TORONTO – ENTERTAINMENT – Hot Docs have announced the Corus Diverse Voices Scholarship is now accepting applications. In recognition of Canada 150, the scholarship will invite four to six emerging filmmakers to participate in an intensive program during the Hot Docs Festival, April 27-May 7, where they will develop a short documentary that shares their unique perspective about what Canada means to them, our next generation of documentary storytellers.
“With the generous backing from Corus, Hot Docs is delighted that this program will support dynamic young filmmakers from across Canada cultivate their storytelling talent and production skills,” said Elizabeth Radshaw, Hot Docs Industry Program Director.
“The Corus Diverse Voices Scholarship nurtures documentary storytelling and fosters compelling narratives that are uniquely Canadian,” said Barbara Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Corus. “Canada is renowned for its outstanding documentaries and with our nation’s 150th anniversary this year, the Scholarship is a terrific way to celebrate our voice and our stories.”
Under the theme of “Our Canada”, filmmakers are invited to apply with a story of a person, place or thing in their community that exemplifies what Canada means to them. Selected filmmakers will take part in an intensive Festival-based curriculum comprised of a private development lab in conjunction with attendance at Hot Docs conference and market events. The program will focus on skills training and career advancement with a goal of completing development of a short documentary. At the end of the program developed proposals will be presented to Corus for review.
Submissions must be a story idea for a short Canadian documentary intended to be no more than 10 minutes in length. Scholarship recipients will be chosen based on the quality of the submitted film proposal, how closely the submitted proposal adheres to the theme of the “Our Canada” project, as well as the promise of the applying filmmaker.
To be eligible, applicants must be of an under-represented group: visible minority, person with a disability or a member of the aboriginal community, and must be a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident of Canada between the ages of 22 and 35. Applicants must be an emerging level filmmaker with three or fewer professional credits as director or producer, and have demonstrated commitment to their profession.
Please visit www.hotdocs.ca/i/corus-diverse-voices-program for full application and eligibility requirements.
The deadline for submissions is March 23, 2017; selected filmmakers will be notified by April 15, 2017.