2022 Call for Applications: DEGANZ Emerging Women Filmmakers Incubator
The Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand is now accepting applications for the sixth Emerging Women Filmmakers Incubator.
In 2022, the talent-focused development programme will mentor a handful of selected female directors from Aotearoa New Zealand.
Background
The overall vision of the Incubator is to empower the participating directors with the confidence, knowledge and connections that they can use to go on and direct a feature film, drama or scripted series.
The Incubator is intended primarily for emerging debut directors of feature film (drama or documentary), but will also consider those wishing to establish careers in TV drama and scripted content.
Applicants must apply with a project, but the Incubator is primarily focused on filmmaker development, not project development.
The objectives of the Incubator are:
- Increase the number of women directing features and TV drama.
- Connect producers, broadcasters, funders and other industry professionals with female directors with a view to getting more female-centric stories into and through development.
- Create networking opportunities for women directors to further their projects and careers.
- Inspire and encourage women directors to passionately pursue feature film and drama directing careers through interaction with successful women who serve as role models.
- Improve directors’ understanding of the business of film and television drama.
Workshops
Participants will attend five one-day workshops across 2022 with the first scheduled to take place in May. All workshops are intended to be held in Auckland, and a travel allowance will be available for participants based in other regions. For safety reasons, all applicants need to have had at least two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Participants need access to a computer to participate via Zoom if the workshops are affected by COVID-19 traffic light settings.
The workshops are individually themed to provide specific knowledge, networks, skills, and inspiration that enable participants to advance themselves and their careers. As the global screen industry continues to undergo constant change, DEGANZ will remain flexible as to the actual content of the programme, seeking to incorporate information and opportunities that are relevant.
Eligibility
All applicants will be expected to have a good level of directing experience with scripted content, such as acclaimed web series, shorts with festival success, TV commercials, or broadcast content.
Applicants must:
- Have an active project (feature film, documentary feature, telefeature, TV/online drama or scripted series) in development that has never been presented to a broadcaster or funder. It is preferable that the project is at least at first draft script but if not available, there must be a detailed Writer’s Treatment for the project. A Director’s Treatment that includes style, tone, imagery, etc. is NOT requested. The applicant does not have to be the writer on the project.
- Have experience as a director of scripted content (drama, comedy) or documentary in the form of the project they are submitting, i.e. if you are applying with a narrative drama project, you must have experience directing narrative drama, or if it’s comedy, experience directing comedy, etc.
- Have a directing credit on one of the following:
- a short film selected for one of the NZFC’s Recommended Short Film Festivals, the New Zealand International Film Festival, Show Me Shorts Film Festival or Doc Edge Festival.
- a commissioned scripted one-off or series by a broadcaster or digital platform.
- a self-funded web series that has won or been nominated for an award.
- For feature film, be a debut director.
- Be available to participate in all workshops and have a valid My Vaccine Pass.
- Identify as female.
- Be a NZ Citizen or permanent resident.
Membership
Selected participants must be DEGANZ Full members for the duration of the Incubator programme.
Selection Process
A selection panel will shortlist candidates. Shortlisted candidates must be available for a one-on-one interview via Zoom in mid-March. Getting an interview does not imply that you have been selected for the Incubator.
If shortlisted, you will be expected to immediately supply prior to the interview a detailed Writer’s Treatment of your active project (different to your 1-page synopsis). The treatment needs to be within a minimum of 5 pages to a maximum of 10 pages.
The Incubator participants will be selected from the shortlist following the interview.
Decisions will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
How to Apply
Application Deadline: 10AM, Friday 18 February 2022
Application Requirements:
- A completed DEGANZ Women Filmmakers Incubator Application Cover Sheet.
- A 1-page synopsis of the project with the ending revealed.
- A maximum 2-page letter stating what your career goals are and why you want to participate in this Incubator.
- A 1-page bio (not a CV).
- A filmography and any additional links to completed work that supports the project you are including with this application.
Compile your documents into a single PDF file* in the order matching requirements 1 – 5.
Give your PDF the following naming convention:
(YourName)_DEGANZWomenFilmmakersIncubator_2022
Send your application to admin@deganz.co.nz with DEGANZWFI2022 in the subject line.
The Incubator is made possible thanks to the generous support of the New Zealand Film Commission.
Questions about the Incubator?
Tui Ruwhiu
Executive Director
tui@deganz.co.nz
+64 21 659 950
Last updated on 21 January 2022
