Documentary Center GWU/ECA Fellowship

The Bureau of Cultural Affairs, US Department of State is pleased to announce a new film fellows grant to George Washington University’s Documentary Center for Documentary Filmmaking Fellowships.

PROJECT SUMMARY:

The Documentary Center at George Washington University will conduct a six-week Fellowship Program for ten emerging filmmakers from the following countries: Afghanistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Morocco, Turkey, Jordan, Kenya, India, Nepal and Kyrgyzstan.  The program will be a condensed version of the Center’s six month institute for documentary filmmaking.  The fellows program will:

-- expose the filmmakers to documentary concepts and theories.
-- train them in the use of new media technologies.
-- provide opportunities for production of three short films - two short films in Washington, DC and one film in New York City.
-- expose participants to documentary and industry resources in both Washington and New York.
-- ensure collaboration with fellow participants and interaction with American filmmakers; participation in roundtable discussions with notable American filmmakers.
--  meetings with representatives from PBS, the Discovery Channel, National Geographic and other broadcast entities.
-- attendance at the AFI/Discovery Channel documentary festival Silverdocs and the International Documentary Conference that takes place during the festival.
-- result in a final public presentation of collaborative documentaries.

The program dates: May 18 - June 30, 2008.

DESCRIPTION OF GRANTEE ORGANIZATION:

The Documentary Center at George Washington University is a Washington, D.C.-based organization founded in 1991.  The organization’s primary goals are to teach the theory and
practice of documentary filmmaking to new generations of filmmakers and to produce films and television programs for international audiences.  Over the past 16 years, the organization has trained and mentored over 300 emerging filmmakers in a unique program devoted to both developing a common language of documentary film across cultures, as well as providing a hands-on approach to the craft of filmmaking.  Located at a major university in the center of D.C., the proposed program will provide an opportunity for growth and intense exposure to the world of western documentary filmmaking.  The documentary center website is www.gwu.edu/doccenter.

DESCRIPTION OF PARTICIPANTS:

-- Applicant should be citizen of the Kyrgyz Republic
-- The program is not designed for students but for working filmmakers, emerging filmmakers, or individuals who have a basic knowledge - whether practical or theoretical – of visual modes of communication.  Good examples would be individuals with background in film, television, media studies, film theory, documentary, or television news.
-- Eligible candidates should have completed a degree program commensurate with the U.S. Bachelor of Arts or have at least two years in a relevant field.  Graduate students could be potential candidates.  Preference will be given to candidates with both relevant academic credentials and practical experience.
-- A working knowledge of English is essential in order for fellows to be able to follow the intense practicum organized by the GW Documentary Center.

Eligible candidates will be required to complete an application form, provide a resume and a personal statement essay, complete a technical questionnaire, and provide a work sample.  This sample could include story "treatments" or outlines, writing samples, videotapes or DVDs of the applicant’s work, photo essays, etc. These will not be returned.

Prospective candidates must submit completed forms and work samples to Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy by January 11, 2008.

For application forms please contact Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy at the following address: 171, Prospect Mira, Bishkek; Tel.: 55-12-41, ext. 4537; e-mail: KojokmatovaK@state.gov.

Detailed information about the program and the application form you can find at: http://bishkek.usembassy.gov