Call for applicants: imagineNATIVE & LIFT 7th Annual Mentorship Program

The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival and the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) are offering an opportunity for emerging Indigenous filmmakers in the Toronto region to create a 5-minute short film. You'll be given mentorship by LIFT staff, access to their facilities and equipment, 1200 feet of film stock from Kodak, post-production services and a bursary for production costs.

To apply, all you will need to provide are a one-page short film idea, a half to one-page statement on why you want to participate and how you'd benefit, a short bio, and your contact info. Successful applicants will have an opportunity to screen their films at the 12^th Annual imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival in Toronto, which will take place October 19-23, 2011.

The deadline for applications is Friday, January 7, 2011 at 6pm.
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imagineNATIVE & LIFT
7th ANNUAL MENTORSHIP PROGRAM: CALL FOR APPLICANTS

(Indigenous artists around the GTA only)
~ Make a short film for imagineNATIVE 2011! ~

 Application Deadline: Friday, January 7, 2011 by 6PM

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 to film, and see them on screen at the 12^th Annual imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, which will take place in Toronto from October 19-23, 2011!

You will be provided with a LIFT Membership, and be eligible to enroll in any film production and post-production training workshop offered during their Winter/Spring and Summer 2011 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 tape by September 26, 2011.

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 budgeting section of 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 bursary towards production costs (minimum $500).  1200 feet of 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 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 2011.  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:
Ø    One-page short film idea.
Ø    A half to one-page statement on why you would like to participate and how you would benefit from this mentorship.
Ø    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. 
Ø    Contact info, including email, mailing address and phone number.
Ø    Email to LIFT@imagineNATIVE.org or FAX to: (416) 585-2313.

Should you have additional questions, please call Kerry Potts at (416) 585-2333 or kpotts@imagineNATIVE.org

The deadline for submissions is Friday January ^7th, 2011 by 6PM

 About the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto
The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) is an artist-run production and educational media arts organization dedicated to celebrating excellence in the moving image. 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.
www.LIFT.on.ca

About the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, now in its 12^th year, is an international festival that celebrates the latest works by Indigenous peoples on the forefront of innovation in film, video, radio and new media. Each fall, the festival presents a selection of the most compelling and distinctive Indigenous works from around the globe. The festival's screenings, parties, panel discussions, and cultural 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 Oct. 19-23^rd, 2011.
www.imagineNATIVE.org

For more information: www.imagineNATIVE.org