Open Call Deadline Two Weeks Away!

Hurry hurry hurry! If you need funding for your film, don’t miss the deadline for Open Call funding on Friday, August 6, 2010.

Open Call provides completion funds for single nonfiction public television programs on any subject and from any viewpoint. Projects must have begun production as evidenced by a work-in-progress video. Open Call funding is only available to independent producers who are citizens or legal residents of the U.S. and its external territories.

One question we get asked by many filmmakers concerns the previously completed work and work-in-progress requirements. If you’re still cutting, here are some tips on what to submit and what we’re looking for when we do our evaluations.
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Tags: funding, Open Call, programming, work-in-progress

Filmmaker Geeta Patel Searches for Love

One in a Billion, follows a 29-year-old Hindu man across the globe as he searches for a woman his parents will approve of. The film, by Indian American Directord Geeta Patel, was one of several projects selected by ITVS’s Open Call in 2009 (Note: this year’s deadline is August 6th!).

Ravi Patel is the star of the documentary, co-director on the project, and the filmmaker’s brother. Together, the Patel’s bring a comedic touch to the high-pressured world of arranged marriages.

Geeta Patel previously directed Project Kashmir, which aired last season on Independent Lens.

Learn more about One in Billion and the filmmaker from her interview below…

Tags: comedy, documentary, funding, geeta patel, hindu, ITVS, one in a billion, Open Call, PBS, project kashmir

Newly Funded: Films from Around the World

ITVS funds, distributes, and promotes new programs produced by independent producers primarily for public television and beyond.

We’re proud to announce the latest projects recently funded by ITVS. We look forward to working with each of the filmmakers to support their broadcast and continued effort to bring a diversity of programming to viewers.

Congratulations to all the filmmakers!

OPEN CALL

Wham! Bam! Islam!
by Isaac Solotaroff
Wham! Bam! Islam! follows one of the most intriguing stories to come out of the Middle East in recent memory: the creation of THE 99 — the first Muslim superheroes and brainchild of Kuwaiti Naif Al-Mutawa.  Following the story of THE 99’s creation and distribution throughout the Islamic world and Al-Mutawa’s emergence as a central figure in the raging debates over the role of religion and tradition in contemporary Muslim societies, Wham! Bam! Islam! is a powerful story about the challenges, risks and value of bridge building between Islam and the West at the dawn of the 21st century.
Co-production of ITVS

This Is Where We Take Our Stand
by Bestor Cram, Mike Majoros, and David Zeiger
This Is Where We Take Our Stand, conceived and shot as a verité production, tells the story of the multi-faceted struggle to organize Winter Soldier, a unique gathering of veterans and active duty soldiers.  The film weaves highly personal organizing experiences with four days of stunning testimony at the largest gathering of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.  The program concludes two years later with the disbanding of the army of anti-war veterans, struggling to move on with their lives back on the home front; some in disarray, some still on active duty, all changed by their commitments to serve their country.
Co-production of ITVS
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Tags: newly funded, Open Call

Ask Programming: Seven Tips When Applying for Funding

ITVS programming staff answer questions from filmmakers about the funding process:

Q: How can I improve my chances of being successful in the Open Call?

A. ITVS Programming staff recently contributed to an article for Shaking the Money Tree by Morrie Warshawski. Here are seven tips for producers when applying for funding from ITVS.

1. Read the guidelines and application instructions thoroughly and follow them. This tip sounds so simple and one should assume that it goes without saying –– but like any instruction manual, it is essential to go over the guidelines very carefully and to follow them before filling out the application.

