This year we are looking for three (3) Canadian documentary film projects that seek to either support reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples or address Islamophobia in Canada. Projects will aim to raise awareness about pressing issues, build understanding of underrepresented perspectives, and catalyze action to build inclusion across ethnic, racial, or religious difference. Selected projects will be awarded $25,000.

The program is open to independent filmmakers and producers who have a recently completed film (short, feature or virtual reality/interactive), and aim to leverage their film to achieve a social change goal relating to reconciliation or Islamophobia.

Applicants should have a clear sense of how they will work towards the goal through campaign activities that may include research, community outreach, education, distribution, and audience engagement.

We especially encourage applications from teams with Muslim or Indigenous leadership with the appropriate lived and professional experience.

Inspirit will be awarding $25,000 to three (3) projects in Fall 2017. Please read guidelines below before applying.

Please apply here.

KEY DATES:

Applications open: October 2, 2017

Applications deadline: October 30, 2017

Selections announced: Early December 2017

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

Canadian documentary film projects with related impact campaigns that seek to further reconciliation or combat Islamophobia in Canada. This includes:

• Final or fine cut short (~12+ min), feature (~45+ min), or virtual reality / interactive documentary films produced 2015 or later;
• A related social impact campaign strategy that includes:
  • Clear ideas and realistic goals about potential areas of social impact;
  • A potential distribution plan, which may include theatrical or non-theatrical distribution and community or educational screenings;
  • An outreach and key audience engagement strategy that accounts for needed partnership development; or, if a strategy has not been developed, a clear description of your plan to develop a campaign;
• A sense of how you intend to evaluate and communicate your project’s impact;
• A feasible budget with respect to intended activities and goals;
• A project schedule, with start and end dates. Please note, funds must be spent within 18 months of the project start date.

ELIGIBILITY:

Funding is available for:

• Registered Canadian non-profits, charitable organizations, or professional independent Canadian filmmaking or production companies;
• Project activities that take place in Canada;
• Eligible expenses include:
  • Personnel costs;
  • Strategy and planning development, including consultants;
  • Curriculum and educational tools, research, and development;
  • Evaluation costs;
  • Campaign associated travel;
  • Social media engagement, including website development;
  • Workshop / screening costs;
  • Non-theatrical distribution costs.

WHAT WE DON’T FUND:

• Production or post-production costs of films;
• Films that are in rough cut form;
• Broadcasters and broadcaster-affiliated production companies;
• Ongoing TV series;
• Distribution expenses that are not clearly tied to an impact campaign;
• Activities that take place outside of Canada;
• Companies or organizations based outside of Canada

Leveraging documentary film for social change is a growing field. Here are some resources that have inspired us:

Planning and Strategy Resources

• Doc Society’s (formerly BritDoc): Impact Field Guide
• Fledgling Fund
• Fledgling Fund Impact Workbook
• What is Film Impact?
• Active Voice Lab
• How do we know?
• Horticulture Tools
• Prenups for Partners
• Dot Connector Studio media Engagement Strategy Deck

Case Studies

• Doc Society’s Case Studies (UK & USA)
• Fledgling Fund – Private Violence
• Gasland (Harmony Institute)