Short-Film Fund: How to Apply

In our commitment to artistic risk and experimentation, and in the spirit of optimal health, well-being, and equity for people, community, and the planet, Chromatic Black is proud to invite submissions for the 2nd annual Ida B. Wells Disrupting the Master Narrative Fund. Five applicants will be selected to receive investments of $15,000 each to go towards the production of a short film running between 9 and 18 minutes.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS FUND IS FOR CREATING AN ORIGINAL NEW SHORT FILM ONLY. Applications are due FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2022 at 11:59 pm EST.

TAKE ME TO THE APPLICATION!

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Things to Know...

WE SEEK STORY that is meaning-making, provides us with organizing language and helps us navigate our existence with creativity, dexterity, and defiance.

WE SEEK STORY that illuminates our blind spots, re-orients us toward a framework that integrates agency and structure, person and setting, individual and culture.[Erikson, 1968]

WE SEEK STORY that helps us understand our past, deconstruct our present and envision a chromatic black future.

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Opening Date
  • Application Deadline
  • Notification Date
  • March 2023 – Event Date TBA

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be:

  • At least 21 years old upon submission of their application.
  • A working artist with at least two years of professional experience.
  • A U.S. Citizen, permanent legal resident, or an O-1 Visa holder.

Applicants cannot be:

  • An institution. If you are an artist who is a principal in a 501(c)3 organization, you should apply as an individual artist. If you are selected for funding, the award may be made payable to you through your organization. Additionally, we are not able to provide funding to LLC or S Corp organizations.
  • Seeking finishing funds for a partially-funded, in-progress project. Projects selected by the Ida B. Wells Fund are intended to be new and original works that are fully financed through investments from the Fund.

REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must submit:

  • A headshot.
  • A current CV/Resume.
  • A completed submissions form.
  • A logline & 1-2 paragraph synopsis.
  • A 2-4 minute pitch video.
  • A mood reel.
  • Only one (1) video or film work sample.
  • A production schedule (which should be approximately 90 days, inclusive of pre-production and post-production).
  • A treatment (non-scripted/non-fiction) or a script.
  • At least one (1) and up to three (3) professional references.
  • A full draft of the budget for the Project, not to exceed $15,000.
  • A signed submission agreement.
  • A signed production agreement.

SELECTION PROCESS AND NOTIFICATION

Applicants will be reviewed by Chromatic Black staff and a panel of assigned screeners on a rolling basis between the opening of submissions on July 16, 2022 and the close of submissions on October 28, 2022. After submissions have closed, a pool of 25-50 semi-finalists will be internally chosen and assigned to a jury. The jury will then choose five winners, who will be notified of their selection on November 21, 2022. If, for whatever reason, a notified winner is unable, unwilling, or ineligible to participate, a backup winner will be identified and assigned in their place.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Applicants will be reviewed by Chromatic Black staff and a panel of assigned screeners on a rolling basis between the opening of submissions on July 16, 2022 and the close of submissions on October 28, 2022. After submissions have closed, a pool of 25-50 finalists will be chosen and contacted on November 6, 2022 and assigned to a jury. Finalists will be given 48 hrs to respond. If, for whatever reason, a finalist is unable, unwilling, or ineligible to participate, a backup finalist will be identified and assigned in their place. The jury will then choose five winners, who will be notified of their selection on November 21, 2022. Winners will be given 48 hrs to respond. If, for whatever reason, a notified winner is unable, unwilling, or ineligible to participate, a backup winner will be identified and assigned in their place.