The 3rd DIFF Film Fellows Programme will be held in Dharamshala from 1-6 November

Dharamshala International Film Festival 2016 invites submissions for the third DIFF Film Fellows Programme – a Himalayan Filmmakers’ Lab that aims to develop filmmaking talent across India’s Himalayan regions.

The residential programme features mentorship sessions, screenings of the best of contemporary independent cinema, masterclasses by visiting filmmakers and industry professionals, and panel discussions on contemporary filmmaking.

This year, the mentorship sessions will focus on ‘The journey from idea to script in documentary filmmaking’, ‘Alternative forms of expression in documentaries’, ‘Producing a fiction short’, ‘Choices in constructing a narrative’, ‘Producing a short in anticipation of making a feature’.

Eligibility 

The DIFF Film Fellows Programme is open to aspiring directors from any of the following regions: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarkhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and the hill regions of West Bengal and Assam.

We are searching for film directors who are interested in polishing their skills and increasing the impact and reach of their work. Applicants must have made a least one film — a short or feature — and be aged between 18 and 30. Please refer to the DIFF Film Fellows Rules and Regulations for more detailed information.

How to Apply  

Applicants should submit the duly completed Application Form (no application fee) with a film they have directed. A jury of three film professionals will review the applicants’ films, essays and notes on future projects, and select five DIFF fellows. Selected candidates must be able to attend all workshop sessions and participate in festival screenings and events. The Application Form is available on the website http://diff.co.in/diff-film-fellows/

Application Deadline 

Applications must be submitted by 16 August 2016. They may be sent by email to info@diff.co.in (please mention <DIFF Film Fellows 2016 – Application>, in the subject line).

Successful candidates will be notified by 19 September 2016. 

Where and When Mentorship sessions: 1–3 November 2016. Festival screenings and events: 3–6 November 2016.

Venue House of Peace and Dialogue, Upper TCV, Dharamshala.

Fellowship Inclusions The programme will cover train fares (two-tier AC) and food and lodging for the duration of the workshops and festival (1–6 November 2016).

QUOTES by Film Fellows who attended DIFF Film Fellows Programme, 2015

“This platform not only encourages us to embrace cinema but also  gives us the confidence to pursue our careers in filmmaking.”  — Tribeny Rai, DIFF Film Fellow 2015

“We had long sessions with the mentors on observing and understanding time and space in life, and how to recreate it in cinema. The mentors constantly pushed us to redefine cinema for ourselves. These were two great days full of exercises and reflection, with a whole lot of support. The festival in itself was an opportunity to watch great cinema.”  — Srishti Lakhera, DIFF Film Fellow 2015

“A mind-blowing selection of films was screened at the Dharamshala International Film Festival. What impressed me most were the interactive sessions and Q&As with distinguished filmmakers. I was honoured to be a part of a live dialogue with such personalities.”  — Majid Imtiyaz, DIFF Film Fellow 2015

To know more about the DIFF Film Fellowship Program, please visit http://diff.co.in/diff-film-fellows/