Don't Go it Alone: Support for Justice Filmmakers
There is a stereotype of an artist beginning a new piece by staring at a blank pageāthe infamous, ominous, overwhelming, blank white page. But for justice and change-oriented indie filmmakers, what you start with is less like an empty space and more like a heapāa pile that looms to overwhelm a filmmaker before they can really begin. “The Pile” is the mountain of questions experts will tell you that you have to think about now, asap, immediately. Itās loaded with questions and demands like:
Whatās the message?
Why this story? And whatās the conflict?Ā
Why now?
How will it resolve?
How will you market? Start thinking about audiences and outreach.
Where will it be seen?
You need funding. You canāt do it for nothing.Ā
Not that much! Where can you cut the budget?
Think about the ethics.
Cover the legalities
How will the film lead to meaningful positive change anyway?
And of course,Ā who areĀ youĀ to tell this story?
Somehow, filmmakers manage to cut through, get films made, and have an impact. But in the current climate, theyāre doing that against the odds. If we want an informed, engaged, globally-minded, caring, and active culture, shouldnāt it be easier for truthful, diverse, human stories to be told?
As The Center for Media and Social Impact (CMSI) says:
“Intentional social impact efforts with documentary are challenging for a number of reasons. Adequate documentation, funding and support for social impact in the documentary space is notoriously sparseā¦ The field needs more spaces for community building within the field of social impact in documentaries.ā
Itās easy to see where CMSI is pointing us: the current climate is one of scarcity, and the solution starts with community.
As I said once before on the unRival Blog, in order for peacebuilders and change-makers āto avoid the dark side [of their vocations]… the simple solution is this: Donāt go it alone.ā
Thatās why unRival has opened the Film Lab with Justice Film Festival. The Fall Intensive offering will provide mentorship, learning, and professional development, yes, but that is not our focus. Our main goal is to build community. We want to see energy given back to people who pour themselves into their craft for the greater good.Ā
If youāre a filmmaker whoās tired of digging through āthe pileā all on your own, weāre here for you.
"Independent filmmakers spend a lot of time alone. So it's a space to spend time together."
What is the Film Lab Fall Intensive?
The Film Lab’s Fall Intensive is a cohort experience designed to foster the upcoming generation of justice filmmakers as they craft unique, diverse, and profoundly transformative stories. Our goal is to help filmmakers build a supportive community and achieve success in their careers without sacrificing their own well-being. Documentary and narrative filmmakers alike are invited to apply.
The Film Lab Experience
Participants in the Film Lab engage in candid discussions about the joys and sorrows (and ethics) of transformational storytelling. We will delve into both the professional and personal dimensions of the art form in an environment carefully designed to create a safe and nonrivalrous space of trust where mutual support thrives. We particularly encourage filmmakers with projects underway, especially those in the rough-cut phase, to apply.
Eight weekly, virtual group sessionsāeach two hours long.
Session format: a learning module and discussion, followed by a peer review of one participantās project.
Each participant also receives two one-on-one mentoring sessions (each 30 minutes long).
The upcoming Fall Intensive will take place virtually in the Fall of 2024. Exact dates will be determined to accommodate participantsā schedules as much as possible. In order to apply, schedule a free 30-minute consultation with Film Lab Program Director Billy Price no later than Sept 1, 2024.
Meet some of the mentors for our upcoming Film Lab Intensive:
Did you find value in this post? Consider the following:
- Moving Together: Seven Reasons that Group Work Works
- It’s Worseāand BetterāThan We Thought
- The unRival Spaces Podcast: The Film Lab with Billy Price & Suzanne Ross
Want to learn more about how unRival Network our programs are disrupting rivalry and advancing the cause of justice and peace? Click here to access our free resource,Ā Peace is Possible.
Explore Our Programs
Are you a peacebuilder?
Explore the Artisans of Peace (AoP) program and see if it’s a good fit for you!
Artisans of Peace is a leadership development program for grassroots peacebuilders. The program offers a nonrvialrous space to breathe, process, learn, and grow together.
The Film Lab fosters the upcoming generation of justice filmmakers and their creative journey of crafting unique and profound transformative stories, providing a space to grow, create, and share in nonrivalrous community.
Ā
