Deadline: 1 August 2015
Open to: talented and creative filmmakers from MENA and Non-MENA countries
Grants: development grants range from USD 5,000 to USD 20,000; production and post-production grants range from USD 10,000 to USD 100,000
Description
The Doha Film Institute (DFI) is Qatar’s first international organisation dedicated to film appreciation, film education, and to building a sustainable film industry in Qatar. DFI is committed to nurturing regional storytellers, while being entirely global in its scope. With culture, community, education and entertainment at its foundation, DFI is an all-encompassing film hub in Doha, and a film resource for the region, and the world.
The goals of the Doha Film Institute Grants Programme are to identify new talents, seek out new cinematic voices and discover universally resonant stories. The Institute’s is looking for projects whose focus is to explore, expand and cultivate authentic storytelling, with a keen interest in propelling forward contemporary work that demonstrates a deep understanding of the specific possibilities of the medium of cinema.
There are two submission cycles annually. The next cycle opens 18 July, 2015 and closes at midnight (GMT+3) on 1 August, 2015.
Eligibility
Talented and creative filmmakers from MENA and Non-MENA countries are eligible to apply if they fulfill the following criteria:
- For the purposes of the Programme, short films are defined as up to 30 minutes in duration and feature films are defined as 65 minutes or longer in duration;
- One director may be named for only one project per Programme session;
- Producers from the MENA region are limited to two applications per Programme session, each application must have a separate director attached. All other producers are limited to one application per session;
- Applications for production or post-production funding for feature-length projects must have a producer and production company attached;
- Projects that have received development funding in prior Programme sessions are eligible to apply for post-production funding only. Projects that have received production funding in prior sessions are not eligible to apply for post-production funding;
- Previously submitted projects that did not received funding are eligible to reapply. Re-submissions for the same stage of funding must be accompanied by a detailed report of all applicable changes;
- Funding for experimental and essay projects is available to Qatar and MENA applicants only;
- A director who has completed a feature-length film cannot apply for funding for a short film;
- A director applying for funding for a feature film must have completed at least one short film;
- If a project is co-directed, both directors must be first- or second-time filmmakers.
Grants
Grants are divided into two groups:
Short Films (up to 30 min):
Narrative
- Development up to USD 5,000;
- Production up to USD 15,000;
- Post-Production: up to USD 10,000.
Documentary
- Development up to USD 5,000;
- Production up to USD 12,500;
- Post-Production up to USD 7,500.
Experimental and Essay Films
- Development up to USD 5,000;
- Production/Post-Production: up to USD 10,000.
Feature Films (65 minutes or longer):
Narrative
- Development up to USD 20,000;
- Production up to USD 100,000;
- Post-Production up to USD 75,000.
Documentary
- Development up to USD 15,000;
- Production up to USD 75,000;
- Post-Production up to USD 50,000.
Experimental and Essay Films
- Development up to USD 10,000;
- Production/Post-Production up to USD 30,000.
How to apply?
The application process must be done online trough DFI website. Following this rules:
- Supporting documentation may be submitted in Arabic and/or English during Stage 1. Should your project be shortlisted, any documents submitted in Arabic including scripts and/or treatments, must then be provided in English;
- All non-Arabic-language projects must be submitted in English;
- If English-language documents are translations, applicants are welcome to submit the original language versions as well;
- Whenever possible, previous works and rough cuts that are not in English should be submitted with English subtitles;
- Additional relevant materials are welcome;
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.
The funding process is divided in two stages:
Stage 1: The artistic material and the director’s previous work(s) are reviewed. DFI will notify applicants within two months of the submission deadline informing them whether their project has been shortlisted or not;
Stage 2: Further financial and marketing material must be submitted to DFI within one week of notification of inclusion on the shortlist, and the Programme Jury will thereafter carefully evaluate shortlisted projects. Final decisions will be announced within two months of the commencement of this evaluation process.
Deadline for applying is 1 August 2015.
For more information please check the guideline or visit the official website.
