LEF/CIFF Fellowship

Still from Velvet Citizen by Lindsay Taylor Jackson, 2020 LEF/CIFF Fellowship Grantee

A community of support for New England-based filmmakers

The LEF/CIFF Fellowship is an opportunity for 5 New England-based filmmaking teams to attend the 2024 Camden International Film Festival and connect with other filmmakers and industry leaders through a series of mentor-led project development workshops, networking events, and curated 1:1 meetings taking place both in-person during the festival and virtually in the weeks following.

CIFF has become an important stop on the documentary festival circuit for both filmmakers and industry delegates, who attend to build new relationships with filmmakers participating in Points North Institute’s Artist Programs. In recent years, LEF/CIFF Fellows have had opportunities to build relationships with dozens of major funders (Sundance, Ford, ITVS, Doc Society, Catapult, XTR); sales agents (Submarine, CAA, Fifth Season); streaming platforms (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+); broadcasters (POV, CNN, NBC, HBO, ESPN); theatrical distributors (NEON, A24); and more.

Developed in partnership with LEF New England, this program supports career sustainability for regional filmmakers by providing a unique point of access to potential industry supporters, peer mentorship opportunities with fellow filmmakers, and connections to the broader documentary community.

About LEF

The goal of LEF New England is to fund the work of independent documentary film and video artists in the region and broaden recognition and support for their work, both locally and nationally. It also supports programs that highlight the rich history and ongoing legacy of innovation within New England’s independent film community.

2024 Mentors:

Cecilia Aldarondo – Filmmaker

Nesa Azimi – Director, DRIVER, CIFF 2024

“The LEF/CIFF Fellowship did so much more than introduce my film and I to the documentary community. Collaborating with incredibly talented mentors and filmmakers in preparation for industry meetings meant that when it was time to pitch to Netflix, POV, the Ford Foundation, NBC, and more, I was ready. An invaluable and career changing experience, the fellowship opened doors in terms of funding, co-production, and distribution. It was a true gift to have the opportunity to work—and play!—with industry delegates and fellow artists.”

Leigh Morfoot, 2021 LEF/CIFF Fellow

“As a professor and a seasoned filmmaker, I rarely have the opportunity to be the student. The LEF/CIFF fellowship nourished my filmmaking and my soul and introduced me to regional artists who I hope to continue to be in dialogue with for years to come.”

Kathryn Ramey, 2021 LEF/CIFF Fellow

HOW TO APPLY

ELIGIBILITY

The Fellowship is open to projects with directors who have established their primary residence in New England.
Feature documentary projects in production or post-production
Prior LEF/CIFF Fellows are not eligible to participate in the program again with the same project. However, prior LEF/CIFF Fellows may apply with a new project.

CRITERIA

Applicants will be evaluated based on LEF New England’s guidelines, which include these factors:

Quality of cinematic form and technique
Originality of filmmaker’s voice, vision, and point of view
Resonance and power of the film’s core idea or story
Feasibility of production

FELLOWS WILL RECEIVE:

a $500 stipend per project to support travel to Camden*
(2) All Access passes to the Camden International Film Festival and Points North Forum
(6) nights of accommodations (one double-occupancy room) during the festival

SUBMISSIONS OPEN!

EXTENDED DEADLINE: Monday, April 22, @ 11:59 pm Pacific

APPLY NOW

Preview Application (PDF)

HOW TO APPLY

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility

The Fellowship is open to projects with directors who have established their primary residence in New England
Feature documentary projects in production or post-production
Prior LEF/CIFF Fellows are not eligible to participate in the program again with the same project. However, prior LEF/CIFF Fellows may apply with a new project.

Criteria

Applicants will be evaluated based on LEF New England’s guidelines, which include these factors:

Quality of cinematic form and technique
Originality of filmmaker’s voice, vision, and point of view
Resonance and power of the film’s core idea or story
Feasibility of production

Fellows will receive:

a $500 stipend per project to support travel to Camden*
(2) All Access passes to the Camden International Film Festival and Points North Forum
(5) nights of accommodations for two during the festival

*Please note: We are planning for an in-person gathering and will be adhering to any CDC travel restrictions and public health guidelines in place during the dates of the fellowship. For current guidelines, refer to the CDC website. Before applying, please consider if you will feasibly be able to travel to Maine for the dates of the fellowship.

SUBMISSIONS OPEN

DEADLINE Monday July 5th @ 11:59pm

APPLY NOW

HOW TO APPLY

LIVE INFO SESSION + Q&A

Curious to learn more about the fellowships we offer at Points North? Not sure if you’re eligible to apply, what kind of work we’re seeking, what time spent on the ground will be like? Register for our Artist Programs Info Session, on April 14, 2023 at 1 p.m. EST! We’ll be gathering virtually to discuss our 2023 Artist Programs offerings – the Points North Fellowship, North Star Fellowship, and LEF/CIFF Fellowship – and answer questions for interested applicants.

Please reach out to [email protected] with the subject line “INFO SESSION” with any questions.

REGISTER NOW

ELIGIBILITY

CONTENT We’re looking for documentary filmmakers working on stories that are tapping into narratives or themes that explore “American Stories” in a myriad of ways. (The stories don’t need to be developed or filmed entirely in the US)

LENGTH Feature films with an intended runtime of 70 minutes or more

STAGE Films in production and post-production

MAKEUP OF TEAM We’re looking to support directors and producers from communities and backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented in documentary film