September 2014
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Need help funding your project? 
Apply for WMM's Production Assistance Program! WMM offers fiscal sponsorship to women filmmakers actively fundraising or about to begin fundraising for production, post-production and even outreach. We have worked with award winning films such as Gideon's Army,The E-Team, Watchers of the Sky, and After Tiller. Along with fiscal sponsorship, our acclaimed Production Assistance Program offers funding and distribution consultations, use of our conference room, discounts and more. 

 

Our next deadline is October 15. For more information click here

 
FILMMAKER NEWS

  

Katy Chevigny's film E-TEAM will be premiering theatrically at IFC Center in New York on October 22nd and on Netflix on October 24th. 

 

Congratulations to Margaret Brown whose film, The Great Invisible, will be distributed by RADiUS!

 

Congratulations to Sophie Deraspe! Her film Amina: A Gay Girl in Damascus received a completion grant from the Shaw Media-Hot Docs Completion Fund.

 

PJ Starr's film No Human Involved was recently profiled in the Ms. Magazine blog.

 

Heather White's film Who Pays the Price? The Human Cost of Electronics was featured on NPR and The Huffington Post

 

Sonia Fritz has been selected by NALIP to be one of the first members of their in-residence program, ARC (Artist Retreat Center) for Women Filmmakers of Color, to work on her film Las Mariachis.  

 

Filmmaker Cristina Kotz Cornejo was one of ten international filmmakers selected to participate in Screenwriter Residency, Cine Qua Non Lab with her feature screenplay, Hermanas de Fe.

 

Cristina Ibarra was invited to be a fellow of the Sundance Institute's Women's Initiative this year. Congratulations!
 

Congratulations to Shawn Batey whose film, Changing Face of Harlem, received the Harlem Spotlight Documentary Award at the 2014 Harlem International Film Festival. 

 

Congratulations to Marlene McCurtis whose work in progress,  Wednesdays in Mississippi, will screen at the 50th Anniversary of Freedom Summer in Jackson, Mississippi!

 

Blair Doroshwalther's film Out in the Night will screen next month at the New Orleans Film Festival and the Milwaukee LGBT Film Festival.

  

Theresa Loong's film Every Day Is a Holiday is screening at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck on Thursday, Oct. 2, as part of The Black Maria Film Festival.

 

Filmmakers Tanisha Christieand Anita Womack have launched the beta site for their digital interactive video project Dry Eyes Dry Mouth

 


 

 
FUNDING APPLICATION DEADLINES

 

PaleyDocs Pitch Workshop Contest

October 1, 2014 (Special Extended Deadline)

October 8, 2014 (Withoutabox Extended Deadline)

The PaleyDocFest Pitch Contest offers a $5,000 grant for an unfinished or work-in-progress documentary from an emerging filmmaker. Apply here.

 

California Documentary Project Grant

Deadline: October 15, 2014

The California Documentary Project is a competitive grants program of Cal Humanities that supports documentary film, radio, and new media productions that enhance our understanding of California and its cultures, peoples, and histories. Apply here.

 

Queens Council on the Arts

Deadline: October 9, 2014

The Queens Arts Fund offers grants to Queens-based individual artists and non-profit organizations offering distinctive arts and cultural programming that directly serves the citizens of Queens. Apply here.

 

The Frameline Completion Fund
Deadline: October 31, 2014
Provides grants to emerging and established filmmakers. The program seeks to provide a much-needed source of financial contributions to artists who often struggle to secure funding to complete their works. Apply here.

 

Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) BRIO Individual Artist grant

Deadline: November 5, 2014

The BCA/DCA Arts Fund Regrant Program provides project support grants up to $5,000 for small arts organizations with budgets of $100,000 or less, and whose central mission is the production, preservation, publication, presentation or demonstration of one or more art forms. See more information here.

 

Trust for Mutual Understanding
Deadline for Initial Inquiry: November 1, 2014
TMU provides grants specifically for international travel associated with professional exchanges in the arts and environmental sciences. Approximately two-thirds of TMU's awards are for arts and culture and one-third for environmental projects. See more information here.

Tribeca Film Institute

Deadline: November 5, 2014

TFI empowers filmmakers through grants and professional development, and is a resource for and supporter of individual artists in the field. Find out more here.

 

 
UPCOMING FESTIVAL DEADLINES

International Film Festival Rotterdam (IDFA)

Deadline: October 1 (short films completed after July 1, 2013)

Late Deadline: November 1 (feature length films)

One of the largest public film events in the world, International Film Festival Rotterdam actively supports independent filmmaking from around the globe. Apply here.

 

Slamdance Film Festival

Late deadline: October 9 

Extended deadline: October 16

Slamdance serves as a showcase for the discovery of new and emerging talent in the film industry; it is also the only major film festival fully programmed by filmmakers. Apply here.

