TFI Sloan Fund - Frequently Asked Questions

 

When is the submission deadline and what is the entry fee?

Submissions open on October 30, 2009 and the final postmarked deadline to receive materials is January 11th, 2010.

The submission fee is $40.

How many projects will be selected?

A selection committee along with TFI staff will evaluate all applications that are submitted and choose approximately 12 projects to be reviewed by the Award Committee for funding in 2010.

When will I be notified about my application status?

All applicants will be notified of acceptance or not via email no later than April 1, 2010.

Will my script and/or submission material be returned to me?

We regret that we are unable to return application materials. Submission materials for projects that are not selected are shredded after all final notices are sent.

How do I know if my project qualifies for the TFI Sloan Filmmaker Fund?

Please refer to the Rules and Regulations for a full explanation of eligible projects. The TFI Sloan Filmmaker Fund is seeking feature-length narrative film projects that creatively approach the role of science and technology in everyday lives, and depict the lives of scientists, engineers and mathematicians in new ways. We are not seeking science fiction, but rather narrative stories that incorporate real life science in a thought provoking manner. Projects can be at various stages of development, production or post-production; we will consider treatments, finished screenplays, works-in-progress (films that have commenced production) as well as completed films seeking distribution. Documentaries, short films, student projects or films in the science-fiction/fantasy genre will not be eligible.

If you are unsure about the scientific relevance of your project, send us an email at tfisloanfund@tribecafilminstitute.org. Describe your project idea with a logline and a 250 word synopsis. We can let you know if your project would qualify or not.

What are some examples of films that would qualify for funding?

Some notable examples of films that would qualify for funding had they been submitted are A Beautiful Mind, Bringing Up Baby, Gorillas in the Mist, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Flash of Genius, Pi, Primer, Proof. This list is provided simply to give you a sense of films that address depictions of math, science and their practicioners in fresh ways.

Is the TFI Sloan Filmmaker Fund open to filmmakers around the world?

All international filmmakers are welcome to apply to the TFI Sloan Filmmaker Fund and are encouraged to do so. You do not need to be a US citizen. All applications and materials submitted must be in English. Eligible projects must either be in English, or be subtitled in English.

Can I submit a treatment for a film?

The TFI Sloan Filmmaker Fund does accept projects in treatment form, but they must be detailed and in the range of 10 – 15 pages. The treatment must give a clear overview of what happens in your story, introduce all of the major characters and cover all of the major plot points. The treatment should not only describe what is happening in the story, but why it is happening and how it contributes to the overall plot. It should give a sense of exactly how each aspect of the story should be executed. Treatments that are too short or are vague about details will not be considered.

I’m having trouble locating the release form; where can I find it?

The form may be downloaded as a PDF. If applying with more than one project, each submission must have its own signed release form.

What is an Artistic Statement?

The Artistic statement should explain in detail the director’s and/or writer’s vision and touch on tone and the intended style. You may also wish to describe your motivation for wanting to make the film.

I haven’t developed a budget for my project. What should I submit?

We prefer an actual or estimated production budget top-sheet. If there is no producer attached, a budget summary may be submitted in lieu of the budget top sheet. This summary should provide your estimate of production costs, as best as you understand them. Please be as detailed as possible. Keep in mind that a project (with producer in place) with a detailed and accurate budget will be strongly considered as a candidate for funding.

Can I e-mail you my submission materials?

No. We require that you send a hard copy of your online-application (which you can print off the website as a formatted PDF) along with treatment/screenplay and DVD screeners, a signed copy of your release form (MANDATORY). Please make sure that your project title and Sloan tracking number is on all material that you submit to avoid delays in processing your submission.

Can I mail my digital photo in with my additional materials and application?

Headshots should be submitted digitally by uploading it with your application. Note: Headshots do not need to be of professional quality, but should the project be accepted they may be used for promotional purposes, so do not submit a photo you would prefer not to see in print. Image filenames should use the following format: 'firstname_lastname.jpg' and should be at least 1200-1500 pixels in either width or height.

What if there are developments with my project after I submit it?

Submitters are encouraged to keep us posted on the developments of the project via email. As long as it is early enough in the review process, they will be included in to the evaluation and decision making. Once submissions close, new screenplay drafts or film versions will not be reviewed until an applicant is made a finalist.

If my project is selected, when do I need to be in attendance for the presentation of the 2010 grants?

The qualifying director or writer is requested to be in attendance during the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival, beginning April 21 through May 2, 2010 to maximize industry exposure and announcements during the film festival.

I live outside New York City. If my project has been selected to receive a grant, will the Tribeca Film Institute cover my travel and accommodation?

The Tribeca Film Institute will help with the travel and hotel for the primary representative for the project, if that representative does not reside in the New York City metro area.

Note: This does not cover the duration of the Tribeca Film Festival; however participants are welcome to arrange their own accommodations past the TFI Sloan Filmmaker Fund scheduled program and make use of the Film Festival accreditation they will receive. We can accredit up to three people per project.

If I apply to the TFI Sloan Filmmaker Fund does this cover my application for the Tribeca Film Festival or Tribeca All Access as well?

Filmmakers with completed films seeking to apply to the Tribeca Film Festival should fill out a separate application by visiting www.tribecafilm.com/festival/. However, projects that are eligible for TFI Sloan may also apply to Tribeca All Access, as long as it meets their criteria. Filmmakers seeking to apply to TAA may fill out a separate application at http://www.tribecafilminstitute.org/taa/.

Will I be able to attend the Tribeca Film Festival as a TFI Sloan Filmmaker Fund grantee?

All primary participants are accredited as a filmmaker at the festival and will be able to accredit up to one additional team member.