Granting GUIDELINES

GUIDELINES FOR SUMMER 2010 GRANT APPLICATION
FEATURE FILM PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION GRANT
Deadline: July 15, 2010

Definition of Grants:

• The Global Film Initiative awards up to eight (8) grants per funding cycle.
• Each grant will be in the amount of USD 10,000 with a pre–sale option for an additional sum.
• Grants are awarded to assist filmmakers with the production and post–production of their film.
• First-time filmmakers are eligible.

Pre-Sale Option (grant amount + additional sum):

• Each applicant may request to be considered for a pre-sale option for U.S. distribution.
• Recipients who elect the pre–sale option will be expected to sign a distribution contract with the Initiative for all U.S. distribution rights and will be included in the Initiative’s U.S. distribution program in the year following the film's completion.

Requirements:
The Global Film Initiative will accept grant applications for films:

• Produced exclusively in, and created by filmmakers from, countries in the following regions: Latin America, the Caribbean (excluding Cuba), Africa, the Middle East (excluding Iran), Asia (excluding Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan), and Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand).
• That are feature–length (above 65 min), narratives that take place exclusively in the regions listed above. Documentary and short film submissions will not be accepted.
• In pre–production, production or post–production.
• That have substantial production funding in place.
• That contribute to the development of the local film industry by using local key production staff and using local facilities whenever possible.
• Finished in 16mm, 35mm, HD, DigiBeta, or Beta, DVD.

Materials to be submitted with Application:
Two (2) copies of the following materials must be included.

1. The completed application form
2. Synopsis (no more than one page)
3. Biographies of key production personnel
4. Director’s Statement (A brief paragraph about the director’s motivation for creating the film)
5. A finished screenplay
6. A production budget including sources of production financing and amounts committed. Note: Funding sources must be in place to carry film through substantial amount of production.
7. Copies of agreements with production financiers to ensure that the film can complete substantial production within submitted budget
8. Production schedule
9. Previous films of filmmaker(s)
10. Rushes/Dailies, selected scenes or rough cut (when available)
    Note: Please no more than 2 copies of rushes/dailies.

Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Applications and supporting materials must be completed in English.
Submission materials will not be returned to applicant.
Applications must be submitted by mail—electronic applications will not be accepted.

Timeline for the Summer 2010 call for entries:
Deadlines for Application:
July 15 — Must be postmarked by July 15 and sent via international courier.

Chosen Projects announced:
September — Projects to be awarded will be selected from the finalists and announced in September. A contract with the Global Film Initiative will be included with grant notification.

Selection Process:
We have two funding cycles per year.

All grant amounts are at the sole discretion of the Global Film Initiative.
Applications can be rejected at the sole discretion of the Global Film Initiative.

Note: the Global Film Initiative does not fund documentaries or short films.
Next funding cycle deadline July 15, 2010.

Send applications and supporting materials to:
The Global Film Initiative
145 Ninth Street, #105
San Francisco, CA 94103
USA
Please direct any questions to gfi-info@globalfilm.org or fax written inquiries to 415.934.9501 (no phone calls please).

There are two submission deadlines a year, no extensions will be granted — late applications will have to wait for the following submission deadline.

Note: Projects may be judged prior to the first day of shooting but grant awards can only be claimed with the delivery of rushes within the funding period dates.