Hi all, thanks for your patience—this is mostly a one-woman show so sometimes things don’t move at the pace we’d all like them to. However! See below, please distribute far and wide, and we can’t wait to see your entries! I will be announcing this year’s judges next week. —Mikki
Sarah Jacobson Film Grant
2011 Call for Entries and
Film Festival Announcement!
http://www.sjfilmgrant.wordpress.com
This year we plan to give out three grants to support projects in any stage of completion from pre-production through distribution. The amounts will be between $1000 and $2000.
We are also planning a film/video/media festival for early 2012, in conjunction with the rad feminist group Permanent Wave. All work samples submitted will be considered for the festival as well.
(We won’t screen without your permission though!)
NOTE THAT THE DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 31.
We are open to films of any length and genre, from documentary to experimental to narrative. What we are looking for are projects that in some way embody Sarah’s spirit and represent the values that she articulated in her work — powerful representations of women, a do-it-yourself approach to filmmaking and life, and a passionate commitment to advancing equality without sacrificing fun. I want to note that last year we awarded grants to three documentaries that were all pretty big in scope—definitely don’t take that as a bellwether, look back at all the past winners and you will see very experimental pieces, shorts, etc.
We award grants to projects at any stage of production, including post, but not for marketing or publicity or distribution or distribution strategies. After the jump is the list of what you need to enter. And I like to post Tamra’s video every year for inspiration.
To apply for the grant, please mail the following materials to The Sarah Jacobson Film Grant postmarked by December 31, 2011. No exceptions. Do not send more material than requested.
Winners will be announced in February
1. A synopsis/treatment of the project you wish to fund (no more than 3 pages). This should include a detailed description of the film — its subject, style, and structure—and of your intended audience and distribution strategy. Please also explain why your project is appropriate for this grant. Send 6 copies.
2. A simple one-page budget for the project. Also include a paragraph describing other funding you have received for this project and how you would use the money from this grant. Send 6 copies.
3. A short bio for the filmmaker with reliable contact information. Send 6 copies.
4. A single work sample: either a trailer or rough-cut of the project you’re applying for the grant with, or an example of previous work. The work sample should be on DVD. Send 6 copies.
5. A self-addressed stamped postcard if you would like to get notified that your stuff arrived.
6. A CLEARLY PRINTED sheet of contact information including your name, email, phone, and address.
Do not send more material than requested.
Do not send less material than requested.
Applications that do not have each and every thing on this list (except #5! That’s optional) will not be considered and they will not be returned. Come on you guys, there’s no application fee and these are simple. Please be respectful of our time, the judges time, and all of the energy and care that goes into your work and ours and follow these simple directions. It makes me sad in my spirit to get stuff that we can’t even consider.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE POST-MARKED BY DECEMBER 31, 2011
Check the grant web page for updates: http://www.sjfilmgrant.wordpress.com
Contact: sjfilmgrant@gmail.com
MAILING ADDRESS:
Sarah Jacobson Film Grant
c/o Mikki Halpin
583 Driggs Ave
Apt 4F
Brooklyn, NY 11211
APPLICATION FAQ!
Is there an application fee?
No.
How will I know if you got my application?
Send a stamped postcard or something with it and we’ll email you.
Can I just send you a link to my work?
No. Please send DVDs.
Can I just send you one DVD and you can make copies?
No, please send 6 DVDs as above.
I’ve made a lot of work! Can I send it all?
No, please just send 6 copies of a 20-minute work sample.
Do I have to be a woman to apply?
No, although we do look for work that is pro-woman, whether that’s through a queer lens or any other take.
Do I have to be a certain age to apply?
No.
When is the due date?
December 31, 2011
I’m closing comments here. Please read the instructions carefully and use your best judgment. Note the bolded section of #2. Also note this: We award grants to projects at any stage of production, including post, but not for marketing or publicity or distribution or distribution strategies. So if your project is in production, or in post, then apply, and indicate in your budget what you will be using the money for. Thanks.
i <3 Sarah Jacobson. I saw her speak in George Kuchar's class in the late 90's at the San Francisco Art Institute and her passion and insight still haunts and inspires me *
i <3 Sarah Jacobson. I saw her speak in George Kuchar's class in the late 90's at the San Francisco Art Institute and her passion and insight still haunts and inspires me *
+1
In question 3 you ask for reliable contact information and then ask for contact information in question 6. In question 3 are you asking for references? I just want to be clear and not leave out anything. Thank you.
Hi Tracey,
Item 3 is a short bio with contact information on it. Six copies. So there would be six pieces of paper and each one would have a short bio and contact info for the you/the filmmaker.
item 6 is one piece of paper with contact info only. Again, contact info for you/the filmmaker.
Hope that makes it clear!
Mikki
Thanks, that helps a lot. Just wanted to be on the same page.
Also, I have a 13 minute work sample. I see that you are requesting 20 minutes. Can I send my 13 minute?
Yes that’s fine.
My work sample is a short film just a few minutes long…I did not see the time limit till everything was all copied since in the main list it just says work sample and no time limit…does this disqualify me?
No worries Molly, just send it in!