Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund 2010 Rules and Procedures

OVERVIEW

As mainstream media moves away from in-depth coverage of world affairs, domestic issues and social conflicts, the documentary has become an important and much needed tool to draw attention to the serious issues facing our world today. At the same time, the craft of the documentary is expanding in exciting directions, merging diverse points-of-view with new technologies and responding to the immediacy of the internet. In its third year, the Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund will provide finishing funds to feature-length documentaries which highlight and humanize issues of social importance from around the world. Funded films will be driven by thoughtful and in-depth storytelling, bolstered by a compelling visual approach.

FUNDING

In 2010 the Tribeca Film Institute, through its Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund, will offer grants ranging from $10,000 - $25,000 totaling $100,000. Fund recipients will be announced by June 1, 2010.

FILMS

The Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund is seeking feature-length documentaries that are in production or post-production with the intended premiere exhibition in late 2010 or 2011. Eligible films include those which examine or document people who are ignored, ostracized or otherwise marginalized; people fighting for social or political change; or broad social movements. We are looking for films which challenge the status quo not just as pertains to subject matter but also in form. Films should be able to sustain a festival and/or theatrical run and should resonate with a mainstream U.S. audience.

SELECTION PROCESS

Films will be selected from an open call for submissions. Weight will be given to projects that best fulfill the mission of the program (as shown in the submitted work and the strength of proposal) and to those where granting amounts will have significant impact. Selection will be done by Tribeca Film Institute staff and a final selection committee comprised of notable talents in the field.

SUBMISSION RULES AND REGULATIONS

In order to qualify for the Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund, entrants must comply with ALL of the following Rules and Eligibility Requirements. Failure to comply with these rules will render a Submission ineligible.

  • Submissions must be non-fiction motion pictures with an intended length of at least 70 minutes and should creatively document subjects and issues that promote social change.
  • Submissions must be in the late stages of production or post-production stages and must not have aired on any form of television, been screened publicly or have been distributed in theatres or via the internet.
  • Foreign language documentaries are eligible, but must be subtitled and suitable for an American audience.
  • Applicants must be over 18-years old.
  • Fund recipients will include the following wording in their opening or closing credits: "In association with the Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund" (opening) or "Supported by the Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund" (closing).
  • Student films and documentary short films are not eligible for submission.
  • Applicants will be notified by June 1, 2010 whether their films are awarded funding or not.
All submissions must include the following:
  • Applicants must complete the online application form and send 2-copies of a thorough proposal which includes:
    • A project description outlining the form and style of the film.
    • Bios of filmmaker(s) and key crew members.
    • Contact information for each crew member.
    • A concise timeline explaining the sequence of steps required for the completion of the eligible film.
    • A budget for the requested funds; entrants may request no less that $10K and no greater than $25K and detail how this money will be used towards the completion of the film. The Selection Committee will determine the actual amount awarded to Fund recipients.
    • Outreach strategy for the film, if applicable.
  • Signed release form [PDF]
  • Applicants must submit 2 DVD copies of an extended trailer (no shorter than 7 minutes), scene assemblage or a rough cut of the project. Label the DVDs with submission number, project title, running time, applicants name and contact information. DVDs must be formatted for Zone 0 and 1. Please do not send previous work with your submission.
  • Submissions must be shipped pre-paid, including any duties or customs fees.
  • Gucci and Tribeca Film Institute will make every effort to safe-guard the materials submitted; however neither Gucci nor TFI will be responsible for lost or stolen Submissions. Submissions will not be returned.

ENTRY DEADLINES

Submissions open October 5, 2009

Submissions close January, 11 2010 (postmark)

ENTRY FEES

$40.00 USD per submission.

Check or money order should be made payable to Tribeca Film Institute and drawn on US funds. Please reference your submission number on the check.

SHIPPING

All materials must be sent prepaid to:

Tribeca Film Institute
73 Spring Street, Suite 406
New York, NY 10012
Attn: Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund
(212) 274-8080 x28

Entries will not be considered complete until all of the materials are received. Please refer to the Filmmaker Checklist below. All submissions must be postmarked within the entry deadline dates.

FILMMAKER CHECKLIST

Once you have completed the application online you must send the following to the address above:

  • Two (2) copies of proposal
  • Two (2) DVD copies of project (formatted for Zones 0 or 1) labeled with submission number, project title, running time, applicants name and contact information
  • Signed release form

QUESTIONS?

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding the entry process.

documentary@tribecafilminstitute.org or (212) 274-8080 x28