wishing for a team, the days can be long—very long! The problem is that many think they want a team when they’re really just looking for a solution to a particular problem. Filmmakers often wish they had a producer when in reality they want someone to do a budget or run errands or keep a schedule. Producers can do that, but they can and should offer so much more.

Others delay working on the story until their dream team is put together: they hope that when the dream producer takes on the daily tasks, they will be free to think and come up with the film that waits unformed in their desire. To their surprise, working with a team also takes time, and plenty of energy.

Many relationships start on the wrong foot because of this gap between the filmmaker’s need and the true job description of those being hired.

What to do
The first step in not falling for the myth of producers as saviors rather than partners is to make an honest profile of your needs. What are the reasons that are stopping you from moving forward with your film? The list might be long, but it can provide great insight into what are the real issues at the moment. From these findings, develop a job description, and add your hopes and wishes. How do you imagine that person? What hours of work would you expect? How much involvement? What could that person bring to the documentary? Then read your description to yourself, and if you still feel it is accurate show it to your friends or colleagues. Is this a job anybody would want?

Sometimes the mere act of putting something in writing will bring you the awareness you need to make an informed decision. You might realize an intern is enough to free up some mental space or get more done. Other times a colleague may suggest a potential co-producer based on your description. Then starts the long, always interesting process of interviewing and getting to know each other—but not until you’ve made sure that you’re looking for a team player and not a white knight or lady.

To think further
In a world of online social networking, it would seem that finding somebody for anything is a question of just a few clicks. But those we seek are also seeking… sometimes something or someone else.

May filmmakers find their muse and their producers, asking themselves what they can offer instead of just what they can get.

Story Strategies • Debunking the Myths of Storytelling
Myth #7 “I’ll go on with the film when I find the right producer.” Keep looking!
Article by Fernanda Rossi | edited by Marcia Scott | photo by James Carman
published by Documentary Educational Resources

Fernanda Rossi, 2006-2010. All rights reserved. This article can be reprinted in its entirety for educational purposes only, as long as no charges of any kind are made. Partial reproductions or modifications to the original format are strictly prohibited.

Dear Friends & Family,

PBS launched a new arts website TODAY and I’m particularly excited because I
edited 6 of the videos on the main page called “Ruin & Recovery.” The videos
are about the work created by a New Orleans artist in response to Hurricane
Katrina. As you may know, this week is the 5th anniversary of Katrina and
there are so many stories we haven’t heard, and so much work yet to be done.

If you’re interested you can check it out at:

http://www.pbs.org/arts

Rosey

PS DER is a fiscal sponsor for a work in progress by filmmaker Rosey Guthrie

for their recent, generous support of the outreach plan for the VIDEO LETTERS FROM PRISON project by Jamie Lee of Many Kites Press.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation
701 St. Paul Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
ph: 410-547-6600
fax: 410-547-6624
webmail@aecf.org

The Annie E. Casey Foundation is a private charitable organization, dedicated to helping build better futures for disadvantaged children in the United States. It was established in 1948 by Jim Casey, one of the founders of UPS, and his siblings, who named the Foundation in honor of their mother.

The primary mission of the Foundation is to foster public policies, human-service reforms, and community supports that more effectively meet the needs of today’s vulnerable children and families. In pursuit of this goal, the Foundation makes grants that help states, cities and neighborhoods fashion more innovative, cost-effective responses to these needs.

Application deadline: September 3, 2010

To fill out the application form, please go to:
http://www.dokweb.net/en/east-european-forum/entry-form/

EAST EUROPEAN FORUM STEP BY STEP:
Deadline: September 3, 2010
Forum Workshop: October 21 - 24, 2010
Doc Presentations and Feedback Round Tables: October 25 - 26, 2010

Industry Networking Programme for Participants: October 27 - 30, 2010

East European Forum 2010

- This year the Forum celebrates its 10th anniversary! For the whole decade it has been the region’s largest meeting of East European documentary filmmakers and leading European commissioning editors, distributors, buyers and film fund representatives. Directors and independent producers offer their projects for co-production, pre-sales or any other form of financial support. To this date, some 60 documentary films have been made with the support of the Forum.

