Q. What is the Project Forum?
A: The Project Forum is that part of Independent Film Week comprised of the selected projects in the four presentation sections: Emerging Narrative, No Borders Co-Production Market, Spotlight on Documentaries, and the Independent Filmmaker Lab. It also refers to all of the activities related to these sections, primarily one-on-one “buyer request” meetings, screenings of documentary work, and roundtables, info sessions, and networking events designed specifically for the filmmakers of the selected projects.
Q: What is Independent Film Week? Is it the same as the IFP Market?
A: Yes. Independent Film Week is produced by IFP and encompasses all those events presented annually each September in New York City that are part of (or are held concurrently with) what was formerly called the IFP Market. It is typically the week following the Toronto Film Festival and will take place in 2012 from September 16-20. Independent Film Week includes the Independent Filmmaker Conference, the Project Forum, various showcases, special screenings and events – some of which are open to the public and others by accreditation or selection only.
Q: Do I have to be a member of the IFP to submit a project?
A: Yes, but you can join at any level. The lowest cost membership is the Community Membership for $35. Join here: http://www.ifp.org/membership/member-benefits/
Q: How much of my work-in-progress do I need to submit to you at the application stage?
A: We can receive anything from a few scenes or a trailer to a rough cut or fine cut, but it is the primary element on which selection is made. Selection for the documentary section has become very competitive in recent years, so your submitted sample should be the very best presentation of your project that you can do by the deadline.
Q: I have a great 3-minute trailer for my project – is this adequate for submission?
A: While a good 3-minute teaser trailer might be effective for catching a buyer’s initial interest and getting a meeting, it alone is not enough material for us to consider at the application and selection stage. Yes, we want to see your short trailer which you’ll use as a funding or sales tool if you have one. But, if you are submitting a trailer of 4 minutes or less, you will need to submit at least an additional 10 minutes of material (a scene or two or unedited scenes) that gives us a sense of your material and how the film actually works – not just the high points in a trailer. Should you be accepted we will request a two to three-minute trailer to make available along with our online dossier (password protected) to help buyers understand your project when they are making decisions on projects with which to meet in the Project Forum.
Q: I have a rough cut/rough assembly, but will only want to show a short sample to any buyers I meet at Independent Film Week. Should I send in my rough cut at the application stage?
A: In general, yes – the more we see, the better, so we have the most complete picture of the project. You could send us both the short trailer and the rough cut. It is up to you to decide what to show to any potential buyer or you meet in September. We are only using all the material you show us for our own evaluation process. It is only viewed by the selection team.
Q: Why so many questions on the application? Do I have to fill out the entire form?
A: Yes and no. Many fields are mandatory (indicated in red) but not all. We ask for more information than most. Here’s why: The primary purpose is to present your work to an industry audience interested in financing, acquiring for distribution or broadcast material that is right for them. The detailed information you provide will mean that the most accurate picture of your project is presented to them. Your responses in the long summary and Artistic Statement also help us evaluate your project during the selection process in cases where the sample material submitted is brief.
Q: What should the “Artistic Statement” (on the application) include?
A: The Artistic Statement is where you should explain your vision of the film. You should include the reason you are making the film, your goals, why it is important, and how you will achieve what you intend to achieve. If your sample material is brief because you are early in your production, you may also use this statement to elaborate on your future production schedule and completion plans.
Q: How important is the written application in the selection process?
A: Very important. The most important element in the selection is the quality of the work sample (trailer, segment, rough cut, etc) that you submit. However the written application conveys to us how you are thinking about your work and how you will potentially be talking about it to others in the future – and during your meetings and networking should the project be selected for Spotlight on Documentaries. The professionalism and thoughtfulness of the written presentation plays a big part. You should take the time at the application stage to make this the best presentation that you can. If your project is selected, this material will be used in dossiers sent to industry in August to help them decide which projects are of interest to them and for meeting requests. Although you will have the opportunity to update what you have written if your project is selected, our print deadlines will demand a very quick turnaround.
Q: I’m reluctant to list my financing on the application. Do I have to?
A: The financing you already have in place, regardless of the source, is one of the elements that comes into play in our evaluation of projects for acceptance. Some amount of financing must be listed there, even if it only your personal funds invested to date. Naturally, additional sources of financing show the interest of other support for your project, which will increase its interest to most buyers. We are looking for active documentary projects that are moving forward. Projects with no financing information listed will not get serious consideration for this selective program.
Q. My documentary is complete; it’s not a work-in-progress. Does the Project Forum of Independent Film Week accept completed features?
A: No. Spotlight on Documentaries only accepts documentary projects that are not yet complete and have not screened in any other public forum. We can consider a documentary at any stage of production or post-production, but the goal of the section is to help filmmakers looking for production and finishing funds, and those ready to meet with broadcasters and distributors or attract festival interest before their film is completed. At minimum, your project should be three to six months away from being completed or submitting to festivals, though many selected projects are still years from completion.