Here are some other pieces of advice to keep in mind:

• Submit the proposal online, and ALSO submit the paper and required (video) materials –– some applicants do not submit their hard copy proposals and video materials and then they are disqualified.
• Deadlines are not flexible –– we need to receive them in the office by the deadline date or they will not be accepted.
• Read the fine print on the guidelines and application. The ITVS award is not a grant, it is a contract agreement, thus certain requirements and deliverables must be accepted (because of FCC guidelines, your project must adhere to broadcast standards).
• Do not submit extra materials –– letters of recommendation, graphics or illustrations, gifts or personal director statements are not required. The materials will be reviewed by staff and evaluators based on the required materials only.
• Use 12-point font –– don’t try to cram everything in your treatment pages because of limited space. The evaluators appreciate clear writing and size 12 font is easier on the eyes.

2. Budget your project realistically. If you under-budget your project, that does not mean that you have a greater chance of being approved. If you over-budget your project, this will be taken into account and can jeopardize the approval. Each initiative has different budget thresholds and is indicated in the guidelines. For example, Open Call does not require an itemized budget in the first phase, but does require that you indicate the request amount and what money has been already raised. The average request for Open Call is between $80,000 and 250,000 for a one-hour documentary.

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Tags: filmmaker resources, funding, Open Call

Filmmaker Pamela Yates Reflects on Open Call Orientation at ITVS

ITVS’s Open Call orientation concluded last week. Pamela Yates, filmmaker of Granito, gives an overview on her experience and why she is excited about working with ITVS and presenting her film on public television. Get her take below.

Pamela Yates

Open Call funded filmmakers.

The first thing that struck me at the ITVS Producer’s Orientation was the force. The force of dozens of people working as one to help get my film made, to get it broadcast and to have it make the greatest possible impact in the wider world.

It wasn’t always so. Richard O’Connell, director of production, gave a salient presentation recounting the little-known history of filmmakers coming together in 1984 –– and working for five years to create an independent television service by, for and about independent filmmakers. It was a bold, creative strategy to take government funds already earmarked for independent production on public television (but usurped by executive producers of the big series), and create a body to get it to individual filmmakers. I was one of those young filmmakers who worked to create ITVS — to ensure an eclectic vision, a diversity of voices, and a filmic exploration into the American psyche.

We opened the door. Then an amazing number of dedicated and talented people walked through it during the past twenty years and brought their own ideas to an organization that has become a vibrant contributor to the field of independent filmmaking and an essential player in the explosion of the documentary genre.

Let me tell you about some of the insights I gained about ITVS over the past few days.

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Tags: film resources, filmmakers, Open Call

Ravi Patel Discusses His First Open Call Orientation

ITVS’s Open Call provides finishing funds for single non-fiction or animation public television programs on any subject and from any viewpoint. This week, ITVS hosted 17 filmmakers who were recently awarded Open Call funding. Ravi Patel, writer, director, and subject of the film One in a Billion, shares his thoughts about his first several days at ITVS.

Ravi Patel, writer, director, and subject of One in a Billion.

It’s day three of my first relationship with ITVS. My best exposure to the doc world prior to ITVS was somewhat vicarious –– I live with my sister in Los Angeles, and her last film Project Kashmir was also with ITVS. And now, for the first time, here I am. Making a doc. Working with ITVS. Blogging. In retrospect, just days ago, I was nothing.

Flashback To Day One:

So excited!! It’s 9:00 AM and time for a group breakfast. Tired, I chose coffee, orange juice, and a banana… And half a bagel. And some grapes… I looked around –– Whoa. What is this?

My sister and I are making what I guess you would call a romantic comedy documentary. It’s called One in a Billion and we follow my love life… and my relationship with my family. Yes, odd, weird, crazy… But here’s my point: there is no typical ITVS film, no set agenda, no studio jumping down your throat about what’s going to make it big at the box office. ITVS is about telling important and great stories, and using any creative measure to do it.

Open Call filmmakers listen to a presentation about communication services.

