INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY WORK-IN-PROGRESS COMPETITION
Docs in Progress is partnering with NomadsLand to curate a special virtual work-in-progress competition for short and feature documentaries from around the world which are seeking to gain valuable feedback at the rough cut stage of the editing process. Please see Hidden Section below for more details.
Show hidden contentABOUT THIS INITIATIVE
Since Docs in Progress first began screening documentary works in progress in 2004, we have become the place for documentary filmmakers from Washington DC and surrounding U.S. states to gain valuable feedback on their works in progress.
We often get queries from filmmakers from other parts of the country or the world about whether something similar exists in their cities. The reality is that there are only a handful of places where film organizations provide a space for filmmakers to get feedback at a critical point in their editing process. While the Internet has opened up a virtual space for such feedback, it is often difficult to find a way to target your audience to people who can provide truly constructive feedback.
We thought about a way to meld the two – to provide a means for filmmakers based anywhere to get feedback on their documentary rough cuts from a targeted audience which is educated, socially aware, and already conversant with the language of critique. Just the kind of audiences who typically come to our Docs in Progress workshops in Washington.
After talking with Davin Hutchins, the founder of NomadsLand, a new and growing Internet distribution hub for social media, we decided to collaborate on this virtual workshop.
We welcome submissions from filmmakers based anywhere.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Between now and January 4, 2008, filmmakers can upload a 10-minute segment of their documentary rough cut to NomadsLand.com. After meeting the minimum criteria, the segment will be available for public viewing. The general public can view each unfinished film, rate it, and write comments and constructive criticism.
From this group, ten films will be selected as Finalists and spotlighted on a special player on NomadsLand.com between January 7-February 1.
One short documentary work-in-progress (under 15 minutes) and one feature documentary work-in-progress (16-90 minutes) will be selected to screen in their entirety at a special Docs in Progress public workshop session to take place at Busboys and Poets in Washington DC on Sunday, February 10 with the filmmaker participating via Skype.
WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR CONSIDERATION?
- We accept submissions of both Documentary Shorts (under 15 minutes) and Documentary Features (16-90 minutes).
- Films must be at the rough cut stage. No trailers or completed works. Please note that only up to 10 minutes of a film can be uploaded to the website for competition consideration.
- Although we define "documentary" rather broadly and may screen documentaries with dramatized, experimental, political, or advocacy elements, we do not screen pure fiction films, mockumentaries, music videos, industrials, or works that are purely promotional in nature. We reserve the right to deactivate any film. Any offensive or purely pornographic material uploaded to the site will be deleted.
- Films in languages other than English must either be subtitled or dubbed in English.
- Filmmakers must be willing to allow up to 10 minutes of your film to be screened online for the general public to view. This initiative is clearly marked as a "work in progress" program if there are any concerns about it taking you out of consideration for other forms of exhibition or distribution.
- This is not exclusive. Filmmakers are also welcome to have the same content hosted on other sites.
- If selected as a winner, the filmmaker must be available to participate in a live feedback session with an audience in Washington DC on Sunday, February 10, 2008 between 19:00-22:30 (7:00-10:30 pm) U.S. Eastern Standard Time. We do not have funds to pay for filmmaker travel, but can patch filmmakers in via Skype (either Skype-to-Skype , Skype-to-Phone or Skype Webcam).
More information at Docs in Progress or NomadsLand
Questions? E-mail us at contact <at> docsinprogress.org
