Following its successful implementation in 2011, the Hot Docs-Blue Ice Documentary Fund returns this year with a deadline of August 20, 2012. The fund, which has proved a boon to African documentary filmmakers, accommodates professional filmmakers who are citizens and residents of the continent.
In 2011 the initiative awarded six filmmakers out of 140 submissions from 29 countries. Among the selected projects were Buddha of Africa (South Africa / Malawi); Fifire En Pays (Senegal); The Children’s Wizard Accused (Congo); Just A Band: The Movie (Kenya); Norwegian Crime in Congo (DRC); and Whose Country (Egypt).
Hot Docs-Blue Ice Dorumentary Fund communications coordinator Kaitlin Knyf states: “The fund will continue to enable more African documentary filmmakers to tell their own stories and contribute to a new generation of the African documentary community.’
In addition to financing, the initiative offers valuable resources to support the films’ production, professional development.
Through an accompanying peer-to-peer mentorship programme, grantees may team with international production partners to bring their projects to international markets, festivals, broadcast and online audiences. Grantees will attend the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival and Hot Docs-Blue Ice Filmmakers Lab.
For more information see Hot Docs-Blue Ice Film Documentary Fund and FAQs.
Source: Kaitlin Knyf (Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival)
