Personal tools
You are here: Home Features Opportunities film

The X-Interview
Josephine Nzerem

Featured Blogger
let there d.light!

Issue Area
Microfinance

Our New Blog
SVT On Impact

 

film

Social Equity Venture Fund - S.E.VEN film competition: Cinema Prosperite

Filed Under:

$35,000 in Prizes to be awarded to Top Videos Profiling Entrepreneurs. Deadline approaching: September 15, 2008.

Today, the Social Equity Venture Fund - S.E.VEN announced a first of its kind film competition, Cinema Prosperite, that offers filmmakers a medium to encourage and promote enterprise-based solutions to poverty through imagery. The public competition seeks short films (2-5 minutes) that showcase the story of an entrepreneur - to show what odds they've overcome, the impact they've had on the world and how they've still managed/are managing to achieve their goals.

This first-of-its-kind film competition invites filmmakers to submit short films highlighting entrepreneurs. The $35,000 in prizes will be split amongst the top three filmmakers and the entrepreneurs they profile. The competition will remain open until September 15, with the winning videos being selected in early October by a jury that includes international businesspeople, development experts, and Academy Award short-listed documentary filmmakers.

The competition actively seeks short videos (two to five minutes) that use the power of film to showcase the story of an entrepreneur – to show the story of what odds this person has overcome, what impact they have had on the world, and how they’ve managed to achieve their goals. Profiled entrepreneurs will be engaging in for-profit, sustainable and ethical business practices.

A grand prize of $20,000 will be awarded to the top-ranked video: $10,000 to the filmmaker, and $10,000 to the profiled entrepreneur. A second prize of $10,000 ($5,000 to the filmmaker and $5,000 to the profiled entrepreneur), and a third prize of $5,000 ($2,500 to the filmmaker and $2,500 to the profiled entrepreneur) will also be awarded. Members of the online Cinéma Prospérité community will select five finalists between September 15 and September 30, 2008. The winners will be announced on October 7, 2008.

“The competition is meant to share the stories of entrepreneurs who are the core of enterprise solutions to poverty,” said Andreas Widmer, co-founder of the S.E.VEN Fund. “By recognizing these individuals through a powerful medium such as film, S.E.VEN also hopes to inspire others. “

This competition was funded through a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation. For additional information about S.E.VEN Fund and to view other contests, projects, and previous winners, please visit  www.sevenfund.org.

About the S.E.VEN Fund
S.E.VEN (Social Equity Venture Fund – www.sevenfund.org) is a virtual non-profit entity run by entrepreneurs Michael Fairbanks and Andreas Widmer whose strategy is to markedly increase the rate of diffusion of enterprise-based solutions to poverty. We do this by targeted investment that fosters thought leadership through books, films and websites; supporting role models - whether they are entrepreneurs or innovative firms - in developing nations; and shaping a new discourse in government, the press and the academy around private-sector innovation, prosperity and progressive human values.
About the John Templeton Foundation

The John Templeton Foundation (www.templeton.org) serves as a philanthropic catalyst for discovery in the areas engaging life's biggest questions. These questions range from explorations into the laws of nature and the universe to questions on the nature of love, gratitude, forgiveness and creativity.

The Modern Story Fellow

Filed Under:

Seeking fellow for October-January teaching semester, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Looking for a fellow for October-January teaching semester. Respond Immediately!

The Modern Story is a grassroots initiative that implements a self-designed digital storytelling curriculum and multimedia skill set in two governmental schools in Andhra Pradesh, India. The Modern Story is looking for fellows for its fellowship program which 1) introduces to, and then sustains progressive pedagogies and a creative multimedia curriculum in governmental schools in the greater Hyderabad region, and 2) offers undergraduates and young persons in the U.S., the opportunity to participate directly in volunteer work abroad within the field of education and technology. The fellowship takes place during two stints throughout the year: (July-September, and October-January).

