The Goal:
The goal of the Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund is to help our filmmakers make creative, intelligent, low-budget short films.
Who Is Eligible:
Any filmmaker who has ever screend a film at Rooftop Films. Please note that only filmmakers whose works have been screened previously by Rooftop Films may apply for funding. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, please send us an email or call 718-417-7362.
What We Have:
+ $7,756 in cash grants
+ DV camera (for loan)
+ Senneheiser wireless microphone (for loan)
+ Access to Avid Xpress DV and/or Final Cut Pro workstations (in Brooklyn, NY)
+ Access to professional post-production services at PostWorks NY
+ Crew from our staff, including: an editor, a documentary DOP, a still photographer, a composer, a sound engineer/editor, a line producer
Selection Criteria: We are open to any genre or type of film, but in our choosing of grantees, we are biased toward:
+ People who convince us they will actually produce another movie with these resources.
+ People who do not have access to other resources.
+ People who make the kind of movies that we don't see enough of (see below).
+ People who use money and materials sparingly and wisely.
+ Films with rooftops in them.
Films we don't see enough of:
+ Intelligent political films: whether documentaries or fiction, drama or comedy, experimental or animation, we see a dearth of thoughtful, well-researched, well-reasoned movies that actively seek to change our world for the better.
+ Films with people of color in primary production roles.
Crucial Elements:
+ We need to be convinced that you will make this film as it as presented and in a timely fashion. If you can provide
a production schedule and convincing reasons as to why you will adhere to it, that's great.
+ The minimum cash grant we would give to any one filmmaker is $250.
+ The maximum cash grant we would give to any one filmmaker is $3,000.
+ We often fund specific line items in your budget, so the more specific you can be, the better.
+ For short films, we will fund any element of pre-production, production or post-production.
+ For feature films, we are more likely to provide finishing funds than initial funds.
+ While we may divide the grants in any number of ways, and service grants could go out to many filmmakers, the cash is most likely to be divided by 3 or 4 filmmakers, for at least one film that is assured to be done in time for screening during the Summer Series 2006.
+ We are more likely to fund films for which we will have a large impact. That is, we are more likely to fund $2,000
of a $2,500 total budget or $500 of a $500 total budget than $500 of a total $20,000 budget.
Advice:
All filmmakers are encouraged to contact Rooftop Artistic Director Mark Rosenberg with a draft of their application for advice. Email us, or call 718-417-7362.
Due to time constraints, we can only provide one round of notes, but simple questions are welcome any time.
Selection Process:
The grants will be decided by Rooftop Films' staff, and money and equipment will be dispersed after the final decisions are made. We may choose to disperse funds over a few months, rather than all at once, depending on various production schedules.
There may be things we would want to see changed in the proposed project, or we may want to participate in the production in order to provide funding. If you are not comfortable with our suggestions, there will be an opportunity to tell us if a second round comes into play.
The Application:
You can download it here. The application asks for the following information:
+ Your name and contact information.
+ A description of the film you want to make.
+ A production plan.
+ A budget.
+ What you want from us.
+ A few lines about yourself.
Returning the Application: Send 3 copies of the completed application to:
Rooftop Films
Attn: Filmmakers' Fund
PMB 401
285 5th Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11215
You can attach additional materials as well, but please include 3 copies. Materials cannot be returned without a self-addressed stamped envelope.
You are also encouraged to send footage, rough cuts, fine cuts, etc. in any format. Please do not send masters or your only copy.
Deadlines:
+ Applications due: postmarked by December 15, 2005
+ Applicants notified: January 30, 2006
Payments / Reporting:
+ We may choose to disperse funds over a few months, rather than all at once, depending on various production schedules.
+ You will be expected to complete your project on schedule.
+ If you are rewarded a grant, you will be expected to file one very simple progress report and one very simple completion report, which we will send to you at the appropriate times.
Good luck! We're excited to hear about your next projects, and to help them get made and get screened on the roof.
