2011 ENTRY PERIOD FOR FOCUS FEATURES’ AFRICA FIRST PROGRAM TO COMMENCE MAY 16th; $10,000 IN FINANCING APIECE EARMARKED FOR NEW FILMMAKERS
Focus Features will accept entries for its Africa First Program – entering its fourth year – beginning Monday, May 16th and continuing through Monday, August 22nd. Focus CEO James Schamus made the announcement today.
The uniquely conceived initiative, with funds earmarked exclusively for emerging filmmakers of African nationality and residence, is for the fourth consecutive year offering eligible and participating filmmakers the chance to be awarded $10,000 in financing for pre-production, production, and/or post-production on their narrative short film made in continental Africa and tapping into the resources of the film industry there. The program also brings the filmmakers together with each other and with a renowned group of advisors, major figures in the African film world, for support and mentorship. Complete details on Africa First – including application information – can be accessed year-round through www.focusfeatures.com/africafirst.
This year, the submissions period begins on Monday, May 16th, 2011 and runs through Monday, August 22nd, 2011. The five filmmakers selected will be notified in late September 2011 and will retain the copyrights and the distribution rights to their completed shorts, with the exception of North American rights; Focus retains those, as well as the right of first negotiation to productions derived from the shorts, such as a feature-length expansion.
Completion is developing feature, documentary, and television projects. Its president, Mrs. Cameron-Dingle, previously worked as director of development at Walden Media, and as an executive at New Line Cinema, where she oversaw the development and production of Spike Lee’s Bamboozled.
Focus Features and Focus Features International (www.focusfeatures.com) comprise a singular global company. This worldwide studio makes original and daring films that challenge the mainstream to embrace and enjoy voices and visions from around the world that deliver global commercial success. The company operates as Focus Features in North America , and as Focus Features International (FFI) in the rest of the world.
Guidelines:
• Focus Features Africa First will give awards to up to five (5) filmmakers.
• Each award will be in the amount of USD $10,000.00.
• Awards are given to assist emerging African filmmakers with the production and post-production of their film.
Please read the Official Rules carefully before applying. The Africa First Short Film Program is not a grant. Recipients will retain full ownership of the copyright to their projects as well as all distribution rights throughout the world except for North America; however, for and in consideration of the Award, Award Recipients shall grant to Sponsor (i) the exclusive right in perpetuity to distribute and otherwise exploit the Project in North America in any and all media whether now known or hereafter discovered; (ii) the non-exclusive worldwide right in perpetuity to the exploit the Project on the Internet, including, without limitation, the right to upload the Project to the Website, and to permit visitors to view and download the Project; and (iii) the right of first negotiation for derivative production rights in and to the Project such as sequels, prequels, remakes, and other adaptations.
Applicant Qualifications
* Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, of African nationality, and must have resided in Africa for a minimum of two (2) years before applying.
* Applicants must be independent producers. This means that the individual applicants:
1. own the copyright of their production;
2. have artistic, budgetary, and editorial control of their project;
3. are not regularly employed by a public or commercial broadcast entity.
* Applicant/co-applicant must have previous film or television production experience in a principal role (producer, co-producer, director, or co-director) as demonstrated by a sample DVD or videotape of completed work submitted with application.
REQUIREMENTS
All projects entered into the Focus Features Africa First Short Film Program must meet the requirements below:
* Produced in continental Africa;
* 5-25 minutes in length with narratives taking place exclusively in Africa. Feature and/or documentary submissions will not be accepted;
* In preproduction, production, or postproduction;
* Project must be filmed in continental Africa and contribute to the development of the local film industry by using local key production staff and using local facilities;
* All Program documents must be written in the English language; however, if the original language of the screenplay was not in the English language, an English-language translation of the screenplay is acceptable;
* Project must be either (i) in the English language or (ii) if not, be delivered with English-language subtitles in 16mm, Super 16mm, 35mm, HDTV, DigiBeta, or Beta format.
Award Selection
The final selection of up to five (5) award recipients will be made by Completion Films and the Focus production team, with the final decision being made by Focus. Projects will be judged by taking into consideration such factors as originality, creativity, quality, and artistic contribution to African filmmaking.
More information here.
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