The Indie Memphis Black Filmmaker Residency for Screenwriting is supported by the Remembering George Riley at MLK50 campaign. The program is a two-month residency in Memphis, TN for an emerging or established black filmmaker to work on a feature film screenplay to be produced in Memphis. Located in the heart of Memphis, TN, the program will provide one screenwriter with $7,500 of unrestricted cash, plus housing and round-trip travel accommodations and, most importantly, uninterrupted time for writing their feature film screenplay.
The purpose of this residency is to provide opportunity for under-represented artists in filmmaking to develop bold storytelling to ultimately be filmed in the Memphis-area. The residency is looking to support one narrative feature film project and priority will be given to the story deemed most original, daring, intelligent, emotionally resonant, and realistic to produce.
Applicants must describe why they believe their film should be produced in Memphis, TN. The setting of the story may or may not be Memphis and the residency will offer an opportunity for initial location scouting and inspiration from the geography and environment.
The residency is provided during the two month timeframe of September 17th to November 16th 2018. No exceptions will be made to the timeline. The residency will include artist participation in events during the Indie Memphis Film Festival the first week of November.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm CST on April 4th, 2018.
WHAT IS PROVIDED?
Housing in Midtown Memphis at a residence located near the Indie Memphis office
$7,500 of unrestricted cash to assist for time off work, food, or directly towards the project
Travel accommodations to and from Memphis, TN.
Periodically meeting with advisors and filmmakers experienced with shooting in Memphis.
Visits to cultural institutions such as Stax Museum and the National Civil Rights Museum.
Location and production advice from the Memphis & Shelby County Film/TV Commission.
RULES & ELIGIBILITY:
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
Applications are open to any filmmaker screenwriter that is a United States citizen of African descent.
Applicant may be either an emerging or established screenwriter. The applicant must show how this residency will be unique and beneficial to the development of their project and career.
Must be a resident from outside the Greater Memphis Metro area; an objective of this program is to bring new film productions to Memphis.
Resident is expected to focus on writing their feature film screenplay and developing their project during the two month period.
Must submit a treatment of the story in development (20 pages maximum).
If selected, screenwriter must provide their own computer and script writing software.
Filmmaker must agree to stipulation that the majority of the script will be filmed in the Greater Memphis area, if produced.
Only one submission per applicant will be accepted.
Only one filmmaker will be accepted into the residency, but projects with multiple writers are eligible.
Adaptations are eligible, but the applicant must show legal permission of the right to adapt.
HOW TO APPLY:
Fill out form HERE
Must submit a full treatment of the script to [email protected] with the subject line of your name and project title.
Treatment MUST be submitted as a PDF, no more than 20 pages.
