Documentary Film Making for Social Activism

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The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi (PAS New Delhi) seeks proposals for a project entitled “Documentary Film Making for Social Activism.” Under this cooperative agreement, the grantee will provide instruction, mentorship and support to young (ages 20-35) documentary film makers on how to make short documentary films on issues of concern to both India and the U.S., including sustainable development, education/skills development, women’s empowerment, diversity and pluralism, freedom of expression, urbanization and smart cities. The instruction and mentorship should be executed through a combination of face-to-face seminars/workshops/intensive courses and virtual individual mentorship as well as real-time online instructional sessions (e.g. Google Chat, webinars). At the end of the program 15 short documentary films (5-15 minutes in length), all packaged for international audiences (e.g. subtitled in English as needed) should be produced. The messages will vary according to the selected themes focused on by each of the groups of young documentary film makers. Cross-cutting themes include civic activism; the role of informed discussion in an open society; giving youth a voice and medium to express their views; and the importance of investigative reporting/journalism. The products (15 short documentary films on selected issues) will be disseminated via local broadcasters, YouTube, social media, the web portal and the film festivals. The press will be invited to the film festivals during which press conferences featuring the young film makers and their mentors will be organized by the grantee, in collaboration with the US Embassy and appropriate US Consulates. The films, the project and the film makers will get further exposure through the submissions to national and international short documentary film festivals and competitions. (Please refer to the full announcement available under 'related documents' tab.)

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