It's no secret that we're big fans of the documentary-adoring team who run the Points North Institute and its Camden International Film Festival (CIFF). Founded in 2005, the annual September celebration of nonfiction filmmaking is often cited as one of the top film festivals of the year (and certainly, taking place in Maine, one of the most scenic).
Thanks to the Institute's mission to be the "launching pad for the next generation of nonfiction storytellers," the nonprofit's programs continue to grow in more focused ways beyond the festival, and one opportunity for young filmmakers, in particular, is worth celebrating.
Credit: Points North Institute
Now in its second year, the Points North Institute's North Star Residency is a collaboration with Kickstarter that brings five U.S. filmmakers of color—between the ages of 21-29— together for one week during CIFF 2018 to further immerse themselves in the business, production, and appreciation of documentary filmmaking.
In addition to receiving an All Access pass to the festival and accompanying Points North Forum, the filmmakers will attend workshops and meetings throughout the event with the staff of Kickstarter and potential industry funders; the festival represents a who's who of documentary heavyweights and getting to meet with them is a big deal.
Recipients will also be provided with $1,200 that will go toward enrolling in a documentary filmmaking course held by the Maine Media Workshops (a $1000 stipend for travel and rental car will be provided for the week).
Equally educational and career-focused, the new program represents a strong effort to provide access to communities who have been underrepresented in the documentary arena for far too long.
The deadline to apply to the North Star Residency is July 27th at 11:59pm EST. If selected, you must be available for the duration of the festival (September 9th through September 16th) and must not have yet completed a nonfiction feature. To apply, click here.