 

Big Sky Documentary Festival

Late Deadline: October 14

Extended: October 25 

This competitive event in Missoula, Montana, screens world and U.S. premieres and is open to nonfiction films and videos of all styles, subjects, and lengths. More info here

 

Tribeca Film Festival

Early Deadline: October 18

Official: November 29

Late Deadline: December 27

The Festival's mission is to help filmmakers reach the broadest possible audience, enable the international film community and general public to experience the power of cinema and promote New York City as a major filmmaking center. Apply here.

 

Santa Barbara International Film Festival

Late Deadline: November 7

Drop Deadline: December 12

Given its knack for predicting Academy Award� winners, a proximal distance to Los Angeles and timing close to the big event, this year the Santa Barbara International Film Festival will once again establish itself as the preeminent Oscar� film festival. Apply here.

 

True/False Film Fest

Late Deadline: October 29

Extended Deadline: November 5

The festival highlights innovative work with a cinematic scope, creative takes on contemporary currents, and most of all work that provokes dialogue about its subject and the documentary form itself. Apply here.

 

Seattle International Film Festival

Early Deadline: October 6

Regular Deadline: November 3

Final Deadline: January 5, 2015 

One of the largest and most highly attended film festivals in the United States, with 250 feature/documentary films and 150 short films, SIFF has an audience of over 155,000 annually, and is consistently cited as one of the best "audience festivals" in the world. Apply here.


Full Frame Documentary Film Festival

Regular Deadline: October 15

Late Deadline: December 15

Full Frame serves the documentary form and its community by showcasing the contemporary work of established and emerging filmmakers. The festival provides a space that nurtures conversation between artists, students, and the Full Frame Audience. Apply here.

 

Hot Docs Documentary Film Festival

Early Deadline: November 19

Regular Deadline: December 10

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival is North America's largest documentary festival. It is a national, charitable organization dedicated to advancing and celebrating the art of documentary. Apply here.

 

Palm Springs International Film Festival

Early Deadline: September 2

Regular Deadline: October 7

Now entering its 26th year, the Palm Springs International Film Festival has a well-established reputation as one of the most prestigious and well-attended film festivals in the country. Apply here.


South by Southwest Film Festival

Early Deadline: October 2

Regular Deadline: October 30

Late Deadline: November 13

The SXSW Film Conference & Festival champions the vitality, innovation and opportunity that drive entertainment and media, and boldly tackles the evolution of all aspects of "film" today, down to its very definition. Apply here.


Women Make Movies gratefully acknowledges the support of our funders: The National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. 



DCA

theatrical
THE SUPREME PRICE to be released in theaters October 3 in NYC & LA

"THE SUPREME PRICE is a deeply profound and beautiful experience, and an integral film to watch."  - Indiewire

 

Critically acclaimed documentary THE SUPREME PRICE premieres in NYC & LA this October. This powerful film explores Nigeria's tumultuous political history while profiling the work of Hafsat Abiola as she fights for democracy and women's rights in her country. Director Joanna Lipper will be in attendance for Q&A at the Sunday, Oct. 5th screenings in NYC: 5:10pm7:20pm!  
 
 
 

 

gathrHost a screening of I AM A GIRL at a city near you with Gathr Films

2014 WMM New Release and four-time Australian Academy Award nominee I AM A GIRL chronicles the journey of young women around the world facing the obstacles, trials, hopes and dreams unique in growing up female in the challenging 21st Century. 

You can now take part in bringing this award winning documentary to your hometown!

 

I AM A GIRL and Women Make Movies have partnered with Theatrical-On-Demand distribution company Gathr Films to allow individuals everywhere the ability to host screening events for their friends, family and community! Requesting a screening is free and easy. Simply click on the link below to get started. Gathr events can only happen when ticket goals are met, so we will need your help to spread the word!

 

A host of activities is slated to promote girl empowerment and expression in the 11 days leading up to International Day of the Girl. I AM A GIRL, will be prominently branded on a Day of Action October 4. The documentary is the Signature Film Partner for the International Day of the Girl Summit (October 1-11 in New York City). 

 

Follow this link and click Gathr It! to become a Movie Captain of a new I AM A GIRL screening today!


festivalsWMM Films at Film Festivals


Raindance Film Festival, Sept. 25-Oct. 5, London UK: THE SUPREME PRICE European Premiere! Director Joanna Lipper's beautiful photographs of women in Nigeria are currently on exhibition at The Telegraph's digital gallery, see them here

 

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, Oct. 10-19: LIGHT FLY, FLY HIGH 

 

Tall Grass Film Festival, Oct. 15-19: LIGHT FLY, FLY HIGH and THE SUPREME PRICE  

 

Heartland Film Festival, Oct.16-25: LIGHT FLY, FLY HIGH and PRIVATE VIOLENCE 

 

United Nations Association Film Festival Oct. 16-26: We have multiple films this year including MY STOLEN REVOLUTIONKINGS POINTI AM A GIRL & THE SUPREME PRICE

 

Margaret Mead Film Festival, Oct. 23-26: KISMET has its U.S. Premiere! The screening is Friday, Oct 24 at the Museum of Natural History. 


