1. If the director is based outside of the U.S. but the producer is based in the U.S., do we still qualify?
We will accept applications from producers based in the U.S. (even if the director isn’t based in the U.S.),as long as the producer will be the person leading/running the impact plans and will be the one prepared to attend meetings and the Impact Kickstart strategy summit.
The director must still identify as an underrepresented maker, as defined above, in this case.
2. If our director doesn’t identify as underrepresented but a majority of the rest of the team does, do we still qualify?
No. Although the director doesn’t have to be the applicant, we still require that the director identify as an underrepresented maker. Our lens is one of equity, and decolonizing the documentary field. This award is for film projects directed by underrepresented filmmakers. It’s not just a matter of diversity, but rooted in a desire to lift up largely underrepresented perspectives and to serve directors and film teams who disproportionately do not have the same level of access and resources as other directors proximate to power and privilege who are more widely represented in the field.
3. How do you define “feature length”?
40 minutes or longer. If you are submitting a multi-part series, then the total run time of the full series should be 40 minutes or longer.
4. Why is the 2022 Impact Kickstart only selecting two films instead of four films in past call for applications?
We are only offering two Impact Kickstart awards in 2022 to maximize the time, attention and resources dedicated to each film project.
5. How does Working Films define accountability to and consent from participants and communities?
Accountable filmmaking acknowledges that storytelling is a sacred, human endeavor, and that storytelling through filmmaking is a privilege that, like any privilege, is fraught with power dynamics, historical context, and social inequities. Accountable filmmaking responsibly stewards the intended and unintended impacts of making a film and conscientiously aspires to operationalize values and ethics in each aspect of the storytelling process (This is a definition co-created by the Indie Media Arts South working group focused on non-extractive storytelling). While every film is unique in its process of production and release, there are core values that we believe should undergird all storytelling endeavors. These are outlined by the Documentary Accountability Working Group here. Regarding consent, we believe that it is an ongoing process that should be revisited throughout the making and release of a film, not a one time agreement at the start of the filmmaking process.
6. I have more questions! What can I do?
We’ve got a webinar coming up to answer questions from anyone interested in applying! The webinar will take place on Monday, February 28, 2 – 3 pm EST. Register for that here! If you can’t attend, we will be recording it and posting it to this page. If you have any additional questions in the meantime, please email Gerry Leonard at gleonard@workingfilms.org.