The BFI Doc Society team has announced three new professional development opportunities for UK filmmakers:
The Rise Producer Programme is a 6-month programme aimed at breaking down socio-economic barriers of access and sustainability for emerging, first-time feature documentary producers based in the UK. “We recognise the plurality of pathways towards becoming a documentary film producer, each with unique needs for supportive learning, dialogue, and development in the art, business, and ethics of production. RISE centres personal spaces of knowledge sharing, market navigation and peer exchanges over a prolonged period of time,” writes Doc Society.
The support will consist of tailored creative advisories from BFI Doc Society and industry leaders, plus an intensive market introduction at Sheffield Doc/Fest, and will culminate in business planning meetings to better equip emerging independent documentary producers. RISE Applications are open now until 11 March 2024.
Producing Truths, a collaboration between BFI Doc Society, Docs Ireland, Scottish Documentary Institute and Screen Alliance Wales, and supported by the ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund, is aimed at mid-career producers outside of London. This programme will be tailored to the challenges of developing, funding and distributing independent non-fiction cinema today. Applications are open later this week.
Finally, in partnership with FWD-DOC, Doc Socety invites applications from disabled UK documentary filmmakers, producers and editors to participate in a virtual delegation to IDA’s Getting Real ’24 conference (15 – 18 April). Applications are open later this week.
Find further info in Doc Society’s Opportunities section at bfi.docsociety.org/talent.
TikTok MicroDoc Challenge: What Is Democracy?
BFI Doc Society has teamed up with IDA in the US, Docubox in Kenya, DocsMX in Mexico, and In-Docs in Indonesia to launch the TikTok #MicroDocChallenge on Democracy. “Born from our first Democracy Story Lab in London, we are taking to Tiktok to reach new audiences in conversations about democracy,” write organisers.
“What is a #MicroDoc? We want you to experiment: interviews, experimental concepts, popular TikTok backgrounds, and archival footage are all welcome – focus on a specific matter or keep it artsy inspired by your favourite documentaries,” organisers add.
The Challenge is open to everyone globally. Videos can be posted by 15 March 2024, using the #microdocchallenge hashtag. At the end of the experiment, Doc Society will select 20 TikTok videos to receive a $250 USD cash prize. Learn more about the Challenge here.
Made of Truth BFI Doc Society Short Film Fund opens March 4
The Made of Truth: BFI Doc Society Short Film Fund opens again March 4. Applicants are requested keep an eye on socials for more information, and lists upcoming events and opportunities to meet interested filmmakers, online and in person:
- BFI Doc Society Fund 1-2-1 Sessions: The 1-2-1 advice sessions for March are now open for filmmakers and producers based in Northern Ireland or Wales. Book a 15-minute slot and speak to a member of the BFI Doc Society team! Find out more at https://bfi.docsociety.org/talent/
- Made of Truth Short Film Fund Events. For full info on each event and how to register, go to https://bfi.docsociety.org/talent/. More events to be announced soon!
- Connect & Collab: Fact & Fiction (South West). Thursday 29 February 2024 at 18:30 – 20:30, Watershed, Bristol. BFI NETWORK South West and BFI Doc Society present an evening of films and networking at Watershed in Bristol, to celebrate the next round of short film funds, with Doc Soc staff on hand to chat throughout the evening. More info and registration.
- Crafting Non Fiction Short Films (Wales). Wednesday 20th March 2024, 12:00 – 13:00, Online. Ffilm Cymru Wales, BFI NETWORK Wales & BFI Doc Society invite all emerging filmmakers and artists in or from Wales to join us for an online session on the art of crafting boundary-breaking short documentaries. In conversation with previous grantees, we will be looking at ways to develop cinematic and authentic non-fiction ideas and find your team, and we will be sharing guidance on the Beacons Short Film Fund and Made of Truth: BFI Doc Society Fund. More info and registration.
- Made of Truth – Online Roundtable with the BFI Doc Society Team. Thursday 4 April 2024, 12:00 – 13:00. Join our team at this online info session on 4 April to find out more about the fund, guidance, and our processes. With the deadline nearing, this is your chance to hear directly from the team and ask any questions that need answered for you to submit your application. Register here.
- BFI Doc Society at Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival. Friday 8 March 2024, 12:00 – 13:30, The Maltings, Berwick-upon-Tweed. BFI NETWORK partners BFI Doc Society and Film Hub North invite doccers for an informal filmmaker mixer in The Maltings. Meet like-minded artists, connect with Luke Moody (Head of the BFI Doc Society Fund) and Jen Bradfield (BFI NETWORK Talent Executive, Film Hub North) and hear about regional opportunities and film funding. Register here.
Keep an eye out for the fund opening and further info sessions at https://bfi.docsociety.org/.
