FUTURE LANDS: CALL FOR SHORT DOCUMENTARY FILM IDEAS

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The Prague Civil Society Centre, in cooperation with WATCH DOCS IFF and Current Time TV, is launching a call for story ideas to be developed into short documentary films by young documentary and video makers from Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia. Story ideas should offer reflections and perspectives of societies as they are today and how they could be tomorrow in the context of post-imperialism: the discoveries, re-discoveries, transformations, and imagination of identities of those societies.

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The call is structured in two steps.

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Step 1: Apply to participate in a workshop to develop the film idea.
Step 2: Apply for funding for making the film and its screening on Current Time TV. Only projects selected for the first call are eligible for the second call.

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Who can apply:‍
Young documentary and video makers up to the age of 40 from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are eligible to apply.

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Future Lands aspires to become a collection of short documentary stories that offers diverse narratives and understanding from a new generation of filmmakers examining the current and future state of their societies, challenges, and visions for the future, as seen through the post-imperial lens. The aim is not to immerse in the past but to focus on today's and tomorrow's encounters, struggles, opportunities, and inspirations.

We are expecting submissions from young video and documentary makers who have already created at least one short film. They can apply alone or with a producer. If the selected filmmaker does not have a producer, we can assist to find one.

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Application format:
Filmmakers should submit a one-page idea or a short treatment and a sample of visual material if they already have a short film in development matching the focus of this programme.

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We are looking for stories for short documentary films only. The intended length is around 20 minutes.
The proposals must be in English and a good level of English is essential for participation in the programme.

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Deadline for applications: 1 November 2024

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Preselected candidates will be invited for an online interview in mid-November 2024.

Programme structure:‍
A selection committee will choose up to 14 filmmakers for a 4-day workshop where they will develop their story ideas or projects. The workshop with mentors/documentary consultants will be held online in early December 2024.
After the workshop, filmmakers will submit updated materials and 7 projects will be selected for funding (EUR 10,000) for the production of their films.

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Filmmakers selected for this second part of the programme will be supported by mentors during all stages of making the film. Principal production should take place between January and May 2025 and the filmmakers will be asked to indicate their availability for this period.

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In the spring of 2025, there will be a 3-day online editing workshop where filmmakers will work on their rough-cuts together with an editing mentor.

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Following the editing workshop, filmmakers will further refine their rough-cuts and/or if necessary, do additional filming. Filmmakers are expected to finalise their films by the end of August 2025. Selected films will be screened on Current Time TV in 2025.

To apply, please fill out the form by 1 November.

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