Fellows will spend three months teaching a group of twenty four students at two schools 5 days a week. They will teach students to operate filmmaking equipment while encouraging creative expression and student centered learning around topics of social importance. The students will learn the process of digital storytelling or filmmaking in steps, and create a final product at the end of the three months to share with the wider world via a weblog. Travel and accommodation expenses will be provided for. Fellows will be expected to participate in fundraising strategies before, during or after their trip to India.

The Modern Story is specifically looking for applicants who are interested in joining a fellow for the months of  October-January. Please contact us immediately if you are interested and have a background in teaching and/or digital media.
How to Apply:
If you are interested in the Fellowship (now or for the future) read more here (www.themodernstory.wordpress.com/fellowship) and send an email to Piya Kashyap and Remy Mansfield at themodernstory@gmail.com with your resume and statement of interest.

Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program

Request for proposals for social entrepreneurship documentaries open. Deadline for submissions August 15, 2008.

Stories of Change: Social Entrepreneurship in Focus Through Documentary

STORIES OF CHANGE Objective:

The Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program and the Skoll Foundation have partnered in a three-year initiative to explore how independent feature-length documentary film can advance knowledge about social entrepreneurship.

The Stories of Change Fund will consider independent feature-length documentary projects in all categories of development, production and post-production. Completed films are note eligible. Film projects must be completed by 2010. Grant awards will be made on a case-by-case basis and may range up to $150,000 US per film.

This is a one-time only RFP.

Grants will be awarded based on the following criteria:

  • All films must highlight and /or include a contemporary social entrepreneur, their organization and a focus on the issues in which the entrepreneurs are seeking a systemic and positive change.
  • All films must be feature length (over 65 minutes).
  • All films must be independently produced, with creative control held by the producing/directing team.
  • Films must display directorial vision/aesthetic and have the potential for theatrical release.

Sundance Documentary Film Program is part of the non-profit Sundance Institute. Dedicated to the discovery and support of artists, grants will be awarded to independent documentary film projects selected from the applicants. Sundance Institute reserves the right to solicit proposals. Please note that Sundance Institute seeks no licensing rights in the documentary film projects we support. Details of the contract will be presented to projects that are finalists.

This will be a competitive fund please make sure the project is appropriate to the guidelines. Questions can be directed to dfpskoll@sundance.org.

The submission period is open from June 15, 2008 until the deadline of Friday, August 15, 2008. If you think your film meets the above criteria, please continue the online application below.

Filmmakers will be notified no later than December 1st if their submission has reached the final selection.

Learn more.

Read the FAQ.

Apply now.

FRONTLINE World Social Entrepreneurs Film Program

Request for Proposals from Public Libraries: Application Deadline: August 1, 2008 (receipt deadline).

The FRONTLINE/World Social Entrepreneurs Film Program is a grant opportunity, open to public and academic libraries, that supports a screening and discussion of a series of short documentary films on social entrepreneurs around the world. The library program seeks to connect communities to the concept of social entrepreneurship and to promote dialogue on a local level. Funding for the library program is provided through a grant from the PBS Foundation and the Skoll Foundation.

FRONTLINE/World is the award-winning PBS international news magazine that turns its lens on the global community, covering countries and cultures rarely seen on American television. Our special Social Entrepreneurs Series home page features the stories of people whose ideas and organizations create new and sustainable markets and services that benefit underserved communities everywhere in the developing world. Entrepreneurs change the face of business; social entrepreneurs change society by creating solutions to social problems that leap beyond charity and encourage the development of systematic solutions that help eradicate poverty, enhance educational opportunities, provide better health care and champion social justice. Thirteen short programs are available to view in full online, and three new programs will air in May and June 2008.

Grant Opportunity Summary:
Forty (40) public and academic libraries will receive grants of $500 each and support materials from the FRONTLINE/World Social Entrepreneurs Film Program. Libraries will hold a FRONTLINE/World Social Entrepreneurs film viewing and discussion program, and at least one related program (panel, lecture, forum or other format) on the topic of social entrepreneurship in partnership with a local or regional community organization.

