The Michelle Jackson Emerging Filmmaker Award

The Michelle Jackson Emerging Filmmaker Fund (MJ Fund) will give an annual award for the production of a short film. The award will be presented in the spring so that it can be completed in time to be screened at the St. John's International Women's Film Festival in October. Final film length shall not exceed 6 minutes. The award is open to female directors.

Award
o $4,000 cash award courtesy of CBC St. John's
o $10,000 in-kind equipment from PS Atlantic
o $ 5,000 in-kind post production services from NIFCO
o $ Buy 1 get 2 free, either 16mm or 35mm film stock from Kodak Canada Inc.
(total max of 2,400 ft of S16mm or 6'000 ft of 35mm)
o Production and Post services for a 6-minute film from Deluxe Toronto (no limit)
(Please note: Deluxe cannot process 16mm film)
o Short Shoot Insurance coverage from Fraser & Hoyt Insurance
o Script consultation with Gail Collins
o $ 1250 cash, $500 legal services and congratulatory luncheon courtesy of Stewart McKelvey
o $ 1500 cash from Newfoundland Labrador Film Development Corporation
o $ 1000 cash from Power Post Limited
o $ 500 cash from the Michelle Jackson Emerging Filmmaker Fund
o $ 500 cash from the St. John's International Women's Film Festival
o 2 Festival passes from the Atlantic Film Festival

Adjudication
Applications will be reviewed by a jury of experienced peers.

Eligibility
The Michelle Jackson Emerging Filmmaker Award is open to female filmmakers who have not yet completed three independent film or video works. "Independent", as defined by the Canada Council:

Independent means that the artist initiates and is the driving force behind the proposed project. The artist maintains complete creative and editorial control over the work.

If you are a filmmaker who has completed three independent works and you feel there are reasons you should be considered "emerging", you are invited to make a case. Please include the exhibition history of these works, list whether any were student films, etc.

Applicants or co-applicants must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants with permanent, ongoing residence in Newfoundland and Labrador (ie: have lived in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 12 months prior to the deadline).

All past MJ Fund awards given to the applicant must be completed and the final report submitted prior to applying for another grant.

Only Directors may apply.

Application material list:
· Application form
· Synopsis (25 words)
· Full draft script (max. 6 pages in standard screenwriting format)
· Project description (1-2 pages) which describes the style of the film
· Production schedule
· Post production plan
· Biography or curriculum vitae
· Short statement about how this award would benefit you as an emerging filmmaker
· Budget, itemized revenue and expenses
· Support material DVD only
· Other support material (e.g. published reviews, photographs, etc.)
· Entry fee of $20
· Courier account number or Self Addressed Stamped Envelope (with adequate postage) if you would like your materials returned. Materials can also be picked up at the Women's Film Festival office for a period following the jury meeting.

NOTE - all material will be duplicated for the jury's review - do not use staples or any type of binding.

Award recipients must agree to the following terms and conditions:
· Recipient will be assigned a mentor for the project
· To report project progress to the MJ Fund at intervals and manner specified in the Award contract.
· To acknowledge the Michelle Jackson Emerging Filmmaker Fund, the St. John's International Women's Film Festival and Award Sponsors by name in the project and to do so according to the terms of the Award contract.
· To complete the project within 6 months of the award announcement
· To have their name and image appear in publications.

Note: The St. John's International Women's Film Festival / Michelle Jackson Emerging Filmmaker Fund cannot assume responsibility for work lost or damaged in transit.