TFI Latin America Media Arts Fund: 2012 Rules and Regulations

[See these rules in Spanish.]

Overview

The TFI Latin America Media Arts Fund supports innovative film and video artists working in documentary or mixed media forms and living and/or working in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America. Whether through unconventional forms or more traditional means, selected media artists are encouraged to invent, explore and redefine visions and stories that reflect their diverse cultures.

Through the Fund, TFI supports Latin American media artists and filmmakers who are working independently of larger producers in an effort to reach a more expansive audience. The artists supported by this program range from the filmmaker who presently aids in the development of the field by exploring innovative storytelling strategies, to the filmmaker who works with a medium or represents a community that is traditionally underrepresented in the mainstream.

Funding

In 2012 the Tribeca Film Institute’s Latin America Media Arts Fund will provide grant funding to select Latin American artists. Fund recipients will be announced in January 2012 and celebrated at the Tribeca Film Festival in April. In addition to the funds, each grantee will receive a U.S.-based advisor and exclusive guidance from the Tribeca Film Institute to ensure that each film reaches completion and enters the U.S. marketplace from the best possible vantage point.

Films

The TFI Latin America Media Arts Fund seeks animation, documentary, or hybrid feature-length films in production or post-production status with no existing distribution in place. In regards to the term ‘hybrid’, the Fund recognizes projects that are not only unconventional in both their form and content, but that also bravely push the boundaries of what is considered a fiction (or non-fiction) work. The work in itself may present unique stylistic components (it might integrate animation & live-action, video & film) – thus deeming it a hybrid project – but it can also further blur the line between realism and representation through its very content. Please refer to our list of previous grantees to help a better idea of the types of films we fund.

Selection Process

Films will be selected from an open call for submissions. Selection will be done by Tribeca Film Institute staff and a final selection committee comprised of notable talents in the field.

SUBMISSION RULES AND REGULATIONS

In order to qualify for the TFI Latin America Media Arts Fund, entrants must comply with ALL of the following Rules and Eligibility Requirements. Failure to comply with these rules will render a submission ineligible.

• Submissions must be animation, documentary and/or hybrid feature-length films with an intended length of at least 70 minutes
• Submissions must be in production or post-production and must not have aired on any form of television, been screened publicly or have been distributed in theatres or via the internet. Submitted films must show enough footage to highlight unique access and storytelling ability.
• Projects may be in any language or dialect, but if they are not in English, then they must be subtitled or accompanied with an English transcript.
• Applicants must be over 18-years old*
• Student films and stand-alone short films are not eligible for submission.
• Applicants will be notified by February 2012 whether their projects have been awarded funding or not.

All submissions must include the following:

• Applicants must complete the online application form and upload a thorough proposal (preferable in both Spanish and English).
  
  • A description that outlines the form and style of the project.
  • Bios of filmmaker(s) and key crew members.
  • Contact information for key crew members.
  • A concise timeline explaining the sequence of steps required for the completion of the eligible project.
  • A budget for the requested funds; entrants must detail how the grant money will be used towards the completion of the film.
  • Outreach/audience engagement strategy for the project, if applicable.
• Applicants must submit 2 DVD copies (or provide a video-sharing link) of an extended trailer (no shorter than 7 minutes), scene assemblage and/or a rough cut of the project. If DVD’s are mailed, they should be labeled with submission number, project title, running time, applicants name and contact information. DVDs must be NTSC and formatted for Zone 0 and 1. Please do not send previous work with your submission.
• Submissions must be shipped pre-paid, including any duties or customs fees.
• Tribeca Film Institute will make every effort to safe-guard the materials submitted; however TFI will not be responsible for lost or stolen submissions. Submissions will not be returned.

Important Dates

August 8, 2011 – Submissions Open

October 11, 2011 – Submissions Deadline

Entry Fees

$25.00 USD

Check or money order should be made payable to Tribeca Film Institute and drawn on US funds. Please reference your submission number on the check and on all of your submission materials.

Shipping

All materials must be sent prepaid to:

Tribeca Film Institute
32 Ave of the Americas, 27th Fl
New York, NY 10013
Attn: Latin Fund
(212) 274-8080

Entries will not be considered complete until all of the materials are received. All submissions must be postmarked within the entry deadline dates.

Questions?

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding the entry process: latinfund@tribecafilminstitute.org or at (212) 274-8080 x51. 

*Note: Applicants to the Heineken Voces Grant must be 21 years old.