Q. I’m working on a short for which I’m seeking finishing money and would like to submit a trailer sample of the short – is that OK?
A: No. Spotlight on Documentaries is designed for projects meant to be feature length (at minimum, a TV hour).
Q: My work-in-progress sample is not as technically polished as it will eventually be – where do I note that on the application?
A: You can include a cover letter with the DVD copies that you send us explaining anything you think the screening committee should take into consideration while viewing your submission. That correspondence is attached to your application and will be read by screening committee members. The documentary committee is experienced with seeing work at all stages of completion.
Q: Who screens the films for selection?
A: The Documentary Screening Committee; comprised primarily of the programming staff of the IFP, supplemented at times by a small group of professionals experienced in evaluating this kind of work. Generally, no more than three people look at any single work for this section. Submissions are confidential and not made available to anyone outside the Committee.
Q: Does IFP do anything to promote my project once it has been accepted?
A: Yes – in fact, one of our primary goals as advocates for all projects is to ensure that our registered buyers are aware of your film. In early August we make available a detailed dossier on all projects (using the info you have provided in the application) to all registered buyers who are in a position to finance or acquire at an uncompleted stage. Filmmakers are also able to upload trailers and other work samples to this online dossier, which the buyers use to set up their “buyer request” meetings through IFP for projects they wish to meet. Once accepted, you will receive more information on the timetable for additional material that we will need to arrange these meetings.
Q. How do the meetings actually work?
A: As outlined above, IFP disseminates information on all selected projects to the industry who are registered to attend the Project Forum, and who are actively looking for new projects with which to become involved on a representation, financing or distribution basis. Through the dossier information they review in advance, the buyers individually decide which projects are most relevant to them for potential involvement and then requests meetings through IFP. Meeting schedules are distributed to filmmakers and industry reps in early September. Meetings are scheduled primarily around the buyers’ availability; you might find that one day you have two meetings and another day five. Meetings last 30 minutes. It is at this time that you’ll have the opportunity to go into greater depth or answer more specific questions on your film. Project reps are required to be available for all days of meetings.
Q: What actually is the “pitch screening” for a documentary’s in-person screening?
A: Each selected documentary can receive a 20-minute screening slot, regardless of whether the film is at an early stage of production or in the final stages of post. That time is divided up by the filmmaker into an intro, which provides the audience the context for what they are seeing; time at the end is reserved for a short Q&A period. The screening sample – which could be a trailer, selected scenes, or a 10-12-minute section of the film – whatever the filmmaker decides is the best presentation for their particular goal. This is primarily an opportunity for you to present your sample in an intimate setting to attendees that will include other filmmakers and some industry. You should note – this is not primarily an industry screening. The reality of the Project Forum is that there are many things going on simultaneously – including the meetings. This is as much about letting the community have a first look at the project and getting some initial feedback. Presentation format is DVD playback to a large flat screen monitor. Participation is optional.
Q: Who looks at projects in the Video Library? How does that work? What should I include there?
A: All registered buyers have access to the Library at any time during the week. Every documentary project selected for the Project Forum is viewable there – either on DVD or via a digital copy on a file server. Typically filmmakers should include anything from a trailer up to selects or a segment up to 20 minutes or so. We advise that filmmakers not include a full rough cut or fine cut of your work, even if you are at that stage.
Q: Early and late deadlines – what’s the difference?
A: We find filmmakers tend to submit at the last minute. To avoid all projects arriving at the same time, we add a small incentive to attract early submissions.
Q. Are there any hidden fees?
A. No. Beyond the application fee and membership fee that is paid at the submission stage, there is no further attendance fee to pay if your project is selected.
Q: Can I submit my on-line application by the deadline, and submit my payment and DVDs later in the summer when the project will be in better shape?
A: No. All applications must be COMPLETE (including payment) by the deadline. In the online application you will have the option to pay by credit card via secure server or to send a check with your DVDs. We must receive your DVD submission within 5 days of your online application.
Q: How do I make sure my project is considered for any relevant awards if I’m accepted?
A: Should there be any awards available to within any section of Independent Film Week, the nominees for awards are made by members of the selection committee who have seen all of the accepted projects. Awards are decided by separate juries – not IFP or the selection committees.
Q: How many projects are selected from how many submissions?
A:For the documentary submissions we typically receive 400-450 submissions from which we will select 50-60 projects. We select both a range of subjects and styles
Q: If I am selected, how do I prepare for Independent Film Week?
A: If you are selected, we will email you a “best practices” guide in the weeks leading up to the event which explains in detail the best way to prepare and what to expect. IFP will also set up a time to speak to each project individually prior to Independent Film Week.
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