Call for Applicants: LIFT and imagineNATIVE 12th annual Mentorship Program – Extended

Call for Applicants:

Call for Applicants:

LIFT and imagineNATIVE 12th annual Mentorship Program

Toronto, January 28, 2016—Do you have a great idea for a 5-minute short film? Celebrating 12 years of supporting independent Indigenous film, the LIFT/imagineNATIVE Mentorship program welcomes you to explore 16mm filmmaking through the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto’s (LIFT) workshops, equipment and facilities (other mediums may be employed). Shoot and edit your ideas on film, and see them on screen at the 17th anniversary celebrations of the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, which will take place in Toronto from October 18–23, 2016!

You will be provided with a Production Membership from LIFT until the end of the 2016 imagineNATIVE Festival, and be eligible to enroll in any training workshop offered during their Winter and Summer 2016 calendar (to a maximum $750). You will have the opportunity to work 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 as digital exhibition master by Friday, September 16, 2016.

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. 

Pending funding in June 2016, imagineNATIVE will provide a $1,000 bursary towards production costs. Assistance with other production support will also be provided, pending confirmation (in-kind, approximately a $750 value). All other associated costs are to be covered by the participant. The artist will also receive an artist fee for their screening during the imagineNATIVE 2016 Festival.

Eligibility Criteria:

– This call is open to Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit, other international Indigenous) candidates living in or near the Greater Toronto Area (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 2016. 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

– A Production schedule summary to meet the required final deliverables deadline.

Note: Print quality film stills and final synopsis will be required by Friday, July 29, 2016.

– Your biography (no resumes or curriculum vitaes please). Please be certain to indicate your past experience with film, video and other artistic mediums, if any, and your Indigenous affiliation

– How did you find out about the mentorship program

– Contact info, including email, mailing address and phone number

– Email documents to LIFT@imagineNATIVE.org 

Should you have additional questions, please contact Daniel Northway-Frank at 416.585.2333 or programming@imagineNATIVE.org

The EXTENDED deadline for submissions is Friday, February 26, 2016 by 12:00PM

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 celebrating its 15th 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 22–26, 2014 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. www.imagineNATIVE.org

Thursday 28 January 2016 –

Non-members: Free
Members: Free

Location:
Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto 
1137 Dupont Street 
Toronto ON Canada