A scene from the Miami-shot "Moonlight," which won an Oscar for Best Picture.
So you always wanted to be a filmmaker, but you have a million ideas, but don't know the first place to start.
Well, take a look at Miami's own Borscht film folks; they might be able to help. Borscht is currently accepting proposals for commissioned short films and other projects to be featured at the next Borscht Film Festival.
Julian Yuri Rodriguez's short film Lake Mahar premiered at the Borscht Film Festival in 2015.
Previously commissioned projects have gone on to screen at Sundance (17 projects), SXSW (13 projects, 2 of which won jury awards), Cannes Critics Week, and hundreds of other festivals while being viewed millions of times online (15 have been named Vimeo staff picks). One of these projects even laid the groundwork for the local collaboration that would eventually become "Moonlight," the Academy Award Winner for Best Picture in 2017.
While the application is free and easy and does not require any filmmaking experience (many of Borsch's most successful projects were created by first-timers), it is a highly competitive process.
Please take a moment to check out previous work on our website and consider if your project is good fit.
This is not the application for completed projects. Submissions for completed projects will open in Winter 2018/2019.
Finalists will be notified no later than July with a request for project updates and additional materials.
Anyone may apply for support. It's free and easy.
Borscht gathering at the Arsht.
- Borscht mostly helps make short films, but you can also apply for help with VR, episodic series, transmedia, installations, events, performances, and other forms of visual or digital storytelling.
- Projects must be by artists from, residing in, or engaging with the identity or idea of Miami in some capacity.
- Applicants do not necessarily need to be living in or from South Florida, but preference will be given to those based locally.
- You don't need to have any experience making films, but it helps if you've made or organized something before.
- You don't need to have a finished script in order to apply, sometimes an idea is enough.
- Past recipients are encouraged to apply again.
All applications will be reviewed by a "moderately qualified panel," says Borscht.
Here are some things that get Borscht says gets them excited:
- A project only you can make.
- A project no one else would be likely to fund or support.
- A unique experience, point of view, or story you want to share. We don't care if you've never made a movie. If you have a story to tell, you should apply.
- You've made/organized things happen before (not necessarily film/art related).
- You are a generally nice person and like to collaborate.
Borscht is supported by the Knight Foundation, Time Warner OneFifty, Art Center South Florida, The Miami Foundation, and Cinereach.
Selected proposals are eligible for full production support, cash, and/or other considerations.
Deadline is June 1.
Here's how to apply: www.docs.google.com/forms
Info at:
www.borsc.ht/
