MFG NEWS / NOUVELLES DU MFG

QUEBECOR DOCUMENTARY FELLOWSHIP LAUNCHED; APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED

Hot Docs and the Documentary Organisation of Canada (DOC) are pleased to announce the creation of the Quebecor Documentary Fellowship programme. Aimed at mid-level filmmakers from diverse ethno-cultural communities, the programme is designed to provide a range of invaluable professional development and networking opportunities for those seeking to pursue documentary production as a viable, long-term career option.

The Quebecor Documentary Fellowship will provide opportunities for a total of 15 filmmakers in 2006-2007. Five applicants will be selected to receive full fellowships, providing them with access to a slate of activities designed to hone their skills as filmmakers, boost their business acumen and provide them with valuable professional contacts, all with the goal of launching them into the next stage of their careers. These five Quebecor Fellows will be matched with senior producers from within the DOC community who will act as mentors for the duration of programme. They will partake in a year-round schedule consisting of eight DOC-run workshops and development sessions and ten formal and informal networking events to help introduce them into the DOC community and wider professional circles.

In the spring, these five Quebecor Fellows will receive full accreditation to Hot Docs (April 20-29, 2007), providing them with access to all the professional programming, events and screenings offered at North America's largest documentary festival and market. During the Festival, they will also participate in either the Doc Lab, an intensive five-day creative development workshop which offers intimate sessions with leading documentary practitioners, or as an observer at the Toronto Documentary Forum (April 25-26, 2007), Hot Docs' flagship market event which raises international co-financing for projects in development. In addition to the five full fellowships, ten partial fellowships will also be awarded, the recipients of which will receive access to select DOC events as well as full industry accreditation at the 2007 Hot Docs Festival.

Applications for the Quebecor Documentary Fellowship programme are now being accepted. Interested candidates can obtain full eligibility requirements and application guidelines at www.hotdocs.ca. The deadline for applications is 5:00 pm on Monday, August 28, 2006.

Questions about the programme or the application process can be directed to Sadia Mir, Toronto Coordinator - DOC, at 416-599-3844 ext. 3 or toronto@docorg.ca.

The Quebecor Documentary Fellowship programme is presented in partnership with Quebecor Fund's Professional Development Program Grants for Under-Represented Groups (PDPT).