European Documentary Funding Workshop
19 - 21 October 2007
Here's your chance to enlist the help of top commissioners in developing and taking forward your documentary proposal - as well as learning how to navigate your way through the increasingly important maze of European funding opportunities.
But hurry, as the deadline for applications is Friday 5 October
Leena Pasanen (former commissioning editor for YLE and now director of the European Documentary Network) has been confirmed as workshop leader.
Get ahead with top European Commissioners working on your proposal!
This European Pitching and Funding Workshop (London, 19 - 21 October 2007) is the latest in a hugely successful series of workshops, which give participants an exceptional level of one-to-one access to European commissioners
Deadline for submissions: Friday 5 October 2007 5pm.
About the workshop:
Day 1 - Sourcing European Documentary Funds
Day 2 & 3 – Developing and Pitching Your Idea
The Open Session is for all who are interested in learning more about European funding for documentaries. During this day there will be a focus on understanding the editorial and creative priorities of European Broadcasters, and also looking at the main sources of finance available, including co-production, pre-sales, acquisitions and MEDIA support. Several case studies will be presented in order to illustrate the distinct nature of European funded documentaries, both in terms of their content, as well as ways in which they were financed.
Developing and Pitching Workshop is a two-day event for all those who have an idea they wish to develop into a specific proposal, treatment and pitch for European broadcasters and funding bodies. The workshop will provide training for filmmakers to develop their pitching skills to use when approaching commissioning editors and attending the various pitching forums that take place throughout Europe (e.g. Sheffield, IDFA, Thessalonki, Barcelona).
Lead tutor:
Leena Pasanen
Leena started her career as a journalist at the Finnish News Agency, first as a reporter and later on as a political commentator in the Parliament house. In 1993 she joined YLE, Finnish Broadcasting Company, where she worked as a reporter, political commentator, subeditor and tv-presentator for the current affairs magazine programme on YLE TV1. She then became the Head of Documentaries for YLE TV1. When YLE launched new digital channels, she was appointed Head of Programmes responsible for cultural, factual and fiction programmes in YLE Teema, a channel focused on culture, science and education. She subsequently became Deputy Director of the channel. She has been working as the Director of EDN, European Documentary Network since 2005. She also teaches for various training programmes including EDN, Discovery Campus, EURODOC and the Television Business School. She’s an EURODOC graduate and is a member of the board of the IDFA Forum, INPUT and the Bonnier’s Journalistic Award in Finland
To attend the Developing and Pitching Workshop you need to apply to DFG in advance with a copy of your proposal. As numbers are strictly limited here, it is advisable to apply as soon as possible.
Please submit (by email) a proposal for your documentary to dfg at training[at]dfgdocs[dot]com and call Laura or Jenny on 020 7249 6600 to make your £200 deposit* to complete your application.
We will accept proposals for documentaries on any subject matter.
Deadline for submissions: Friday 5 October 2007 5pm.
For highlights of the last workshop click here
“I expected to learn something about European industry but the wealth of knowledge that everyone shared with us was amazing. There were no boundaries, there was no secrecy, everyone wanted to develop you as a person. It was very concrete advice regarding names and contacts, people willing that we could use their names as a way in to discussing programme ideas with people.”
Lleucu Meinir, Independent Filmmaker, attendee of the DFG/EDN European Pitching and Funding Workshop, in Cardiff March 2007.
How Much:
Day 1 - Open Session
DFG Members: £125 + VAT
Non members: £140 + VAT
Developing and Pitching Workshop (includes the Open Session) with a project
DFG Members: £395 + VAT
Non members: £410 + VAT
Developing and Pitching Workshop (includes the Open Session) as an observer
DFG Members: £285 + VAT
Non members: £300 + VAT
*Your deposit is refundable in the event of your proposal not being selected.
Please read the full terms and conditions here before booking.
To join DFG as a member click here
For details of how to apply for training bursaries click here
Previous Tutors:
Leena Pasanen, Head of EDN (European Documentary Network)
Sabine Bubeck-Paaz, ZDF/ Arte Documentary, Germany
Stefano Tealdi, Director of SteFilm, Italy
This event is delivered by the Documentary Filmmakers Group (DFG) in partnership with European Documentary Network (EDN).
This event expands on previously successful European Funding Workshops in 2003 and 2005. We predict a high turn out again so early booking is recommended.
For further information and to book please contact us on 020 7249 6600
E-mail training[at]dfgdocs[dot]com
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