Frequently asked questions

Nov 10 to April 17, 2024-25-

Please check curriculum page for precise dates of each residency and online phases.

Buddha Pāda, Kalimpong, West Bengal, India

    • Application fee: 100 INR ( For Indian citizens residing in India)
    • Contribution to Program: -90,000 INR ( 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.

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.

Guidance on festival strategy, distribution, and information on global avenues related to creative documentary film.
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