Call open for 15th prestigious documentary training programme Bridging the Gap
Date Posted: September 4, 2017
Scottish Documentary Institute (SDI)’s acclaimed training initiative Bridging the Gap is open to early-career filmmakers in Northern Ireland, thanks to support from Northern Ireland Screen.
The call for applications is now open and will close on Thursday 5th October, with the commissioned films premiering at Edinburgh International Film Festival next June. This year the filmmakers are invited to respond to the theme of LOVE.
Noé Mendelle, Director of Scottish Documentary Institute, said: “With this year’s theme, we want to find stories that explore all the possible meanings of ‘Love’. That could be as a subversion to our current political and emotional framework, or it could be holding up a mirror to our love stories, in all their oddity, uniqueness and complexity.”
Bridging the Gap is one of the leading documentary new talent initiatives in the UK, offering intensive training and commission opportunities to emerging UK-based filmmakers. The programme helps the filmmakers to develop their 10-minute documentary projects and gives them the chance to work closely with industry professionals and SDI over a period of nine months. Previous tutors include Jennifer Fox, Margarida Cardoso, Nicolas Phillibert, Nick Broomfield, Phie Ambo, Thierry Garrel.
Up to five projects will be commissioned with the possibility of a cash budget of £8K each (plus in-kind production and distribution support) and further hands-on training, right the way through the editing period. The films are geared toward distribution in cinemas and festivals.
Andrew Reid, Head of Production at Northern Ireland Screen, said: “Bridging the Gap is a fantastic opportunity for emerging documentary filmmakers to hone their craft with some of the world’s most respected documentary practitioners. Northern Ireland Screen is proud to be able to continue to support the Scottish Documentary Institute and partner with Creative Scotland.”
Bridging the Gap training is hosted at Edinburgh College of Art / University of Edinburgh, home and supporter of SDI.
The call is now open, with a deadline for applications of 5th October 2017.
The initiative will also present an inspiration workshop in Belfast on Friday 8th September 2017 at 2pm in the MAC to encourage applications to Bridging the Gap and meet new talents. Details on how to attend the free workshop can be found here.
How to apply
Filmmakers interested in the initiative can fill in an application form here.
For more information: 0131 651 5760 / [email protected]
