Training - Dogfen Feature Intensive

Dogfen Feature Intensive: Documentary Film Development Programme

COURSE DETAILS

How to beat the odds and persuade prestigious film funds to invest in your early-stage non-fiction feature.

Two-day Residential Workshop

This two-day (2 nights) workshop explores how to conceive and persuasively communicate cinematic feature-length non-fiction films that can land with film fund assessors and global audiences.  Embracing the whole spectrum of arthouse, independent and commercial non-fiction for the cinema, the weekend workshop is designed for emerging Welsh filmmakers, looking to enter the global feature doc market.

Over the course of the programme, you will meet people who have directed, produced, sold, or distributed theatrical non-fiction globally.  You will drill down into the key elements of successful films and get advice on how best to present your film to highly competitive national and international film development funds and ultimately, the wider global market.

If you think you may have the makings of the next festival darling or global sales hit, then we would love you to apply.

This FREE training will be delivered by experts working in the industry.  This in-person training will cover topics such as:

  • Silver Screen Nuts & Bolts: Understanding the filmmaking elements of a made-for-cinema documentary
  • Commercial or Critical; choosing your route to success
  • Comparable Films: Making references work for you
  • Visually Communicating Your Film - tasters, reels, trailers and look books
  • Pictures into Words: Loglines, synopses, treatments, letters of motivation
  • Who does what?  Producer and director roles and responsibilities
  • Brass Tacks: Practical budgeting and finance planning
  • Securing informed access and Intellectual Property Rights
  • Knowing your audiences and how to reach them
  • Diversity, Inclusion & Sustainability: Requirements of Public Funders
  • Business Basics for Producers New to Film

DELIVERY DETAILS

A. HOW THIS WORKS

This programme is fully funded by Media Cymru and supported by Ffilm Cymru Wales and Ymddiried Media Grants Cymru.

B. WHO CAN APPLY?

This course is open to emerging filmmakers and/or producer/director teams who are committed to making their first feature documentary for the cinema, working in or based in Wales. You must have more than two years’ screen industry experience in non-fiction filmmaking; meaning you will have produced or directed at least one short independent non-fiction film, or two factual television programmes.

We particularly welcome applications from Welsh speakers and under-represented groups.

Applicants must have a feature documentary project in early development.

There are 12 places available for emerging filmmakers working as producer / director teams.

C. WHEN & WHERE?

The application process will close on Friday 1 November 2024.

Successful applicants will be notified by Monday 25 November 2024.

This fully catered residential course will take place on the following dates in this beautiful mid-Wales location:

  • 10-12 January 2025 at the Centre for Alternative Technology, Llwyngwern Quarry, Pantperthog, Machynlleth SY20 9AZ
  • Arrival from 3pm, Friday 10 January – introductions, dinner, and screening
  • Departure 5pm, Sunday 12 January 2025

D. WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?

Media Cymru will also be able to make a contribution towards costs of attendance/travel to and from the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT). Accommodation and meals at CAT are also included.

Once the training is complete, each film project will be awarded a mentoring budget of up to £1000.  Each team will work towards a full-conceived and well-written film fund application through a series of one-to-one coaching sessions with hand-picked, highly experienced documentary film producers, on an exclusive basis.

At the end of the coaching period, producers and applicants will be free to continue working together by mutual consent.

E. ACCESS AND ACCESSIBILITY

If you have any specific requirements that would make this application more accessible to you (such as advice, scribing or reading support) or would like this application in an alternative format (video or audio formats, audio narration, large font, plain text, or alternative language) please email [email protected]

The full set of application questions are available here.

F. ANY QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]