 

IDA
IDA Documentary Film Conference 2014: 
Getting Real


GETTING REAL is a 3-day national conference for documentary filmmakers and industry professionals. The IDA Conference begins today, Tuesday, Sept. 30 through Thursday, Oct. 2 in Los Angeles. 

WMM Executive Director Debra Zimmerman will be speaking at two panels at the IDA Conference: "When Impact Meets Distribution" and "Money Talks (and Listens)".  

WMM board members will also be in attendance, Esther Robinson and Tina DiFeliciantonio, as well as Production Assistance Program filmmaker Dawn Porter to keynote. See the schedule here and use #docsgetreal to start a conversation! 


conferences


We are very excited for this year's National Media Market (NMM) Conference in Charleston, South Carolina! NMM is the premier conference for educational media acquisitions and technology. 
Amy Aquilino, Distribution & Sales Coordinator and Emily Sternlicht, Marking & Outreach Coordinator will be in attendance at the NMM Conference November 8-12. Come by our table and talk to us about our new slate of WMM films! We will be on the third floor in Room 303. See you there!

 

workshop
Fall Workshop Series Returns

We have an exciting new slate of workshops this fall, that speak to all stages from development to distribution including two fundraising workshops, broadcast strategies, and an informative look at how to find a broadcast home on PBS and more. Develop the skills you need to make your film a success! 

Wednesday, October 1st

Fundraising: An Essential Overview of the Basics with Tracie Holder

Fundraising for documentaries can be intimidating and even overwhelming for those who are new to it. This workshop is designed for filmmakers who have not yet completed a funding proposal, identified a likely project funder or pitched a project to a potential funder or broadcaster. 


Wednesday, October 15th

PBS Beyond POV and Independent Lens

While POV and Independent Lens may get most of the attention,there are other critically-acclaimed, award-winning documentary series on PBS such as AfroPop and America ReFramed that offer filmmakers the chance to reach a national audience. 


Thursday, October 30th

Meet the Funder: Gucci Tribeca and Tribeca All Access

Ryan Harrington, Vice President, Artist Programs at the Tribeca Film Institute, will discuss the Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund and Tribeca All Access. Gucci Tribeca provides finishing funds to feature-length documentaries which highlight and humanize global issues of social importance.  

Visit our website for the full schedule of fall workshops.

Interns
We Are Seeking Winter/Spring Interns

 

Internships are still available for the Winter/Spring 2015 term in our distribution, marketing, production assistance/fiscal sponsorship, and administration departments

 

The ideal candidates will be studying film/cinema studies and/or women/gender studies and have an interest in human rights and social justice issues. 

 

Qualified candidates will demonstrate excellent communication skills; strong organizational skills; the ability to multi-task, work independently and work well under pressure; and will take initiative. Familiarity with Internet research, Microsoft Office Suite, and PC platforms is necessary. Knowledge of and interest in feminist media a plus.

 

All candidates must submit an Internship Application form, resume, and references. Internship application found here

 

Benefits & Compensation

All WMM internship positions are unpaid. However, interns qualify for and have access to a number of services and benefits:

* Local travel reimbursement

* Free workshop attendance

* Free access to screen titles from the WMM collection

* College or University course credit

 

Spread the word!

 

ConfRoom 
Women Make Movies Conference Room 
Available to Rent!


 

Our beautiful, fully equipped conference/screening room is centrally located on 29th Street and 6th Avenue in NYC. The room is available hourly, 24/7, and seats between 25-30 people depending on desired setup.

 

Room includes: 60" plasma monitor, PC/Mac/iPad hookups, DVD player and WiFi.

 

Rates: Prices vary from $35-$50 an hour, depending on use needs and day/time.
 

Please contact [email protected] for more information on rates and booking.

 

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About WMM:

Since our beginnings in 1972, WMM has grown from a feminist filmmakers' collective into an industry-leading nonprofit media arts organization and distributor. For over 40 years, WMM has transformed the landscape of filmmaking for women directors and producers, bringing the issues facing women around the world to screens everywhere. Now, with more than 550 films in our catalog, including Academy�, Emmy�, Peabody and Sundance nominees and award winners, WMM is the largest distributor of films by and about women in the world.

Women Make Movies. By Women. About Women. For Everyone.