9th Annual Mentorship Program: Call for Applicants

LIFT and imagineNATIVE

9th ANNUAL MENTORSHIP PROGRAM: CALL FOR APPLICANTS

Make a short film for imagineNATIVE 2013

Application Deadline: Friday, February 15, 2013 by 5:00PM

Do you have a great idea for a 5 minute short film? Explore 16mm filmmaking through LIFT’s workshops, equipment and facilities (other mediums may be employed). Shoot and edit your ideas on film, and see them on screen at the 14th annual imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, which will take place in Toronto from October 16–20, 2013!

You will be provided with a LIFT Membership, and be eligible to enroll in any training workshop offered during their Winter and Summer 2013 calendar. You will be paired with LIFT’s knowledgeable staff and a specially selected mentor to help you through your various development, production and post-production stages. imagineNATIVE will subsidize some additional costs related to your project, and facilitate aspects of your post-production stages.

Please note: Projects must be realistic in scope and subject matter as they must be completed and transferred to digital by September 25, 2013.

The participant will receive the opportunity to use LIFT’s extensive 16mm production equipment and facilities for their film. As every film is unique, equipment and facilities access will be established in the development phase (past equipment and facilities budgets have ranged from $500–$5,000). Any additional equipment, facilities, and production costs will be the responsibility of the participant.

imagineNATIVE will provide a $1,000 bursary towards production costs and 1,200 feet of 16mm film stock will be provided by Kodak. Assistance with transferring and processing will also be provided (approximately a $750 value). All other associated costs are to be covered by the participant. 

Eligibility Criteria:

• This call is open to Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit, other international Indigenous) candidates living in or near the GTA only
• Preference will be given to artists who have not had the opportunity to work in film                        (Note: you do not have to be a youth, but youth may also apply)
• Candidates must commit to attending the LIFT training workshops from March–August 2013. We strongly encourage applicants who are deadline driven and self-starters.
• You must live in Toronto or within commuting distance from the city in order to access LIFT workshops and equipment. Travel subsidy and cost of living are NOT covered by this mentorship.

Your Application Must Include:

• One-page short film idea
• A half to one-page statement on why you would like to participate and how you would benefit from this mentorship;
• Your bio (no resumes or CVs please). Please be certain to indicate your past experience with film, video and other artistic mediums, if any, and your Indigenous affiliation.
• Contact info, including email, mailing address and phone number.
• Email to LIFT@imagineNATIVE.org or Fax to 416.585.2313

Should you have additional questions, please call Isidra Cruz at 416.585.2333 or programming@imagineNATIVE.org

The deadline for submissions is FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013 by 5:00PM

About the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto

LIFT is an artist-run charitable organization dedicated to facilitating excellence in the moving image through media arts education and production resources. LIFT exists to provide support and encouragement for independent filmmakers and artists through affordable access to production, post-production and exhibition equipment; professional and creative development; workshops and courses; commissioning and exhibitions; artist-residencies; and a variety of other services. Founded in 1981 by a small collective, LIFT has since grown to become one of the foremost centres of its kind globally. www.lift.ca

About the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival

The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, now in its 14th year, is an international festival that celebrates the latest works by Indigenous peoples at the forefront of innovation in film, video, radio and new media. Each October, imagineNATIVE presents a selection of the most compelling and distinctive Indigenous works from around the globe. The Festival’s programming, industry events, panel discussions, and cultural and social events attract and connect filmmakers, media artists, programmers, buyers, and industry professionals. The works accepted reflect the diversity of the world’s Indigenous nations and illustrate the vitality and excellence of our art and culture in contemporary media. This year’s Festival runs October 16–20, 2013 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. www.imagineNATIVE.org