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Applications are now open for the second annual Dart Center Documentary Film Fellowship, an immersive, weeklong fellowship for senior and mid-career documentary filmmakers who wish to deepen their knowledge of emotional trauma and psychological injury, delve into documentary ethics and craft challenges, and enrich their engagement around violence, conflict and tragedy.
Opportunity Details
Open to professional documentary filmmakers from all over the world, the Dart Center Documentary Film Fellowship will take place February 9-15, 2025 in Orlando, Florida.
The week-long fellowship will bring 12 filmmakers together with leading experts on core issues of trauma science as well as innovators in documentary practice, providing a forum for the exchange of ideas, experiences and challenges in the profession.
Seminars will focus on ethical documentary reporting and engagement of vulnerable people in all stages of production; narrative and craft challenges specific to documentary film; duty of care to subjects and sources; self-care and resilience; as well as organizational and peer support from pre-production through film distribution.
The program will equip filmmakers with the knowledge and skills to approach victims and survivors with sensitivity and depth; understand the complexity of trauma survivors' experiences; tell more insightful, multi-dimensional and nuanced stories about those impacted by trauma; make more informed, ethical choices when covering traumatic events; and create self-care and peer support plans that span development through distribution, awards and streaming runs.
The fellowship covers round trip travel, seven nights of lodging, meals and expenses directly related to participation, such as ground transportation in Florida. The program does not cover health or travel insurance, visa costs, additional nights of lodging beyond the program’s duration or ground transportation in fellows’ home cities.
The fellowship covers round trip travel, seven nights of lodging, meals and expenses directly related to participation, such as ground transportation in Florida. The program does not cover health or travel insurance, visa costs, additional nights of lodging beyond the program’s duration or ground transportation in fellows’ home cities.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Applications are reviewed by a judging committee composed of Dart Center staff, Fellowship faculty, Columbia Journalism School faculty, and experienced filmmakers. Judges consider a variety of factors when evaluating applications, with an emphasis on whether applicants demonstrate consistent and thoughtful engagement with issues of violence, conflict, tragedy and their aftermath; have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their careers; and will likely contribute meaningfully to the fellowship and fellows cohort.
To apply for the fellowship, you must create a free account on Submittable.
To submit a completed application, you will need:
Applications will not be accepted by employees of Columbia Journalism School or student filmmakers.
Please direct any queries to [email protected]
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Apply for Dart Documentary Film Fellowship 2024