Fundraising and Financing for Independent Documentary Films: An Intensive Seminar

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Fundraising and Financing for Independent Documentary Films:
An Intensive Seminar
Saturday, June 13 10:00 - 5:30pm, Hunter College, Lang Auditorium 4F

$125 (reg. rate)    |    $75 (discount rate) 

Raising funding for quality independent documentaries can be challenging so Women Make Movies and New York Women in Film & Television have teamed up to present a comprehensive, all-day seminar exploring the diverse sources of funding currently available for independent film and video makers, including grants, television pre-sales and on-line communities.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear from some of the most important funders and leading television executives looking for projects and putting money into documentary film.  Plus you’ll hear from independent filmmakers who, against all odds, have successfully raised the funds they needed to complete their docs.  Find out what financing is still out there and how you too can get it. 

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

10:00 - 11:30 am  Broadcasters and TV Sales 

This is a rare chance to hear what broadcasters are looking to fund, how much is available and how to get time on their channels. Getting your documentary on national television is highly prized in our industry - come hear directly from some of the most important decision makers working in public television and cable today.

Panelists include:
Simon Kilmurry, Executive Director, P.O.V. series on PBS
Lynne Kirby, Senior VP, Original Programming and Development, Sundance Channel
Greg Rhem, Manager of Documentary Acquisitions, HBO
Kathryn Washington, Program Manager for Research and Development, ITVS
Moderated by Terry Lawler, Executive Director, New York Women in Film & Television

11:45 – 1:15pm  New Funders in Film

Finding funding for your documentary can seem nearly impossible, but in the past few years four new funders have entered the field, each committed to documentary production. Find out what these funders look for in an application, know the common mistakes to avoid, and take away strategies that will strengthen your project and ensure it stands out during the panel review.

Panelists include:
Beth Janson, Director, Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund
Adella Ladjevardi, Grants Manager, Cinereach
Emily Verellen, Senior Program Officer, Fledgling Fund
Wendy Ettinger, Co-Founder, Chicken and Egg Pictures
Moderated by Leslie Fields, Director of Programming, NBPC (National Black Programming Consortium)

2:15 – 3:45pm  Case Studies: Filmmakers With Funding

This panel features filmmakers who have successfully raised money for their projects from a broad array of funders. How did they do it?  As funding gets tighter, filmmakers need to be more and more creative to get their projects off the ground. Each of our panelists have learned how to navigate the funding maze and have received funding from a variety of sources including foundations, government grants and individuals. Learn their secrets and how you too can crack the funding nut.

Panelists include:
Laura Poitras, Director
Shola Lynch, Director
Alice Elliot, Director
Kavery Kaul, Director
Moderated by Tracie Holder, Consultant, Women Make Movies and Co-producer/Director

4:00 – 5:30pm  Social Networking and the Web:
New Technologies and Fundraising for Your Film

With its ability to reach people far and wide, the internet seems an obvious place to search for funding, yet success stories are few and far between. How can you build an online community of followers willing to help fund your project?  Join us as filmmakers and others discuss the pitfalls and avenues to success open to you in the online terrain. 

Panelists include:
Slava Rubin, Co-Founder, IndieGoGo
Dana Bartle, Filmmaker
Other panelists TBA


The $75 discount rate for this workshop is available to PA Program Participants, WMM distributed filmmakers, WMM Friends, and NYWIFT members. 

Special Workshop Discount - A discount of 20% on individual workshops is available to WMM Fiscally Sponsored Filmmakers, filmmakers whose work we distribute, WMM Friends, and members of Asian Cine-Vison, Chica Luna Productions, CineWomen NY, DCTV, Events in the City, IFP, NYWIFT, Shooting People, Third World Newsreel, Cinema Tropical, New York Film and Video Council, DocuClub, and Film in the City. 

Student Discount - Students are also eligible for a half price discount rate for any one workshop per season.  Students must present valid student IDs when they sign in to workshops.  Sorry, web registration for this discount is not available, please email your request to fsprogram@wmm.com. 

WMM Friends are individuals who donate at least $50 per year to the organization, and are entitled to a discount of 20% off the individual workshop rate.  To become a WMM Friend, click here.
 

More is Less: It’s Cheaper By the Pass!
Purchase a three workshops pass and receive significant savings. Purchase a four workshop pass and savings are even greater. The discount is good for the entire year.
It applies to workshops offered in both the Fall and the Spring. 

You must purchase the passes through the below buttons and then send an email to fsprogram@wmm.com to let us know which workshops you will be attending. 

Three Workshop Season Pass:

$120 (reg. rate)

$80 (discount rate)

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Refund Policy

No refunds will be given for any registrations.  If you are unable to make the workshop but notify us up to 24 hours prior to the actual workshop date, you may receive a credit for another workshop within one year. Workshops may be cancelled by WMM due to insufficient enrollment. All instructors are subject to change.

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View Past Workshops

Spring 2009
Winter 2008
Fall 2008
Spring 2008
Spring 2007
Fall 2006
Spring 2006
Fall 2005
Spring 2005
Fall 2004
 

This Series is funded, in part, by public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Council on the Arts.