Kartemquin Films Diverse Voices in Documentary

Diverse Voices in Docs is a professional development and mentorship program for documentary filmmakers of color, organized by Kartemquin Films and the Community Film Workshop of Chicago. The program hones skills as filmmakers develop projects, sharing experiences and expertise over the course of nine monthly workshops. Fellows become eligible for grant funds upon graduation. Graduates have gone on to receive funding from Sundance and ITVS, and had their work receive awards at major film festivals and be distributed on PBS, Netflix, and Hulu.

Requirements

Living and/or working on a project based in the Midwest (for the purposes of this fellowship, KTQ defines the Midwest as Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin)
Identify as Black, Indigenous, Latina/e/o/x, Middle Eastern or North African, Asian, Asian American or Pacific Islander, or other person of color
Creatives of historically/traditionally excluded communities, such as the LGBTQIA+ or disability community
Are emerging filmmakers, defined as:
With 2 or fewer feature or short film credits in a lead position (Producer, Director)
Filmmakers looking for structured support
Are not enrolled in a degree seeking program for the duration of the fellowship.

Project Eligibility Criteria:

Projects in early production of a feature or short nonfiction film project
Non-fiction project with themes of social impact/justice that complement Kartemquin’s mission
May be filmed anywhere in the Midwest
This fellowship is best suited for filmmakers in pre to early production who have done significant research, have identified and begun to build relationships with potential characters/participants, and have a strong thematic or narrative vision for their project. Filmmakers must be willing to take feedback and explore creative options.