For the first time in its five-year history and as part of its Diversity focus, the DEGNZ Emerging Women Filmmakers Incubator for 2021 will focus solely on a Diversity call for applications.
The Directors & Editors Guild of NZ welcomes applications from Māori, Pacific Island, Pan-Asian and other POC female directors to take part in this talent development programme.
Background
The overall vision of the DEGNZ Women Filmmakers 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 and funders 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 2021 with the first scheduled to take place in late April. All workshops are intended to be held in Auckland, and a travel allowance will be available for participants based in other regions.
Participants need access to a computer (recommended) or another device to participate online via Zoom, if the workshops are affected by COVID-19 Alert Levels.
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 undergoes constant change at this time, DEGNZ 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, Look & Feel, 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 any regional film festival in New Zealand. You need to supply in your filmography and links section the Festival Name, Year of Selection, and a link to the full film or content selected, for viewing purposes.
- a commissioned scripted one-off or series by a broadcaster or digital platform. You need to supply in your filmography and links section the Broadcaster or Platform Name, Year of First Broadcast/Play, and a link to content commissioned, for viewing purposes.
- For feature film, be a debut director.
- Be available to participate in all workshops.
- Identify as female and be of Māori, Pacific Island, Pan-Asian or other POC heritage.
- Be a NZ Citizen or permanent resident.
Membership
Selected participants must be DEGNZ Full members for the duration of the Incubator programme.
How to Apply
Application Deadline: 9AM, Monday 12 April 2021
Application Requirements:
- A completed DEGNZ Women Filmmakers Incubator Application Cover Sheet (PDF 291KB).
- A one-page synopsis of the project with the ending revealed.
- A maximum two-page letter stating what your career goals are and why you want to participate in this Incubator.
- A one-page bio (not a CV).
- A filmography and links to completed work that supports the project you are including with this application. Include details as per eligibility requirement 3.
Compile your documents into one single PDF in the order matching requirements 1 – 5.
Give the single PDF the following naming convention: (YourName)_DEGNZWomenFilmmakersIncubator_2021
Send your application to admin@deganz.co.nz with DEGNZWFI2021 in the subject line.
Selection Process
A selection panel will shortlist candidates. Shortlisted candidates must be available for a one-on-one interview via Zoom to be held in the week of April 12. 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.
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 9 360 2102