- Newly, we will introduce Feedback Round Tables after project presentations. Designed to enhance the positive and focused feedback from commissioners, they also offer an exceptional networking opportunity for the participants with a much smaller group of broadcasters in a more intimate setting. Each project will get up to five times more space for discussion compared to the traditional pitch format. In addition, after the Feedback Round Tables, the filmmaking teams can also engage in in-depth, one-on-one meetings with broadcasters based on comments received at the round tables.

- Projects Presentations will be delivered prior to the feedback round tables to a large group of visitors and approx. 25 broadcasters representing companies from around Europe and North America, including MDR/ARD, Channel 4, BBC, ARTE, POV, ITVS, ORF and many others. Doc Presentations will provide a relaxed and flexible environment for the participants, with more time available for each project.

———————————————————————————————————————————————–

During its existence, the Forum has become a prestigious meeting place that has, since 2001, hosted 510 East European filmmakers and producers, over 60 TV commissioning editors and dozens of international distributors, buyers and festival programmers.

The workshop, sidebar programme and public presentations will be attended by more than 120 documentary professionals.

WHO IS IT FOR?
Directors and producers with their own creative projects. Participants must be proficient in English. All parts of the programme must be attended by both the director and the producer. The East European Forum focuses mainly on Central and East European creative documentary projects, with the director and/or producer based in the region.

PARTICIPATION FEE:
€ 100/selected project + € 250 contribution for accommodation per project

For more information, please visit: www.DOKweb.net

Contact:
Hana Rezkova
Institute of Documentary Film
Skolska 12, 110 00 Prague 1
hanka@dokweb.net
www.DOKweb.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Sarah Ruddy, Producer
sjbruddy@gmail.com / 207.249.5722

Recognized as one of the top 25 film festivals in the world for documentary films and filmmakers, the 6th Camden Intl Film Festival will take place September 30 - October 3, 2010. This year the festival will expand its Points North Forum, a gathering of key industry leaders from the documentary community (last year featured representatives from HBO, Sundance, PBS, IFP and funders the LEF Foundation and Gucci Tribeca). The Forum is a unique opportunity for the largely under- served New England non-fiction production community to connect withindustry execsthrough several panels, structured networking sessions, receptions and now, an exciting new PITCH OPPORTUNITY.
OPEN CALL TO NEW ENGLAND FILMMAKERS! (UPCOMING DEADLINE - AUG 25th, 2010!)
New this year is the first Points North Pitch, an opportunity for 6 New England filmmakers to pitch current projects in development to an international delegation of industry leaders who will provide critical feedback and advice. Filmmakers with projects in development are invited to submit proposals (first deadline August 25th, 2010, announcements made mid-September). For more information on the Festival or Forum and how to submit your pitch, visit http://www.camdenfilmfest.org/pointsnorth

A”BEST PITCH” WILL BE SELECTED, WITH AN AWARD TO THE PITCHING TEAM (TO BE DETERMINED)

Requirements: 1-page synopsis, 1-page budget summary, 1-Page on Production Team and Sample Video material (DVD or Upload)

Deadlines & Fees:
AUGUST 25th: Early Deadline (Submission Fee: $15)
SEPTEMBER 1st: Regular Deadline (Submission Fee: $25)
SEPTEMBER 10th: Late Deadline (Submission Fee: $35)

The Points North Forum, returning in its second year, has been designed to grant exposure and industry access to the New England non-fiction filmmaking community. Last year’s participants included representatives from HBO, PBS, Sundance Institute, LEF Foundation, Gucci-Tribeca and IFP. We are expanding Points North this year - in addition to 2 panels and various informal talks and gatherings, we are including a pitching workshop and pitch forum for 6 projects. These events offer a unique experience for the New England independent production community.

