October 28, 2023 - March 31, 2024
Documentary
Film Incubator
Deadline to Apply
October 23, 2023
Are you interested
in Making Films?
Do You Like
Documentaries?
Get a TEAM together and take part in a 5 Month documentary film incubator on Haida Gwaii to bring your great film idea into reality!
October 28, 2023 - March 31, 2024
October 28, 2023 - March 31, 2024
With mentorship and training from film industry professionals, funding for your film, and access to high end education resources and film equipment, you’ll have everything you need to create your amazing film!
The Goal
Created by the Haida Gwaii Media Collective, this film incubator is designed to empower and facilitate teams of local aspiring filmmakers in the creation of 4 complete short documentaries filmed on Haida Gwaii during winter 23/24
How
The HGMC will select 4 teams comprised of (2-4) island community members (of all ages) with a passion for storytelling and provide funding and support as they create their own documentary films over a 5 month period
Industry Mentors
PATRICK SHANNON
Skidegate Haida film & TV Director and Producer
Helen Haig-Brown
Tsilhqot'in filmmaker & director of Edge of the Knife
ROSIE JOHNNIE-MILLS
Skidegate Haida, Xinipsen Indigiqueer Cowichan Producer and AD
DUSTIN RIEL McGLADREY
Nisga’a Indigiqueer Director, Writer, Actor and Editor
Facilitators
GAETAN LEMARRE
Director & Editor
PETER ROBINSON
Sound Recordist
SEAN STILLER
Cinematographer
Sound Recordist
JAY MYERS
MICHAEL BOURQUIN
Film Director
MICHAEL GRAND
Film Producer
The Details
To apply to the Documentary Film Incubator, you must first create a film production team of at least 2 people and a maximum of 4 key people.
Fill out the application form below by October 23rd, 2023.
How to Apply
Commitment
Your team must be able to commit to three 2-day on-island intensives and ten 1-hour mentorship calls over the course of 5 months. At least one team member must be present at all sessions, and ideally most to everyone will take part.
Experience
Documentary has been chosen as the format for this incubator program due to its versatility for local storytelling and its accessibility as a format for beginners. No experience in film is necessary, but a demonstrated interest can help in the team selection.
Selection
Selection of the 4 teams will be made by the HGMC selection committee based on an applicant’s genuine interest and drive for a career in filmmaking; along with their availability and commitment to the entire 5 months program.
Film Ideas
Having a complete idea for your team’s film is not necessary, but presenting 1-3 ideas can also help demonstrate one’s interest and commitment to filmmaking, but not a requirement for selection. Ideas submitted in the application may or may not be the basis of a team’s final film as the first intensive and month of the program is designed to explore and test for great stories.
Resources
Each team will be given an $8,000 budget to bring their film to life, as well as training, mentorship, online educational resources, and access to heavily subsidized professional film equipment. Funding is meant for production costs, including honoraria for interviewees, venue costs, equipment, and stipends for the creators. Mentors will assist in budget creation during the first intensive weekend.
Submit your film by Oct 23rd, 2023 at 6pm PT
An info session open house will be held on October 18th at the Media Collective’s office in Daajing Giids
Schedule
Oct 9 - Applications Open
Oct 18 - Information Session
Oct 23 - Application Deadline
Oct 24 - Selection Announcement
Oct 28/29 - Intensive #1 (Patrick & Helen) covering an introduction to documentary, finding stories and pitching
October ‘23
TBD - Intro to camera operation w/Gaetan
TBD - Intro to sound recording w/Jay
November ‘23
Dec 9/10 - Intensive #2 (Helen, Rosie, and Dustin) covering the art of interviewing and camera setups
TBD - Sound training w/ Peter Robinson (open to the community)
TBD - Cinematography w/Michael Bourquin
December ‘23
January ‘24
TBD - Production tips with Gaetan
Feb 24/25 - Intensive #3 (Patrick, Rosie, and Dustin) Overview of post-production editing, music, licensing, and festivals
February ‘24
TBD - Post-production advanced finishing session with Patrick and Gaetan
TBD - Public screening of films
March ‘24
Additional Details and Fine Print
Age Range
The film incubator is open to islanders age 16+ (at least one team member must be 18 or older), there is no limit on age.
Filming Off-Island
We're encouraging stories that are based on Haida Gwaii because of the local relevance and proximity to mentors, team members, and trainings. But if your documentary idea involves off-island components (and still has importance to the community here), then it shouldn’t be an issue! Community relevance and project feasibility are factors in the selection process.
Subject Matter
Participants are encouraged to tell stories that they feel are important to share, films can contain a diversity of language and visuals as long as they do not spread hate, intolerance, and are not of a gratuitous nature.
Drop Out
If a team member needs to drop out of the incubator for any reason during the 5 months, the team is permitted to carry on (if at least 2 team members remain) or replace them with approval from the project coordinator. If the team is unable to keep their commitments to the program, their team may be replaced with another applicant team.
Ownership
All films created are owned by the creators themselves, and the HGMC retains the right to display the films for public display and reporting purposes.
Creators
The HGMC Documentary Film Incubator is created by and run by Patrick Shannon, Julia Weder, and Brianna Julian of the Haida Gwaii Media Collective.
Funders
The HGMC Documentary Film Incubator has been generously funded by Canada's Digital Supercluster, a federal grant funded program to promote innovation and community capacity-building.
Protocols
Films and productions are required to observe Haida laws and ways of being, including but not limited to: showing respect, taking responsibility, promoting interconnectedness and balance, seeking wise counsel, and demonstrating reciprocity through giving and receiving.
Participant Location
This incubator is open to participants island-wide with screenings and Intensives happening both in the North and South ends of Haida Gwaii.
For any other questions, please email workshops@haidagwaiimediacollective.com