Call for Proposals: Expanding North Residency Program

THE LIAISON OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS OF TORONTO (LIFT)
ANNOUNCES CALL FOR PROPOSALS: “EXPANDING NORTH” RESIDENCY PROGRAM
WITH LIFT, BALTIC ANALOGUE LAB, FILMVERKSTADEN and POLAR FILM LAB

Toronto, December 13, 2023 (Updated January 4, 2024)—The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) is pleased to announce its participation in the collaborative project “Expanding North,” alongside Baltic Analog Lab from Latvia, Filmverkstaden from Finland and Polar Film Lab from Norway. “Expanding North” is designed to unite artist-run film labs and cultural institutions that support the production, education and dissemination of expanded cinematic art within the Nordic region and beyond. We are defining expanded cinema as an artistic genre that explores and incorporates traditional cinematic principles (for example: continuation of movement, projection of light, cinema devices) into its process or performance.

As a partner in this project LIFT will be hosting the “Expanding North: LIFT Artist Residency.” The residency will run for four consecutive weeks between March and May 2024—exact dates dependent on the selected residents’ availability. The residency is intended to give the selected participant the opportunity to develop their technical skills and knowledge related to analogue filmmaking using the equipment and facilities at LIFT, as well as the time and space to produce a work of expanded cinema. This residency will run concurrently with another “Expanding North: LIFT Artist Residency,” for which the selected resident will be chosen by another partner in the project. At the completion of their residency, both “Expanding North” residents will have an opportunity to exhibit their work.

This call is open to artists from all disciplines interested in developing their practice within the genre of expanded cinema. Given the “Expanding North’s focus on exploring regional specificity across diverse circumpolar contexts, priority will be given to residency applicants who are Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, and/or Inuit) and whose practice reflects on or challenges traditional conceptions of “Home” and “The North.”

Due to funding requirements, the selected applicant must be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, Newcomer (in Canada for less than 7 years without permanent residency) or Refugee (a person who was forced to leave their home country and is now located in Canada).

The selected applicant will receive:
– In-kind equipment and facilities rentals to a maximum of $3,000 CAD
– $750 CAD used towards purchasing film stock from the LIFT store
– Artist salary and presentation fee of $750 CAD and $375 CAD respectively
– $2,500 Stipend for accommodation and per diem during residency
– Up to $1,000 to be used towards travel to Toronto if necessary

Proposals must include:
– Please include how you intend to engage the local community during your residency, how LIFT can help create access to equipment and facilities and how your project will explore themes of “Home” and “The North” (500 words maximum)
– Curriculum vitae. (2 pages maximum)
– Proposed budget*** including funding sources for materials. (2 pages maximum)
– Visual support material of past work. Do not send originals, documentation will not be returned. (Up to three (3) examples maximum)
– Please identify any accessibility accommodations you need so we can support you through the application process and into the project phase

*** Budgets must include a detailed list of all the revenue sources, pending or confirmed, and the amount requested from each source. Please provide your own budget, even in simplified form.

Application can be submitted at the following Google Forms link:
https://forms.gle/cHsTzDTd4nSPFx1W6

Extended Deadline: Monday, January 22, 2024 at 10:00am ET

Questions can be emailed to:
LIFT Executive Director Chris Kennedy at director@lift.ca
Subject Heading: Call for Proposals for “Expanding North” Residency – First and Last Name

Submissions sent through Google Forms are preferred.

However, if you would prefer to apply via physical mail for accessibility purposes, please mail applications to: ***
“Expanding North” Residency
c/o Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT)
1137 Dupont Street
Toronto, Ontario M6H 2A3

*** Physical application must reach the LIFT office before the deadline

Baltic Analog Lab (BAL) is an artist collective and filmlab based in Riga, Latvia. It was founded in 2016. Uniting filmmakers and photographers interested in analog film and photography, Baltic Analog Lab aims to produce, teach and inspire an audience by providing a space for creation, learning and teaching. It is equipped for shooting, processing, editing and screening of 16mm and 8mm film, and also for analog photography. There are two darkrooms, one studio area for work and one dark screening space. The high focus of the lab is education and collaboration; this is maintained by regular workshops led by BAL members and foreigner guests. It also includes film screenings and expanded cinema events. https://www.balticanaloglab.lv

Filmverkstaden is an artist-run filmlab and darkroom in Vaasa, Finland. We do motion picture 35mm, 16mm, S8 and still photography in different formats. https://www.filmverkstaden.fi

Polar Film Lab is an analogue film Lab in Tromsø providing working facilities and a network around analogue filmmaking. https://polarfilmlab.com/en

The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) is Canada’s foremost artist-run production and education 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. LIFT is supported by its membership, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Ontario Arts Foundation, the Government of Ontario and the Toronto Arts Council. https://lift.ca

Wednesday 13 December 2023 – Monday 22 January 2024

Non-members: Free to apply
Members: Free to apply

Location:
Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) 
1137 Dupont Street 
Toronto Canada