The goal of the FRONTLINE/World Social Entrepreneurs Film Program is to engage the general public, students and professionals in a discussion with leaders in business, humanitarian aid, academia and/or social activism on the concept of social entrepreneurship as a way to create meaningful solutions to social problems in developing countries, in contemporary society and in our local communities.

How to Apply:
Review the guidelines and complete the application on the following pages. E-mail application to libraries@flworld.org.

Application Deadline: August 1, 2008 (receipt deadline)

Libraries will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of their application. Libraries will be notified if their applications are accepted or not by August 10, 2008.

“Calling all Earthkeepers” Video Contest

Entrants have a chance to win $5,000 to further their environmental work.

On June 10, The Timberland Company announced the global launch of the Earthkeeper campaign, a movement to recruit one million people to become part of an online network designed to inspire real environmental behavior change.

The Earthkeeper network is a forum where people who share energy and interest in the notion of protecting our planet can share information and inspiration, and the Earthkeeper campaign will be a way to translate lots of passionate talk and ideas into positive, practical action.

Why TBL developed the EK campaign:
There’s an emerging effort by companies to try to figure out how to engage with consumers about the environment. One key question is how to do it appropriately.  Timberland is widely seen as an innovator in CSR practices, and the company believes that businesses have a responsibility to the community and to its consumers to do "good." Timberland's goal is to inspire environmental stewardship by consumers.  Timberland has been "walking the walk," or “Earthkeeping,” for years, and good CSR practices have been critically important internally. Efforts have been shared periodically w/ a niche group of targeted peers and thought leaders through CSR conferences like Ceres and BSR Annual Conferences, but not much energy has been spent in educating consumers of Timberland's CSR in a way that is meaningful and impactful to this important group.

So, what is the Earthkeeper campaign?
As part of the Earthkeeper program, Timberland has launched an innovative global network of online social networking tools, including partnerships with Changents.com, a strong Facebook presence, a YouTube Earthkeeper Brand Channel and a richly-populated Earthkeeper blog. Uniting these various Earthkeeper “channels” is www.earthkeeper.com, a website which allows users to navigate through the Earthkeeper network based on their level of interest in learning more or engaging in Earthkeeping.  Earthkeepers can share ideas and activities via these online venues, making it quick, simple and entertaining to learn, and discuss greener lifestyles. Earthkeeper forums have been created on YouTube (www.earthkeeper.com/youtube), Facebook (www.earthkeeper.com/facebook), Changents.com (www.earthkeeper.com/changents), and the Earthkeeper blog (www.earthkeeper.com/blog).

How online social networking can lead to real environmental action:
We know that most of us are aware that the environment is in trouble, and that many of us don't know how to fix it. The Earthkeeper campaign helps us see that every little thing we do can help- and, together, we can inspire each other to do more. The Calling All Earthkeepers contest invites us to share our Earthkeeping story, and have a blast while doing it!
Calling all Earthkeepers contest:
  • YouTube is a site that most of us use, "just for fun." But what if YouTube was a venue on which real environmental action could be shared, thereby inspiring real eco action among the larger, offline population? The Timberland Company is hosting a revolutionary contest, where everyday Earthkeepers are invited to document and share their own Earthkeeping projects. Earthkeeping can be anything you do to lighten your environmental footprint- from ditching your car for the summer and commuting to work on bike, setting up a communal compost bin in your neighborhood, or adopting an abandoned city lot and creating green space. These projects can be funny or serious, and can be independent projects, group projects, or school projects. Videos can be uploaded until July 26, and will be posted on the Earthkeeper channel at http://www.youtube.com/earthkeepers.
  • You decide how you want to share your story: You can simply upload your Earthkeeping video to the YouTube contest- where the winners in each of three categories -- 1. most humorous, 2. most unique/informative, and 3. most motivating/engaging -- will receive $300 worth of Timberland gear.
  • And, if you are really inspired, and believe you can start an eco-movement with your concept, enter the "Be an Earthkeeper Hero" competition. To win this phase of the contest, you'll need to attract "backers"- but don't worry, we'll give you the tools to do this using the storytelling platform on Changents.com. You'll upload your video to http://www.changents.com/earthkeepers-int, and start promoting yourself by sharing photos, blog entries, podcasts, Twitters and more. The grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 prize, an opportunity to be featured in a 2009 Timberland advertising campaign, plus $500 in TBL gear.

Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award for Television 2008

Entries must have been broadcast between June 2007 and May 2008, and must be received by 30 June 2008.

The ABU, CASBAA and UNICEF are now calling on Asia-Pacific broadcasters and producers for entries for the ABU CASBAA UNICEF Child Rights Award 2008.

The Award is made each year to the best television programming on children’s rights produced in the Asia-Pacific region. It recognizes the efforts of broadcasters in pursuing both the production of top quality children’s programming and better news coverage of children’s issues. There is only one category and one winner.

Programmes both for children and about children are eligible and can cover any child rights’ issue. Entries can include documentaries that detail the plight of children, dramas that help break down stereotypes and discrimination, or animation that teaches and entertains. Entries must have been broadcast between June 2007 and May 2008, and must be received by 30 June 2008. The Award will be presented at the 45th ABU General Assembly & Associated Meeting in Bali on 24 November 2008. The winner will be flown to Bali for the ceremony.

The ABU CASBAA UNICEF Child Rights Award has proved to be a tremendous success since its inception in 2001, last year attracting more than 60 entries from more than10 countries.

Eligible Countries (47 countries):
Afghanistan, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, DPR Korea, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, , Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Korea, Lao PDR, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, ,Marshal Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea , Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Timor Leste, Thailand, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam

Please visit the Call for Entries page to download a copy of the entry form.

Further information on the Award, previous year’s winners and Rules and Regulations are also available here.

Culture Unplugged Film Festival 08 : East Speaks, Here

Filed Under:

Asia & Middle East 's first online film festival

You are invited to the Film Festival 08 : East Speaks, Here - Asia & Middle East 's first online film festival, now live at www.cultureunplugged.com

The hearts & minds of storytellers, from various countries, unveiled at this open film festival presented by Culture Unplugged Studios in partnership with you and all the film-makers participating.

The festival, wishing to focus on not just films, nor just film-makers, but the consciousness transplanted thru cinema.
  • Be the jury and Enjoy!
  • Watch, vote and spread the buzz in your community, on your social networks, in your blogs.
  • Promote films. Promote consciousness.
Enjoy,
Culture Unplugged Film Festival Team

Picture TV seeks five extraordinary actors for ground breaking feature film

Interested applicants age 18 and 30 should send a one minute video diary to Picture TV in Clerkenwell, London to be considered.

HELP CHANGE THE WORLD

PICTURE TV based in Clerkenwell, London are looking for FIVE EXTRAORDINARY ACTORS from all over the world, aged between 18 and 30 to make a ground breaking feature film on the state of the economy and its effects on our planet. The project will involve traveling to Africa and Asia, and you will be expected to write a blog and at times self shoot video for the project. It's a ground breaking idea that will catapult you into the public eye, but will also take up much of your time over the next two years.

It is therefore ESSENTIAL that you apply to this opportunity ONLY if you are committed to making a difference in this world.

We are expecting to take our time over this casting process, as we are committed to finding the right people to front our film. This is a film and does require acting, however we are more interested in your passion for activism than acting experience.

Please send us a -ONE MINUTE VIDEO DIARY- telling us who you are, and your thoughts on our society's effects on the planet AND 100 words describing yourself, your experience and a contact email. Do not send CV's or any other information, as we are already stretched thin in our research of this important subject.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to apply for this, we are very excited by this project and look forward to meeting you very soon.

All video should be less than 10mb and sent to casting at: Picture Television

Social Equity Venture Fund - S.E.VEN film competition: Cinema Prosperite

$35,000 in Prizes to be awarded to Top Videos Profiling Entrepreneurs. Deadline to enter is September 15, 2008.

