“This program contributes effectively to the development of the cultural industry in Africa… and directly supports those in need.” - Camille Mouyeke, 2011 Recipient
The Hot Docs-Blue Ice Group Documentary Fund is a grant program providing financial support to African documentary filmmakers for development and production. Development grants of $3000 - $10,000 and Production grants of $5000 - $40,000 are awarded to approximately four to 10 projects annually.
The $1-million Fund was created to help enable more African documentary filmmakers to tell their own stories and contribute to a new generation of the African documentary community. Applications are open to professional filmmakers who are citizens and residents of continental Africa and are also living and working in the region. In addition to financing, the initiative also offers valuable resources to support production and professional development, and offers filmmakers opportunities to access the international documentary community. Through an accompanying peer-to-peer mentorship program, grantees may team up with international production partners to bring their projects to international markets, festivals, broadcast and online audiences. Additionally, grantees will have travel, accommodation and accreditation support to attend Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival and Hot Docs-Blue Ice Group Filmmakers Lab.
To date, the Hot Docs-Blue Ice Group Documentary Fund has awarded a total of $383,000 to 23 projects.
Learn more about the Hot Docs-Blue Ice Group Documentary Fund program
2014 Applications
The application period for the 2014 round of disbursement is now open, with a final deadline of August 22, 2014, at 5:00 pm EST.
Please carefully review the application guidelines and FAQs before submitting your application.
Hot Docs-Blue Ice Group Documentary Fund Development Grant
The Hot Docs-Blue Ice Group Documentary Fund will provide successful applicants with a development grant of between $3000 and $10,000 CDN which could reflect up to 100% of the development budget. Grant money must be spent in the region on development activities and pre-production. Eligible costs include research, development of a script and story proposal and production of a teaser or trailer. Other eligible costs may include production of pitch and marketing materials, community engagement strategy research as well as distribution strategy research.
APPLY TO THE HOT DOCS-BLUE ICE GROUP DEVELOPMENT FUND
Hot Docs-Blue Ice Group Documentary Fund Production Grant
The Hot Docs-Blue Ice Group Documentary Fund will provide successful applicants with a Production Grant of between $5,000 and $40,000 CDN to maximum of 50% of the production budget. Eligible costs include those that are standard in the industry during production and post-production.
APPLY TO THE HOT DOCS-BLUE ICE GROUP PRODUCTION FUND
Carefully review the application guidelines.
Pour Directives du Fond en Français cliquez ici.
Questions? Refer to the Hot Docs-Blue Ice Group Documentary Fund FAQ.
