INFORMATION SESSION
HOW TO APPLY
We invite diversity in stories and applicants for this grant. Please feel free to type out your answers in the language of your choice. You may then use Google Translate (or any other service) to translate your answers into English before submitting. Applicants will not be judged on the basis of language proficiency.
- One needs to be a member of the Bitchitra Collective. Please fill the form here: https://tinyurl.com/5e4nj9un
- Proposal submission form: https://tinyurl.com/3tk66fk6
DEADLINE
- Submission opens: November 1, 2023
- Deadline: December 30, 2023
For any inquiry, please write to us at: info@bitchitracollective.org
ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP
Bitchitra Collective, a group of women/ non-binary filmmakers is proud to announce its 2nd edition of the Bitchitra Collective Documentary Film and Media Fellowship. We invite emerging, mid-career and established, women/ non-binary filmmakers to submit proposals for feature length docs (over 45 mins) and short docs (under 45 mins). Please read about previous year’s grantees here.
ABOUT THE SRIYANKA RAY GRANT
This year we’re honoured to announce the Sriyanka Ray Grant in partnership with Brown Girls Doc Mafia (BGDM). The Sriyanka Ray Grant is in memory of documentary filmmaker Sriyanka Ray who passed away in 2023. A founding member of Bitchitra Collective (Indian Women and Non Binary Filmmakers in Documentary), a member of BGDM and a beloved community-based artist of many diverse groups in New York and Kolkata, Sriyanka’s loss is grieved by many. She was passionate about telling social justice stories of her local community, whether in her adopted land or homeland, alongside her commitment to support artists on the margins. An ardent traveller, she also lived every moment to the fullest. In her own words “She is interested in stories of justice, resistance and joy. Combining the ethics of journalism with visual storytelling, she tries to amplify the voices of characters who are often stereotyped, misrepresented and ‘othered’ by society. Her work is rooted in seeking solutions to social and civic issues that face our communities today.
The Sriyanka Ray grant will be given to a filmmaker within Bitchitra Collective whose work and values invoke the same qualities that Sriyanka embodied. It’s partly resourced by funding Sriyanka Ray helped raise along with other members of Bitchitra Collective. We’re honoured to collaborate with BGDM to double the total and bring the grant to a sizable $4,000 to one grantee in 2024.
The new grant is partly based on funding Sriyanka Ray helped raise along with other members of Bitchitra Collective. We’re honoured to collaborate with BGDM to double Bitchitra Collective’s input and bring a sizable grant of $4000 to one grantee in 2024.
OUR MISSION
These programs are a unique opportunity for filmmakers to bring the untold stories from their region to the forefront. With this Fellowship and grant we aim to, through time, amplify voices of those identifying as women or non-binary filmmakers and support them in their filmmaking journey. We welcome and encourage members of our collective to apply.
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE BITCHITRA COLLECTIVE
To become a member of the collective, please fill out THIS FORM.
THE FELLOWSHIP OFFERS:
- Grant of $2000 to a feature(over 45 mins) and short docs (under 45 mins).
- A Mentor with industry experience relevant to your project, who will work with you for a set number of sessions spread out through the course of a year.
- Connect to industry experts through professional development workshops and collaboration opportunities.
THE SRIYANKA RAY GRANT OFFERS:
- Grant of $4000 to a feature(over 45 mins) or short docs (under 45 mins).
- Connect to industry experts through professional development workshops and collaboration opportunities.
ELIGIBILITY
- Our jurors will decide which films will receive the Fellowship support and which receives the Sriyanka Ray Grant.
- The applicant must be a member of Bitchitra Collective.
- You need to be the director of the project – emerging, mid-career or established directors are welcome.
- You should be the owner of the copyright of the project, maintaining editorial control of the story.
- Project must be a feature or short length project in any stage.
- Access must be secured with a clear vision for the project articulated.
- India grantees must have a bank account where funds can be wired from the US.
- US grantees can opt to receive a check. Additionally, a US based grantee must be a resident or citizen of the US.
- Funds can only be spent on project related expenses.
WHAT/WHO WE DO NOT FUND
- Student projects.
- Commercial or promotional films.
- Applicant who is not a member of the Bitchitra Collective.
- Institutions or organisations.
- Applicant who is not the director of the project.