Thursday, February 22
Documentary Masterclass With André Singer
Location: The Avalon Theater, Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase
Times: Thursday, February 22nd – 5:20pm – 6:30PM
In this masterclass André will discuss how anthropology led him into documentary filmmaking beginning with his time at Granada Television’s landmark series Disappearing World, where he started as a researcher. André has worked his way up from producer and director, to running the BBC Documentary Department’s Independent Unit and setting up Fine Cut – which later became the internationally acclaimed Storyville. André Singer’s significant contributions to the documentary film industry was acknowledged with the appointment as Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) Few filmmakers in the world of documentaries have been as influential as Emmy-winning André Singer. He has directed landmark films, produced works by major authors like Werner Herzog, commissioned and exec-ed projects by legends such as D.A. Pennebaker and Frederick Wiseman, and overseen the production of hundreds of documentaries for both cinema and television.
We will learn how as a director and executive producer, he approaches sensitive and historically important subjects in feature documentaries such as the Peabody and Emmy-winning Night Will Fall, to the surreal and astonishing Joshua Oppenheimer diptych The Act of Killing (Oscar-nomination & BAFTA winner) and The Look of Silence (Oscar-nomination) to the intriguing portrait of the last leader of the Soviet Union in Meeting Gorbachev, which André co-directed with Werner Herzog. André will provide insight in working with world renowned filmmakers such as Jean Rouch, Mike Grigsby, DA Pennebaker, Robert Drew, and Fred Wiseman among others. Of particular significance is André’s remarkable 31-year collaboration with Werner Herzog, encompassing an impressive repertoire of 17 productions.
Saturday, February 24
Working Creatively with Investors and Tax Credits
Location: Regal Gallery Place Theater
Times: Saturday, February 24th – 12:00pm – 1:15pm
This is an opportunity to get invaluable information from an industry professional who understands the playing field out there today, knows what it takes to make a movie and is experienced in how to prepare for, solict and access funding. The seminar will explain how independent films get funded upfront through investment and tax credits and will incude questions from participants. Followed by a Happy Hour reception
Presented by Carol Bidault de L’Isle, an award winning producer, specialized in international motion picture/television financing, distribution, media asset acquisitions and management (MediaFusion Entertainment, LLC). She brings with her over 30 years of industry experience in the United States, Europe and Latin America. She recently produced Cut Off (Brad Dourif, William Baldwin, Jean-Marc Barr) and Daliland (Ben Kingsley, Barbara Sukowa, Ezra Miller). She is also the founder of the DC Independent Film Festival.
Ms. Bidault is active with Women’s organizations, including a founding member of Women In Film & Television United States & Women in Film International, served on the WIFTI board (2014 – 2018) as Vice Chair, Membership Chair & WIFTI Short-Case Producer; a co-founding member of Women in Film & Television – Louisiana has served on the Board since 2011 & President (2016 – 2018); Co-Founder of Women in Film (France), Judge on the Women in Film Finishing Fund (2014, 2015, 2016) and a member of Women in Film & Video – Washington, DC (1995 to 2008).
Understanding the Grants Landscape For Documentaries
Location: Regal Gallery Place Theater
Times: Saturday, February 24th – 1:30pm – 3:15pm
How the grant-making world is currently working and ways in which you can think about your film that expands its grant opportunities.
There are thousands of grants out there and there are many more people applying for them. What should you apply for and how do you know if you have a chance? Find out how the grant-making world is currently working for the arts, funder priorities and the ways in which you can think about your film that expands grant opportunities. This will be a presentation followed by a case study and a discussion with participants about their needs.
Deirdre Evans-Pritchard is a professional grant writer working specializing in social justice, social services, environmental, arts and humanities fundraising who has raised over $ 1.5 million in the last two years. She has a PhD from UCLA, publishes on cultural heritage and researches the screen. She is also the Executive Director of the DC Independent FIlm Festival.
