Deadline: 28 January 2025
The American Film Showcase (AFS) is pleased to invite applications from documentary filmmakers for an intensive, all-expenses-paid, 10-day documentary development and pitch workshop at the renowned University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) in Los Angeles.
This exchange is highly competitive and will select one Zimbabwean documentary filmmaker with a documentary in production and can provide online links to work in progress. Those selected will be required to share what they have learned with their home country filmmaking communities.
The AFS Documentary Workshop will immerse filmmakers in the craft of documentary storytelling with a multi-day development workshop led by renowned SCA faculty. Arriving with documentary works-in-progress, filmmakers will spend intensive sessions developing the story structure and character development with documentary experts, culminating in a pitch session for key industry professionals in the American documentary community. After participating in this exchange program, these individuals will have access to additional AFS alumni opportunities.
Duration
- Arrive Los Angeles: June 7
- Program Days: June 8 – June 19
- Depart Los Angeles: June 20
Eligibility Criteria
- The workshop is designed for individuals working on their first or second feature length documentary and will benefit from the filmmaking expertise and state-of-the art facilities available at SCA.
Selection Criteria
- Selection will be based on the quality of the proposed documentary project, personal statement, filmmaking/media examples, and the virtual interview. AFS will select a group of aspiring men and women filmmakers who best represent the diversity of the AFS countries and the program’s mission and objectives.
- Projects should embody an artistic approach, distinct from the stylistic conventions associated with public service announcements or branded content for NGOs or companies. Applicants should highlight projects that maintain a creative and non-commercial focus in the project’s execution. AFS tends to select projects that are either personal stories connected to the filmmaker or focus on stories relevant to his or her communities.
Application Requirements
- Proficient English language skills
- 400-Word Personal Statement
- 1 paragraph to 1 page description of current documentary in research, development, or production phase
- CV outlining your film career with emphasis on documentary productions
- Online links to work-in-progress documentary footage, previously produced documentary or narrative work (all compulsory).
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe.