The Camden IFF, now in its 6th year, has become one of the key festivals in the autumn docfest schedule, praised for its carefully curated selection of films, outstanding hospitality and a beautiful setting on the coast of Maine.

“If a festival can be cozy and stimulating at the same time,
then Camden is creating an exciting event to kick off the
insanity that is the fall festival tour and is poised to become
the top US doc showcase in the fall.”
- AJ Schnack, Cinema Eye Honors/All These Wonderful Things

Best wishes,

Benjamin Fowlie - Founder and Camden IFF Director
Louise Rosen - Director, Points North Forum
Dominic Musacchio - Producer, Points North Forum
CIFF slogan

D.E.R. is most grateful to the ongoing, generous support from The Mary Wohlford Foundation for media production that engages and informs the public about reproductive health. This funding has enabled Charlie Stuart of Stuart Productions, a Massachusetts based media maker, in creating feature length programs that have appeared on local PBS stations across the country, as well as a series of webisodes on issues of abstinence education, teen pregnancy, and reproductive health. D.E.R. has facilitated both the funding and distribution of the programs to a broad general audience.

Stuart is currently working on a new feature length documentary on the generational effects of teen pregnancy.

Today, The LEF Foundation announced 4 grants totaling $20,000 in pre-production support to independent documentary filmmakers creating innovative feature-length films, each with a unique artistic voice.

The LEF Moving Image Fund invests in projects that demonstrate excellence in technique, strong storytelling ability, and originality of artistic vision and voice. In addition to this criteria, the grantees represent a group of filmmakers at different stages in their artistic careers, from emerging to established makers.

LEF received approximately 30 inquiries for this deadline. The 4 projects receiving awards will receive $5,000 each in pre-production support. The selected filmmakers address a broad range of topics, while sharing a unique intimacy with their subjects and bringing a strong creative eye to their work. The grantees are:

Jenny Alexander
Dream Generation (wt)
This film follows the story of three undocumented immigrant youth as they struggle to change the world around them - a world where they are considered illegal in the communities where they were raised. In their efforts to change the immigration policies that shape their lives they must confront their greatest fears, and risk losing the only place they know as home.

Alexander Berman and Elizabeth Rose (This is a DER sponsored project)
In the Volcano’s Shadow
The Bezymianny volcano, located on the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East, is part of the largest concentration of active volcanoes in the world. A group of American, Russian, and Japanese researchers study the volcano to unravel a mystery: what makes volcanoes erupt? Native to the area, the Eveny people try to answer the same question through their own cultural practices. In the Volcano’sShadow explores the stories of the scientists, the aboriginals, and the quest to understand disaster.

Jane Gillooly
The Suitcase of Love and Shame
A suitcase purchased on eBay containing reel-to-reel audiotapes recorded in the mid-1960’s reveals an uncensored chronicle of a remarkable affair. The content inside reflects the disappointment, humiliation, and regret of a Missourian man and his mistress. This film explores an era in American history when the reality and disgrace of marital instability condemned the true love between this eccentric pair to secrecy.

Ken Winikur and Ben Avishai
J Street
Through the story of a small, energetic Washington, DC lobby group, J Street explores the battle currently being waged over the hearts and minds determining what support for Israel really means. This film looks at the American political system, and how a sophisticated grassroots movement can organize itself to make its voice heard in the highest levels of government.

We extend our warmest congratulations to this group of grantees and our best wishes for success to all the projects reviewed for this deadline.

Upcoming grant deadlines are 18 September 2010 for projects seeking pre-production support and 28 January 2011 for projects seeking support for production or post-production. Please check www.lef-foundation.org for details regarding LEF Moving Image Fund guidelines and eligibility. For more information on the Foundation or its funded projects, please contact Program Manager Sara Archambault: 617.492.5333 or sara@lef-foundation.org.