Videocamp, a free SVOD platform that helps distribute social issue films, has partnered with UNICEF to launch the world’s largest social impact film fund of its kind: they’re offering $400,000 to create a film with the theme of “inclusive education.” What do you have to lose? It’s free to apply.
The goal is for the worldwide open call for bids to spark conversation about inclusive education of children with disabilities.
“Film is one of the most powerful mediums we can use to inspire and provoke change in our societies,” says Carolina Pasquali, director of Videocamp. In addition to receiving $400,000, the selected project will be made available in Videocamp’s free catalog of social impact films, which has facilitated 19,000 screenings in over 90 countries.
"We know that while a movie may not change the world....It changes people. And people change the world," the Videocamp Film Fund call for entries video (below) states.
“We’re not looking for movies that trace the history of inclusive education, or analyze what makes an inclusive classroom,” said Pasquali. "We're looking for a creative vision that will broaden perceptions about how all people, with and without disabilities, benefit from an inclusive education.”
Who can apply?
Both established and aspiring filmmakers from all over the world are eligible to submit their project, regardless of whether the film is already in production or not.
Disabled filmmakers and other filmmakers from underrepresented communities around the world are encouraged to apply. Projects can be animation, documentary or fiction and production teams should feature a good gender balance, ethnic and racial variety and individuals with disabilities. The Videocamp Film Fund emphasizes consistency and values the entire filmmaking process, not just the final product.
Credit: courtesy of Videocamp
What's the process?
Submissions are open until June 21, 2018. The five shortlisted projects will be announced on September 1, 2018. Finalists will make a virtual pitch for the juries of the Selection Committee. After the pitching, the Committee will re-evaluate the finalists and announce the selected project. The selected project will be announced on September 21, 2018. The selected film must have the following accessibility features and format: sign language, audio description and captioning.
The jury includes: award-winning African American filmmaker Yvonne Welbon (Chicken & Egg Pictures), Raúl Niño Zambrano (International Documentary Film festival, Amsterdam), Rosangela Berman-Bieler (UNICEF), Marcos Nisti (Alana), Paola Castillo (Chile Doc) and Cecilie Bolvinkel (European Doc Network).
For more details on eligibility criteria and submission guidelines, read the extensive terms of use agreement here, and register/apply on the official website.
