Call for applications
Focus Features is pleased to announce a Call for Applications for the Focus Features Africa First Short Film Program. Applications will be open starting May 12th, 2008. The postmark deadline for applications is July 15th, 2008. For complete details of this program, please refer to the Official Rules.
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The Focus Features Africa First Short Film Program will award up to five (5) emerging African filmmakers $10,000.00 (ten thousand U.S. dollars) each towards the pre-production, production, or post-production of their short film. The postmark deadline for application is July 15th, 2008; award recipients will be notified on or about August 15th, 2008 of their status.
Our mission
Focus Features is committed to bringing moviegoers original stories from the worlds most innovative filmmakers. With this in mind, the Focus Features Africa First Short Film Program was created to foster and develop long-term relationships with some of the most promising up-and-coming filmmakers from continental Africa. Through the financial support of the fund and the mentorship support provided by the Focus Features Africa First Advisory Board, we aim to bring filmmakers into an environment that will allow them to grow as filmmakers with an international audience.
Advisory board
Filmmakers who receive funding are also granted the unique opportunity to network with the Focus Features Africa First Advisory Board, an international panel of experts in African Cinema. Selected filmmakers will attend an intensive workshop with the Advisors in New York City.
Summit weekend
October 31st - November 3rd, 2008
Filmmakers selected as award recipiets of the 2008 Focus Features Africa First Short Film Program will have the unique opportunity to participate in a three-day workshop in New York City hosted by the Focus Features Africa First Advisory Board. During the summit, the filmmakers will receive firsthand exposure to the inner workings of studio development, finance, marketing, and distribution; and participate in one-on-one sessions with the Focus Features Advisory Board members aimed at providing practical assistance to filmmakers as they produce their films. The summit weekend may also include activities such as screenings, networking receptions, a personalized guided tour of New York City, and a trip to a Broadway show.