Hot Docs announces funding for ‘unheard voices’ in filmmaking

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, in partnership with the R&M Lang Foundation, has launched the CrossCurrents Doc Fund, an international production fund that aims to foster documentary filmmaking from communities whose perspectives have been historically underrepresented or marginalised.

The Fund will provide one successful applicant with a grant of $10,000 each year.  It will support short to mid-length works by emerging filmmakers who aim to target broad audiences, reach across a range of communities, and encourage understanding and appreciation of unheard voices.

“It is an honour to announce the CrossCurrents Doc Fund,” said Hot Docs industry programmes director Elizabeth Radshaw. “This is an initiative born of inspiring generosity and one that will positively impact emerging filmmakers and diverse voices.”

“Many documentaries tell stories of people on the margins of mainstream societies, but they rarely originate from within the communities on which these films focus.” said Robert Lang, documentary filmmaker and chair of the R&M Lang Foundation.

In addition to a production grant, the successful recipient will also receive a Hot Docs Fellowship, which includes travel, accommodation, and accreditation for the annual Hot Docs Festival, and enrolment in the Doc Accelerator programme and mentorship initiatives.

Submissions for the CrossCurrents Doc Fund are now open, and the application deadline is 10 January 2014. Applicants must be 35 years of age or under and an emerging filmmaker with less than three previous professional directing credits. Applicants from anywhere in the world may apply. The project must be a low-budget, maximum $25,000 CDN, short to mid-length film.

Eligibility and application information

WorldView is a partner of Hot Docs