Along those lines, we are proud to be partnering with the Independent Feature Project (IFP), one of the country’s leading support organizations for independent filmmakers. In September, during IFP’s Market, we will be once again screening films from IFP’s Labs (and maybe more).
Given the pivotal role that festivals play in launching emerging filmmakers, IFP’s Rough Cut Labs are designed to assist in tackling the creative and technical challenges of completing projects before they are submitted to festivals. Led by seasoned independent producers, the Labs help independent filmmakers achieve the full potential of their material prior to industry exposure by providing four days of feedback and advice on the specific technical, creative and post-production issues such as editing, music selection and scoring, festival and press strategy, sales, marketing and distribution.
The program is open to all first-time, narrative & documentary feature filmmakers who have completed the majority of principal photography. As a commitment to diversity, IFP seeks to ensure that at least 50% of participating projects have an inclusive range of races, genders, sexual orientations, ethnicities and physical abilities in key creative positions.
Many Rooftop alums have come out of these Labs, including Todd Rohal (“The Guatemalan Handshake”), Kat Candler (“Roberta Wells”), Alex Karpovsky (“The Hole Story”), Eun-hee Cho (“Spin”), and Rooftop Filmmakers’ Fund awardee PJ Raval (“Best Kept Secret”). The advice and support filmmakers receive in these labs is invaluable, and we highly recommend them.
The Documentary Rough Cut Lab (May 6 – 9, 2008) and Narrative Rough Cut Lab (June 10-13, 2008) are held in New York City.
Full criteria and on-line application available at www.ifp.org/labs
If you’re applying, tell Milton Tabbot (documentary) and/or Amy Dotson (narrative) that you heard about it from Rooftop Films!