FIRST FILM FUND
This program provides a year's worth of mentorship and customised training, as well as $3,000 in cash and $1,100 in services to each of the FOUR award receipients, to support the creation of a small first or second film.
Fund Objectives
One of the most important goals of the Winnipeg Film Group is to develop new film and video directors who view themselves as artists. While taking workshops and assisting on other filmmakers' productions are valuable ways of gaining film expertise, there is no real substitute for creating your own film.
The Film Group's First Film Fund is for beginning or aspiring directors. Eligible candidates may have made up to ONE independent production as director / creator. Ideally, the candidates will have taken the Basic Workshop, volunteered on other filmmakers' shoots, and have done some basic film projects, such as the One Take Super-8 Event or the 48 Hour film contest; or, who have a background in other arts and would like to cross-over into working in cinema.
While some experience / understanding of the filmmaker's process is desirable, the demonstration of CREATIVITY, WELL DEVELOPED STORIES and / or INNOVATIVE APPROACHES are the most important criteria for assessment.
This Fund provides an important free mentorship and training support component to award recipients, as well as direct production support. Past mentors have included: Guy Maddin, Sean Garrity, Danishka Esterhazy, Matthew Rankin, Coral Aiken, and many more over the course of our over twenty years of running this program.
Eligible Applicants and Projects
The Fund is not designed to assist people in making a large, or complicated film. It is recommended that applicants approach the fund with a small, 3-5 minute film proposal. This fund will consider proposals in a variety of genres and finished media (film, video, etc.), including hybrid forms.
Applicants must be residents of Manitoba and user members (basic, full or Video Pool joint) of the Winnipeg Film Group and cannot be full time students (high school or university). Applicants must be 18 years of age or over.
Acknowledgements
The Winnipeg Film Group gratefully acknowledges the financial assistance of Manitoba Film & Sound and the National Film Board of Canada for our First Film Fund.