What stands out to me are the people who work in this place. I mean, they seem genuinely happy to be here. What is going on? It’s like my birthday or something. We walk around and everyone has seen our film, has thoughts on it, wants to discuss how we are going to package it, distribute it… This is amazing. I have had to subject my friends to these kinds of conversations, but the people here at the country of ITVS are actually interested. The rest of the day was pretty intense, as we went through budget, contracts, media, etc. I really loved learning about the history of public television, something I had no idea about. Coffee coupled with first-day-of-school jitters had me at dangerously high energy levels. An hour later, I crashed. Images blurring. Regret coupled with desperate gulps of water. Too much water. Constant bathroom breaks. Day one was awesome.

That night we got an opportunity to see trailers and short presentations of all the filmmakers’ projects. That’s when it hit me: I am SO lucky. I am surrounded by some of the hottest filmmakers in the world. The filmmakers surrounding me were inspiring beyond words, real ballers. And the content they were producing ranged in topic from global health to soul food to graphic novels in the Middle East to revolutionary leaders. What an incredible slate of films! The ITVS team and the filmmakers are such kind, interesting, passionate people. Thanks ITVS! Thank you so much. Quick question: How did I get in here?

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Tags: film resources, filmmakers, Open Call

ITVS Open Call Funding: Deadline January 15

Looking for film funding? Don’t miss out on Open Call, which provides finishing funds for single non-fiction or animation public television programs on any subject and from any viewpoint. Projects must have begun production as evidenced by a work-in-progress video.

The deadline for Open Call funding is Friday, January 15, 2010. Due dates are not postmark deadlines and all materials must arrive at ITVS by 5:00 PM.

Find more information about guidelines and how to apply >>

Have additional questions about Open Call? Email jonathan_archer@itvs.org or call 415-356-8383 x284.

Looking for advice on how to write a treatment? Click on the “continue reading” button below to get some insider tips.

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Tags: film funding, film resources, Open Call

Apply for ITVS Open Call Funding: Deadline January 15

Looking for film funding? ITVS funds, distributes and promotes new programs primarily for public television. We work with independent producers to create and present programs that take creative risks, advance issues and represent points of view not usually seen on public or commercial television.

Open Call provides finishing funds for single non-fiction or animation public television programs on any subject and from any viewpoint. Projects must have begun production as evidenced by a work-in-progress video.

The deadline for Open Call funding is Friday, January 15, 2010. Due dates are not postmark deadlines and all materials must arrive at ITVS by 5:00 PM.

Find more information about guidelines and how to apply >>

Have additional questions about Open Call? Email jonathan_archer@itvs.org or call 415-356-8383 x284.

Tags: film funding, film resources, Open Call

Apply for ITVS Open Call Funding: Deadline January 15

Looking for film funding? ITVS funds, distributes and promotes new programs primarily for public television. We work with independent producers to create and present programs that take creative risks, advance issues and represent points of view not usually seen on public or commercial television.

Open Call provides finishing funds for single non-fiction or animation public television programs on any subject and from any viewpoint. Projects must have begun production as evidenced by a work-in-progress video.

The deadline for Open Call funding is Friday, January 15, 2010. Due dates are not postmark deadlines and all materials must arrive at ITVS by 5:00 PM.

Find more information about guidelines and how to apply >>

Interested in seeing what’s been funded recently? Watch videos of filmmakers discussing their projects >>

Have additional questions about Open Call? Email jonathan_archer@itvs.org or call 415-356-8383 x284.

Tags: film resources, Open Call

Filmmaker Shukree Hassan Tilghman Discusses MORE THAN A MONTH

ITVS funds, distributes and promotes new programs produced by independent producers primarily for public television and beyond.

Check out the clip below with filmmaker Shukree Hassan Tilghman, who received Open Call funds for MORE THAN A MONTH, a tongue-in-cheek film about his cross-country campaign to end Black History Month. The film looks at what the treatment of history tells us about race and equality in a “post-racial” America. Learn more about his film, which filmmakers inspire him and the challenges of exploring this topic.

Find more information about Open Call funding >>

Tags: African American, Black History Month, Open Call, race