FY 2016 MediaMakers Studio

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The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the FY 2016 MediaMakers Studio, pending the availability of FY 2016 funds. MediaMakers Studio expands on the American Film Showcase program model and other well established and successful ECA film programs. U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to conduct an innovative professional development program with leading U.S. entertainment and media mentors that will enhance the creative impact of filmmaking professionals from participating countries. This program, like other ECA film program models, seeks to elevate influential voices that are building resilient civil societies by using film, television and new media to address critical local issues including, but not limited to, human rights, pluralism, women's empowerment, and tolerance. The MediaMakers Studio will connect approximately 12-18 talented film and video professionals from approximately four to six countries with mentors in the U.S. entertainment industry, who will help facilitate behind-the-scenes access, bolster participants' technical skills and creative content development, and build the foundations for lasting professional networks. This program will focus on film projects in development and match participant areas of interest with mentor expertise. Fellows will travel to Los Angeles, California to work on projects with a team of American mentors and receive state-of-the-art-training and industry access to support conceptual development of independent, authentic and compelling content for distribution in their home countries. Following this intensive, hands-on exchange, Mentors will travel to a select number of the Fellows' countries, when possible, for continued creative consultation and engagement. Both Mentors and Fellows will mutually benefit from the extended creative and professional development, which will promote dialogue and understanding and lead to greater creative and entrepreneurial connections.

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