LEF/CIFF FELLOWSHIP
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 2025 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.
Presenting Partner
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:
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- 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
“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.”
“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.”