Access Programs & Artist Opportunities at Northwest Film Forum

Check our new grant, PROGRESS IN WORKS by clicking here. PinWorks gives you access to use our cinema for you to present a screening of your work in order to help develop a project still in progress. This program is supported by 4Culture.

Northwest Film Forum offers its resources free of charge through a variety of programs to assist local filmmakers in the creation of their artistic productions. There are two categories of artist support: equipment access and production resources.

Programs are project-based; a project proposal and work sample are required for consideration.

Criteria for acceptance into a Northwest Film Forum artist access program are artistic merit, originality, and compatibility with Northwest Film Forum's mission. Northwest Film Forum also considers the artist's ability to see the project to completion and the project's contribution to the local film community. Selection is largely based on the strength of the artist's submitted work sample. Projects that receive support will remain active for one year from the time of acceptance. If the project continues beyond one year, filmmakers may reapply for subsequent years of activity.

Application guidelines can be picked up at the office or requested by email.

EQUIPMENT ACCESS

QUARTERLY DEADLINE

Winter deadline is January 15, 2006.
Spring deadline is April 15, 2006

Equipment access programs are competitive. Only one of each of the following four programs is awarded per quarter.

New Model Edit

Non-linear post-production facilities access
Underwrites free use of Northwest Film Forum's non-linear editing suite for up to 40 hours. Editing system is a Mac G4 with Final Cut Pro and a DVCAM deck.

Roll Camera (one for 16mm and one for Digital Video)

Production package access
Underwrites free use of Northwest Film Forum's Panasonic digital camera or 16mm camera. Packages include camera, sound and lighting gear. Applicants for the DVX camera are offered up to 6 days of free use (weekends count as 3 days) and applicants for the film camera are offered up to 15 days of free use.

Out of the Can

16mm post-production facilities access
Underwrites unlimited, free access to Northwest Film Forum's traditional 16mm editing suite for up to 40 hours. Available facilities include flatbed editors, workbench with film rewinds, optical printer and film-to-video transfer.

PRODUCTION RESOURCES

ROLLING DEADLINE

Three week turn-around from submission to notification.

Fiscal Sponsorship

Non-profit sponsorship
Extends Northwest Film Forum's non-profit umbrella to your production. With sponsorship, many grants that fund only non-profits become available to your project, and individual contributions to your production become tax-deductible. (This program does NOT provide financing)

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for consideration, the production, as represented by the Project Director or the Project Producer (and Chief Editor for post-production grants) must:

1. Maintain active WigglyWorld level membership.
2. Demonstrate a clear commitment to the production, which must be non-commercial in nature and must contribute artistically to the local film community.
3. Present a detailed proposal, following proposal guidelines.
4. Present an artistic work sample that best represents the proposed production.
5 Be a Washington State resident.

APPLYING FOR A GRANT

Proposals must include six distinct pages, presented in the order listed below. Proposals must include a work sample.

MANDATORY ATTACHMENTS

Page 1. Cover Letter. Include all contact information, identify the production and principal personnel. State why the project should be considered for the grant program.

Page 2. Synopsis. Summarize the project, including relevant information on the content and form of the project.

Page 3. Project Description. Describe the technical production of the project, identify key production personnel and any hurdles to production. Describe the format in which the project will be produced and post-produced.

Page 4. Project Budget. Include the top sheet of your budget, itemized by area of expense. Include in-kind and deferred expenses and list sources of income. A complete budget must be available upon request.

Page 5. Biographies. Provide short biographical information about the key personnel in the project.

Page 6. Artistic Work Sample. Include a work sample description, with an explanation of the applicant's role in the production.

* Work samples may be a tape, video, script, photograph, painting, drawing, trailer or any material that best represents the production. Work samples that represent the director or cinematographer's ability are recommended.

RECOMMENDED ATTACHMENTS

Page 7. Project Timeline. Include a start-to-finish timeline covering all phases of the project.

Page 8. Fundraising Plan. Include fundraising strategies. Identify actual or potential donations and grants by foundation, company or individual.

Page 9+. Optional Attachments. Attach reviews, letters of support, etc.