THE FILMMAKER SOLIDARITY FUND
During this time of unprecedented uncertainty and change, we are committed to examining how power and resources are distributed in the documentary film world and how festivals like CIFF can stand in solidarity with filmmakers to create more equitable, sustainable conditions for independent filmmaking — particularly for filmmakers that have been marginalized or excluded by the industry.
Early in 2020, we announced our commitment to support filmmakers during through the establishment of the Filmmaker Solidarity Fund. This meant we committed to provide 50% of net proceeds from our CIFF Virtual pass and ticket sales to filmmakers — via a funding pool that was divided evenly into honoraria for every participating director in the CIFF program. In 2020, we raised nearly $25,000 to support 64 directors of features and short films that screened at the 2020 CIFF.
For CIFF 2022, we will maintain our commitment to filmmaker support via a funding pool comprised of 50% of net proceeds from our 2022 virtual festival box office. We look forward to directing even more resources to filmmakers, and building a more equitable and sustainable documentary field for years to come.
THE CAMDEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Founded in 2005 and recognized as one of the top documentary film festivals in the world, the Camden International Film Festival (CIFF) brings the finest non-fiction cinema to the rugged coast of Maine, showcasing over 80 documentary feature and short films from around the globe each fall.
CIFF is an experience just as unique as the films we exhibit. The Festival Weekend is packed with a hearty roaster of filmmaker Q&As, interactive installations, networking sessions, and other special events that enrich participant experiences. At CIFF, the emphasis is on building relationships between fellow filmmakers and industry. Each year our audiences grow, and our commitment to our mission stays the same: We love a good story, and we love to share them with our audiences.
CIFF is also the home to our artists programs, including the Pitch, the Points North Forums, and 1-on-1 meetings between industry professionals and up-and-coming non-fiction storytellers. We provide emerging documentarians with opportunities for professional development and creative inspiration.
The Camden International Film Festival and Points North Documentary Forum takes place in Camden, Rockport and Rockland, Maine, and online.
If you have a documentary feature or short in development, consider applying for one of the Points North Artists Programs: https://pointsnorthinstitute.org/artist-programs/
To receive updates on submissions timelines and applications, sign up for our email list at pointsnorthinstitute.org/newsletter