Whilst today is the last day to submit interactive projects to Sheffield Doc Fest (Deadline 11pm GMT!) there are plenty of other funds, festivals and development labs that are still open.
The following are a few upcoming deadlines:
Visible Evidence XXII
Extended deadline: Monday 23 February
This first call is positioned more for the academics amongst us: Visible Evidence, the international conference on documentary film and media, now in its 22nd year, will convene August 19-23rd, 2015 in Toronto, Canada. It will address the history, theory, and practice of documentary and non-fiction cinema, television, video, audio recording, digital media, photography, and performance, in a wide range of panels, workshops, plenary sessions, screenings, and special events.
Although the deadline for submitting pre-constituted panels and workshops has closed, individual papers can still be submitted thanks to an extended deadline.
There are six topics to submit under, including ‘Expanded Documentary and Immersive Technologies’ and ‘Counter-Surveillance and Citizen Journalism’. Proposals must include a title and abstract for the presentation, an autobiographical blurb and a five-item bibliography.
i_doc workshop
Deadline: Tuesday 10 March
A five-day developmental workshop in Switzerland which is open to scriptwriters, filmmakers, directors, producers, new media content creators, advertising executives, video-journalists and interaction designers looking to develop an interactive project.
Nonny de la Peña (Project Syria), Navid and Vassiliki Khonsari (1979 Revolution) and Christian Popp (Priya’s Shakti) are already confirmed guests, who will give talks and provide mentorship throughout the workshop.
There will be up to 6 “all-inclusive” scholarships made available: 3 for participants with projects, 3 for participants without projects. They will prioritise applications coming from the 12 new EU member states.
Cross Video Days
Deadline: Monday 16 March
One of Europe’s largest digital content markets, Cross Video Days has a number of calls open for projects, including interactive documentary.
The priorities of the call are:
- Project in development which still seeks for financing
- Innovative projects of any form, narrative, technologies used or business model.
- Project with substantial audiovisual component for at least more than one screen different than television (Web, Mobile, tablet, Consoles…). Both multiplatform, transmedia and also linear project designed for web (e.g. Webseries) are welcomed.
You can submit projects free of charge and if selected, the fee includes access to the festival, a series of one-to-one development meetings and a chance to do a pitch session.
The Pixel Lab
Deadline: Thursday 26 March
The Pixel Lab is designed to strengthen the skills needed to engage with audiences and utilise emerging technologies, interactivity and cross platform approaches to building IP and media brands.
Through a combination of group work, case study analysis, pitch training, 1-2-1 meetings and workshops, participants will be mentored by a varied group including Loc Dao, Head of Digital Content, NFB Canada, Lance Weiler, Founder of Reboot Stories and Rob Crossen , Former Executive Producer, Entertainment, Xbox Live.
They’re on the look out for 20 producers with a project and 20 media professionals from anywhere in the world, with a small number of bursaries also available.
!FLab
Deadline: Monday 6 April
A brand new initiative from iDrops and Sandra Gaudenzi, !FLab consists of three sandbox-labs designed to facilitate creative individuals such as journalists, photographers, documentary filmmakers, video producers, educators, social activists, designers, media professionals and coders. These innovative labs will chronologically take place across three different European countries; Leuven (Belgium), Malmö (Sweden) and London (UK).
Participants will attend 3 x 4 days workshops with each workshop concentrating on a different production phase and attached to an inspirational digital conference.
Although there is a fee for participants, there are three scholarships available for applicants.
Date for your diary!
TFI New Media fund
Although this isn’t open yet, it’s worth making a note that the second round of submissions for the TFI New Media Fund open on March 5.
It provides funding and support to non-fiction, social issue media projects which go beyond traditional screens—integrating film with content across media platforms, from video games, apps, social networks and Web. For projects based anywhere in advanced development or beyond. Grants range from $50,000 to $100,000.
Projects from 2014 include The Enemy, Quipu Project and Do Not Track.
More resources
Incase you aren’t already aware, TFI also provide a run down of other funding opportunities for interactive work available throughout the year on the TFI Sandbox – as well as advice for grant writing.
Kel O’Neill (Empire Project) also initiated a collaborative Google Doc with information on i-doc development labs, hackathons and residencies. You can view and contribute to it here.