Points North Institute Announces Shortform Editing Residency For Filmmakers and Journalists Working on Documentary Shorts or Episodic Series
The Points North Institute opened submissions for the inaugural Shortform Editing Residency, a new program supporting filmmakers and journalists working on documentary shorts or episodic series. The week-long residency will take place September 11-18, bringing four selected filmmakers to Maine to work on their edit with input from experienced mentors. The program also includes an All Access Pass to the 2016 Camden International Film Festival (CIFF) — held September 15-18 — giving filmmakers additional opportunities to connect with funders, distributors and the international documentary community during the festival weekend. Applications will be accepted until August 10.
The open call for the Shortform Editing Residency is the first major announcement to follow CIFF’s July 6 launch of the Points North Institute, an expanded media arts organization that will produce the annual Camden International Film Festival, as well as serve as a “launching pad for the next generation of nonfiction storytellers.”
The Shortform Editing Residency builds on the success of two other artist programs produced by the Points North Institute: the long-running Points North Fellowship, which supports feature documentaries through mentorship, a public pitch, and a cash grant; and the Camden/TFI Retreat, a week-long program in June which just concluded its second year in partnership with Tribeca Film Institute and CNN Films. The program also builds on the organization’s longstanding commitment to short documentary filmmaking through programs like the 2013 New York Times Op-Docs Pitch (the first Op-Docs Pitch in North America) and the 2014 AJ+ Pitch, both part of CIFF’s annual Points North Forum.
“We’re excited to apply what we’ve learned through years of building the Points North Fellowship and Camden/TFI Retreat to a new program supporting documentary filmmakers,” said Sean Flynn, Program Director of the Points North Institute. “By creating a space that allows filmmakers and journalists to gain perspective on their work and connect with peers and mentors, this program will strengthen the growing ties between communities of independent filmmakers and news organizations.”
Submissions for the Shortform Editing Residency are open until August 10 at 11:59pm. A detailed program description and application form can be found at the link below. Selected projects and industry mentors will be announced in late August, following announcements of the Camden International Film Festival and Points North Forum programs.
Besides the Points North Fellowship, which closes submissions on July 21, additional programs for filmmakers tied to this year’s Camden International Film Festival include the CMG Action Grant, providing filmmakers and organizations an opportunity to win up to $10,000 to produce a short film related to Healthy Oceans or Renewable Energy Solutions, and two new courses at Maine Media Workshops, focused on VR production and making short documentaries for digital platforms.
