This page contains current deadlines only. To browse previous deadlines see our Calls for Entries, Employment/Internships, and Funding Archives.

ITVS Open Call for Entries

FOR OPEN CALL, ITVS IS LOOKING FOR:

* Single programs of standard broadcast length (56:40 or 26:40). In rare cases, when a filmmaker’s skills, subject and story structure warrant it, ITVS will consider programs at feature lengths.
* Works-in-progress (for non-fiction submissions)
* Programs that can be completed within one year of contract
* Please note that as of 2008, Open Call will no longer accept live action Drama submissions. ITVS is currently revising its policies regarding submissions in this genre. ITVS will publicize this new policy in the coming months once it has taken effect.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: All materials must be received at the ITVS office by 5:00 PM PST on Friday July 18, 2008.

Full guidelines and information available at ITVS: Open Call Guidelines.
More about ITVS.

Call for Submissions: Stories of Change - Social Entrepreneurship in Focus Through Documentary

The Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program, in partnership with the Skoll Foundation, will provide $1.2 million in film project grants to enable the development and/or production of new feature-length independent documentary films that frame, examine and amplify social entrepreneurship as an innovative approach to the central questions of our time. The initiative anticipates funding up to 8 films in the range of $30,000-$150,000 per project. Editorial control must be retained by the filmmaker/s.

Documentary films that combine the art of storytelling with topics in social entrepreneurship and the work of social entrepreneurs, and which have a high potential for co-production and for a full distribution plan, including theatrical, broadcast and DVD distribution, will be given priority. Films can be at any stage of development, production or post-production to apply. Completed films will not be considered.

Deadline for Submissions: August 15, 2008
Awards announced: December, 2008

More information on STORIES OF CHANGE, including application procedures.
Visit Sundance Institute’s site.
Visit the Skoll Foundation’s site.

Call for Entries: Big Sky Documentary Film Festival

The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, the premier venue for nonfiction film in the American West, is seeking submissions for its sixth annual event. From February 13-22, 2009 the festival will screen 100 films, including world and U.S. premieres, classics, rare and experimental works. The competitive event is open to non-fiction films and videos of all genres, subject matter, lengths and production dates. Awards and cash prizes will be given for Best Documentary Feature (over 50 minutes), Best Documentary Short (15-50 minutes), Best Mini-Doc (under 15 minutes) and best documentary about the American West (the “Big Sky Award”).

Early Deadline - July 1, 2008
Regular Deadline - September 1, 2008
Final Deadline - October 20, 2008

Visit Big Sky’s Call for Entries.

Call for Entries: Cinéma Prospérité Video Contest

$35,000 in Prizes Awarded to Top Videos Profiling Entrepreneurs

Cinéma Prospérité is open for submissions. This competition is actively seeking short films (2-5 minutes) that use the power of film to expand our experience and shape our understanding of the world around us. Videos should be suitable to be posted online in forums such as MySpace TV, YouTube, etc. The video should use the best film techniques to showcase the story of an entrepreneur – to show the story of what odds this person has overcome, what impact they have had on the world, and how they’ve managed to achieve their goals. Profiled entrepreneurs should be engaging in for-profit, sustainable and ethical business practices.

Deadline for submissions: September 15, 2008.

More about Cinéma Prospérité.

Call for Papers: Special Symposium “Documentary Film: Forms, Functions, and Impacts”

Mass Communication & Society Special Symposium

DOCUMENTARY FILM: FORMS, FUNCTIONS, AND IMPACTS

Mathew C. Nisbet & Patricia Aufderheide, Guest Editors
School of Communication
American University

Quickly changing trends in documentary content, distribution, and reach generate a range of questions for media scholars to examine. In this special issue of Mass Communication & Society, the editors seek theoretically-driven and empirically-grounded manuscripts that investigate the forms, functions, and impacts of documentary film. They especially seek submissions that explore the subject in one or several of the following ways:

• Cultural production questions.
• Normative and ethical questions.
• Influence and impact questions.
• Civil society and democracy questions.

Manuscripts due no later than January 12, 2009.

Download full call (pdf).
More guidelines.
More about Mass Communication and Society.

Sundance Documentary Fund: Upcoming Deadlines

The Sundance Documentary Fund is a key program of the Documentary Film Program, dedicated to supporting U.S. and international documentary films that focus on current human rights issues, freedom of expression, social justice, civil liberties, and exploring critical issues of our time. The Documentary Fund was established at Sundance Institute in 2002 with a gift from the Open Society Institute and is supported by a leadership grant from the Ford Foundation.

Documentary Fund grants are announced 2-3 times a year and between 2002-2006, the Fund has disbursed almost $5.2 million to over 175 projects in 52 countries. In supporting such work, the Sundance Documentary Fund encourages the diverse exchange of ideas crucial to developing an open society, raising public consciousness about human rights abuses and restrictions of civil liberties, and fostering an ongoing dialogue about these issues.

UPCOMING DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 5, 2009

Visit Sundance Funding site for more information.
Visit Sundance Institute’s homepage.

KLRU Docubloggers Invites Community Submissions

KLRU’s Docubloggers puts TV in Central Texas’ hands!

About Docubloggers
Stories reflecting life in Central Texas shouldn’t only be told from the perspective of a couple of KLRU producers, they should also come from its community - that is to say, from you! There are all kinds of stories that are waiting to be shared. Whether documentary filmmaking is your life-long passion or something that you would like to try, Docubloggers is a great way to show your work and receive viewer feedback.

More information on Docubloggers.

How to submit work to Docubloggers.

About KLRU
KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, reflects, celebrates and inspires Central Texas through creative excellence, community engagement and lifelong learning. Although primarily a television station providing locally produced and quality national programming, KLRU is also a non-profit organization helping to build a stronger community through educational workshops, community outreach projects and public events.

More information on KLRU.

Call for Interns: Mobile Film School

Mobile Film School, a non-profit media arts organization, takes digital filmmaking on the road, offering a series of workshops, on-going educational programming, and resources to rural & underserved communities.

MFS is currently seeking interns to help with their mission to promote and expand media literacy and film education in rural communities across the United States.

Rolling deadlines with internships available by semester and over the summer:
Fall Semester: September - December
Spring Semester: January - May
Summer Semester: June - August

Description and Application Information

For UT Students: Information on Internship Credit (optional)

MFS Contact:
Kristina Mann, Internship Coordinator
Mobile Film School
PO Box 6158
Austin, TX 78702-6158
Fax: (512) 906-2424
Email: Kristina@mobilefilmschool.org