Program overview
The five-month program focuses on individual short documentary project development, offering tailored mentorship, lectures, masterclasses, and talks.
- 1st phase : Online: The initial stage of the program consists of one week online sessions. During this week, participants are inititated into the medium of cinema as an art form . Sessions on documentary landscape of the world prepare them for better understanding of creative non-fiction.
- 2nd phase : In-Person: The second stage of the program includes an intensive 15-day residency. During the first week, participants delve into the fundamentals of documentary filmmaking, both in theory and practice. The second week focuses on individual project development, writing, and pitching. In addition to the three assigned mentors, two guest mentors guide this phase.
- 3rd phase : Online: Following the two weeks of residency, participants return to their hometowns or production locations to commence project development. They dedicate 2 months for key production of their individual films, during which they receive individual and group online mentorship. This online phase features important masterclasses and guest lectures conducted by acclaimed filmmakers and educators. Furthermore, we host film screenings and talks by filmmakers who have made significant contributions to the documentary circuit with their exceptional films.
- 4th phase : In-Person: The fourth phase of the program is a 6 day residency, during which all participants and assigned mentors collectively view and analyze the work-in-progress cut. Following this intensive mentoring session, participants return to their respective production fields for a two-month period to continue work towards completion of their films.
- 5th phase : Online: In the fifth phase, participants continue to receive both individual and group mentorship. This phase focuses on the post-production of the films. This online phase also includes masterclasses and guest lectures led by internationally acclaimed filmmakers, festival curators, producers, and educators.
- 6th phase : In-Person: The final phase of the program, spanning 7 days, is solely focused on providing guidance to participants in creating a final output. Screening of the 15 films takes place on the last day of the program.
Course highlights
- To each their own cinema
- Introduction to documentary history and forms
- Global documentary landscape – Focus on India & South Asia
- Writing for Documentary
- Introduction to Documentary skills (cinematography & sound)
- Point of View and Cinematic Expression
- Storytelling Techniques
- Mise-en-scene
- Editing and Narrative structure
- Politics of Image
- Pitching and Presentation
- Producing and funding-National and International
- Festival Strategy for Creative Documentaries
- Creative Documentaries-The Way Ahead
What to expect
- Exploration: Participants experiment with various methods of non-fiction practice. They are encouraged to discover their own voice in storytelling, in relation to their personal, social, and political contexts.
- Mentorship: Participants receive tailored mentorship and guidance at each stage of the course, as well as during the production of the short documentary.
- Safe Space: A safe space for participants and faculty to engage in critical discussions and conversations, free from hierarchical rigidity.
- Production support: A limited amount of production and post-production support is available, which includes providing limited number of cameras and sound equipment etc.
- Certificate: Participants recieve a completion certificate at the end of the program.
- Screening and distribution: Further guidance and consultations will be provided to help participants create a festival and distribution strategy for their films.
- Way ahead: Throughout the program, participants gain insights and knowledge into navigating the global documentary landscape.
Frequently asked questions
English.
TBA
Please check curriculum page for precise dates of each residency and online phases.
- Application fee: 100 INR ( For Indian citizens residing in India)
- Contribution to Program: -TBA ( Indian citizens residing in India)
- The contribution includes faculty and mentor remunerations for the entire 5-month duration. It also covers the participant’s accommodation for 31 nights, and all on-site and off-site costs of running the residencies and online phases. These costs include administrative cost, technical rentals, internet, and other necessary materials.
Factors impacting selections for scholarship include social and economic background. Applicants ( Indian citizen residing in India) from SC, ST, and OBC (NCL) categories are specially encouraged to apply for the scholarship. Applications from other categories might be considered for scholarship on special situiations.
The contribution covers faculty and mentor remuneration for the entire 5-month duration. It also covers the participant’s accommodation (double occupancy room) for 31 nights, and all on-site and off-site costs of running the residencies and online phases. These costs include technical rentals, internet, and other necessary materials.
Candidates are evaluated based on their application and shortlisted candidates are called for an online interview.
Factors impacting selections include the candidate´s short documentary film idea, The 3 minute application film, previous work, and their personal motivation.
The application film is maximum 3 minute long short documentary film, made specifically for application to idea to screen program. The topic is – ´The time I live in.´ The application film reflects how a filmmaker is documenting, reinterpreting or reinventing the time they are living in. Please feel free to experiment with form and equipment.
It can be a film of any genre and length, be it fiction or documentary or other audio-visual work.
Yes, please specify your technical skills and role and participation in any previous film project.
Any Indian citizen over twenty-one years old residing in India can apply, regardless of their educational background. However, experience in filmmaking is preferred.
Applicants should apply with a basic documentary idea or concept that they want to work on during the program. Project ideas can be submitted at various stages of production, including development and early production.
Any languages.
The program shares co-producer credit along with the core producer, who could be the director or an involved producer. However, all revenue, distribution rights, and profits remain with the main director-producer. Docustan doesn’t claim anything except credit as one of the producers.