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 is Film Independent's signature diversity program, dedicated to increasing cultural diversity in the filmindustry by cultivating the careers of under-represented filmmakers.The program, which runs from October through June, selects filmmakersfrom culturally diverse backgrounds and filmmaking tracks. The Fellowsare paired one-on-one with a mentor from the film industry. In additionto the mentorship, the Fellows also attend filmmaking workshops,community screenings, and receive career development assistance.
During the nine-month program, the Fellows are assigned a 2-minuteshort film project. They work in pairs to develop and shoot a shortfilm that incorporates the concept of diversity in our every day life.
40 Fellows are selected for the program each year.
Project:Involve Fellows receive:
- A one-year membership with Film Independent
- A pass to the Los Angeles Film Festival (Westwood Pass)
- Alumni support
Applications are accepted in the following categories:
Acquisitions, Acting, Agent/Manager, Cinematography, Composing,Costume Design, Development Exec, Directing, Documentary, Editing,Entertainment Law, Film Programming, Marketing/Distribution, Music,Producing, Production Design, Screenwriting, Sound, andWriter/Director.
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)
Richard Chew (editor, Star Wars)
Kasi Lemmons (writer/director, Talk to Me)
Christopher Nolan (director, Batman Begins)
Alexander Payne (writer/director, Sideways)
John Toll (cinematographer, The Last Samurai)
Jessica Yu (documentarian, In the Realms of the Unreal)
HOW TO APPLY
To be eligible, applicants must submit a completed application form,a statement of interest, a resume, two (2) letters of recommendations,and an application fee (cheques should be made payable to FilmIndependent).
Project:Involve is made possible by the support of the City of LosAngeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the Los Angeles County ArtsCommission, Kodak, HBO, Sony Pictures, Hollywood Foreign PressAssociation, and James Irvine Foundation.
WHAT SELECTION CRITERIA ARE USED IN EVALUATING PROJECT:INVOLVE SUBMISSION?
Applicants must meet Project:Involve's goals of increasing culturaldiversity in the film industry. Strong consideration will be given tothe following:
- Individuals who come from communities severely under-represented 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 FilmIndependent's Talent Development programs. Film Independent offersProject:Involve as a mentorship opportunity where filmmakers in allcapacities 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.