Today, the Social Equity Venture Fund - S.E.VEN announced a first of its kind film competition, Cinema Prosperite, that offers filmmakers a medium to encourage and promote enterprise-based solutions to poverty through imagery. The public competition seeks short films (2-5 minutes) that showcase the story of an entrepreneur - to show what odds they've overcome, the impact they've had on the world and how they've still managed/are managing to achieve their goals.

This first-of-its-kind film competition invites filmmakers to submit short films highlighting entrepreneurs. The $35,000 in prizes will be split amongst the top three filmmakers and the entrepreneurs they profile. The competition will remain open until September 15, with the winning videos being selected in early October by a jury that includes international businesspeople, development experts, and Academy Award short-listed documentary filmmakers.

The competition actively seeks short videos (two to five minutes) that use the power of film to showcase the story of an entrepreneur – to show the story of what odds this person has overcome, what impact they have had on the world, and how they’ve managed to achieve their goals. Profiled entrepreneurs will be engaging in for-profit, sustainable and ethical business practices.

A grand prize of $20,000 will be awarded to the top-ranked video: $10,000 to the filmmaker, and $10,000 to the profiled entrepreneur. A second prize of $10,000 ($5,000 to the filmmaker and $5,000 to the profiled entrepreneur), and a third prize of $5,000 ($2,500 to the filmmaker and $2,500 to the profiled entrepreneur) will also be awarded. Members of the online Cinéma Prospérité community will select five finalists between September 15 and September 30, 2008. The winners will be announced on October 7, 2008.

“The competition is meant to share the stories of entrepreneurs who are the core of enterprise solutions to poverty,” said Andreas Widmer, co-founder of the S.E.VEN Fund. “By recognizing these individuals through a powerful medium such as film, S.E.VEN also hopes to inspire others. “

This competition was funded through a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation. For additional information about S.E.VEN Fund and to view other contests, projects, and previous winners, please visit www.sevenfund.org.

About the S.E.VEN Fund
S.E.VEN (Social Equity Venture Fund – www.sevenfund.org) is a virtual non-profit entity run by entrepreneurs Michael Fairbanks and Andreas Widmer whose strategy is to markedly increase the rate of diffusion of enterprise-based solutions to poverty. We do this by targeted investment that fosters thought leadership through books, films and websites; supporting role models - whether they are entrepreneurs or innovative firms - in developing nations; and shaping a new discourse in government, the press and the academy around private-sector innovation, prosperity and progressive human values.
About the John Templeton Foundation

The John Templeton Foundation (www.templeton.org) serves as a philanthropic catalyst for discovery in the areas engaging life's biggest questions. These questions range from explorations into the laws of nature and the universe to questions on the nature of love, gratitude, forgiveness and creativity.

Pangea Day

Filed Under:

"Bringing the world together through film." Find out how you can attend, or host, an event on May 10, 2008

The Pangea Day Mission & Purpose

Pangea Day is a global event bringing the world together through film.

Why? In a world where people are often divided by borders, difference, and conflict, it's easy to lose sight of what we all have in common. Pangea Day seeks to overcome that – to help people see themselves in others – through the power of film.

The Pangea Day Event

Starting at 18:00 GMT on May 10, 2008, locations in Cairo, Kigali, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, and Rio de Janeiro will be linked for a live program of powerful films, live music, and visionary speakers. The entire program will be broadcast – in seven languages – to millions of people worldwide through the internet, television, and mobile phones.

The 24 short films to be featured have been selected from an international competition that generated more than 2,500 submissions from over one hundred countries. The films were chosen based on their ability to inspire, transform, and allow us see the world through another person's eyes. Details on the Pangea Day films can be viewed here.

The program will also include a number of exceptional speakers and musical performers. Queen Noor of Jordan, CNN's Christiane Amanpour, musician/activist Bob Geldof, and Iranian rock phenom Hypernova are among those taking part.

Attend an event near you.

Host an event.

Newsletter
Social entrepreneur news. No spam.

Manage Subscription
Archives
Top Discussions
Things To Do
Bookmarklets

Bookmark and share.

del.icio.us Digg Yahoo Google Reddit