Film Independent's Project: Involve
Deadline: February 23, 2009.
The application is in PDF format and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open it.
Click here for a free download of Adobe Reader.
WHAT IS PROJECT:INVOLVE?
Project:Involve (P:I) is Film Independent's signature mentorship program, dedicated to supporting diversity in the film industry.
Project: Involve nurtures the careers of talented underrepresented filmmakers by providing:
- One-on-one mentorships with film industry professionals
- Production-based curriculum that results in the creation of short films about diversity
- Master workshops taught by top film artists
- Community screenings of independent films - many of which have been made by underrepresented filmmakers, including P:I alumni
- High profile showcase of short films made by P:I alumni and presented at Disney Hall's Redcat
- Career development training and industry networking designed to help emerging filmmakers sustain their careers.
P:I is tuition-free and therefore highly competitive. Forty P:I Fellows are selected each year. The program runs October through June.
Project:Involve Fellows receive:
- A one-year membership with Film Independent
- A pass to the Los Angeles Film Festival
- Alumni support
Applications are accepted in the following categories:
To better serve our core constituency, P:I has re-focused its curriculum and resources to address the career/artistic needs of Directors, Producers, Writers, and Documentarians. Applications are accepted in those categories.
Other categories, such as cinematographers and editors, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Past Project:Involve Fellows include:
Effie T. Brown (P:I 1993) - Real Women Have Curves
Jon M. Chu (P:I 2002) - Step Up 2 the Streets
Jennifer Phang (P:I 2000) - Half-Life
Past mentors include:
Stephanie Allain (producer, Hustle and Flow)Gregg Araki (director, Mysterious Skin)
Patricia Cardoso (director, Real Women Have Curves)
Kasi Lemmons (writer/director, Talk to Me)
Christopher Nolan (director, Batman Begins)
Alexander Payne (writer/director, Sideways)
Jessica Yu (documentarian, In the Realms of the Unreal)
HOW TO APPLY
To be eligible, applicants must submit a completed application form, statement of interest, resume, two (2) letters of recommendations, and an application fee (checks should be made payable to Film Independent).
Project:Involve is made possible, in part, by grants from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the James Irvine Foundation, Kodak, HBO, Sony Pictures, and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
WHAT SELECTION CRITERIA ARE USED IN EVALUATING PROJECT:INVOLVE SUBMISSIONS?
Applicants must meet Project:Involve's goals of increasing diversity in the film industry. Strong consideration will be given to the following:
- Individuals who come from communities severely underrepresented in the film industry
- Quality of their projects
- Individuals who demonstrate passion, vision, talent, and commitment to pursuing a career in filmmaking
- Individuals who demonstrate a high level of responsibility and professionalism
- Individuals who are just starting out in their careers
WHAT DOES IT COST TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM?
Aside from the application fee, there is no tuition to attend Film Independent's Talent Development programs. Film Independent offers Project:Involve as a mentorship opportunity where emerging filmmakers can develop their craft and/or projects.
DEADLINES AND FEES
Deadline: February 23, 2009.
$55 Film Independent members
$75 Non-members
The application is in PDF format and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open it. Click here for a free download of Adobe Reader.
For more information, please contact Project:Involve at 310.432.1280 or ProjectInv@FilmIndependent.org.
Got questions? We've got answers.
Click here for Project:Involve FAQs.
