Other Israel Film Funding Program

Since its establishment in 2007, The Other Israel Film Festival had become a leader in the presentation and promotion of films by and about the Arab citizens of Israel. As part of its ongoing support of films and filmmakers dealing with the lives and stories of Arab citizens of Israel, The Other Israel Film Festival is proud to announce its film funding program, encouraging creative cinematic work bringing the other Israel to the big screen and to audiences throughout the world.

The funding program was established in 2009 by the Other Israel Film Festival, a program of The Israel Film Center @ The JCC in Manhattan with a gift from Mrs. Carole Zabar.

Current recipients include:

• The Time That Remains, by Elia Suliman
• Sayed Kashua: Forever Scared, by Dorit Zimbalist
• Heavy Silence, by Maysaloun Hamoud

OTHER ISRAEL GRANTS CATEGORIES
The Other Israel funding program considers projects on an ongoing basis in four categories - Development, Production, Completion, and Distribution.

Development grants provide seed funds to filmmakers whose projects are in the early research, screenplay writing, or pre-production stage. Applications should include:

1. Synopsis
2. Director's statement.
3. Initial research and any relevant material in the subject.
4. Filmmaker's bio and filmography.
5. Detailed budget required for development of the project.
6. Schedule.
7. List of other funding sources (if applicable).

Production grants provide funds to filmmakers in various stages of the production. Applications should include:

1. Technical information page, detailing cast, crew, shooting format, expected run-time, and schedule.
2. Synopsis and full screenplay.
3. Director's statement.
4. One page treatment, referring to the visual aspect of the film.
5. Filmmakers' (director and producer) bio and filmography.
6. Detailed Budget.
7. List of other funding sources (if applicable).

Completion grants provide funds to filmmakers who have completed 90% of production and in the post-production phase or ready to begin post as soon as funding is in place. Applications should include:

1. Technical information page, detailing cast, crew, shooting format, expected run-time, and schedule.
2. Synopsis and full screenplay (updated based on the footage).
3. Director's statement.
4. Filmmakers' (director and producer) bio and filmography.
5. Available footage / rough cut materials.
6. Detailed Budget required for completion of the film.
7. List of other funding sources (if applicable).

Distribution grants are awarded to support innovative distribution and audience engagement strategies. Sales agents and distributors are also illegible to apply. Applications should include:

Synopsis.

1. DVD copy of completed film.
2. Filmmakers' bio and filmography.
3. Audience outreach strategy and distribution plan.
4. Detailed budget required for marketing and distribution of the film.
5. List of other funding sources, sales agent, or distributors attached to the project.

* The festival has the right to require additional materials and information as needed for its decision.
* As a condition for the festival's investment in the projects, an agreement will be signed between the filmmaker and the festival.

Applications may be submitted year-round via email: info@otherisrael.org (mailing address for submission of DVDs will be provided upon receipt of email application).

Questions? Contact us at: info@otherisrael.org

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Common Language / Kula Safa

Other Israel Film Festival, in collaboration with the Gesher Multicultural Film Fund and the 2009 Jerusalem International Film Festival, is proud to present KULA SAFA / COMMON LANGUAGE Project, granting development and production funds for films exploring the social implications of language.

Throughout the world and across cultures, language has implications on people's daily lives. In Israel, possibly more than anywhere else, verbal and non verbal forms of expression represent distinct identity, culture, and social allegiances between its Arab and Jewish citizens. More than words promotes the production of cinematic works that explore language as representation of identity, and its expressions in the daily lives of the Arab citizens of Israel.

A selection of projects applying for the grants will be presented as part of the 2009 Jerusalem International Film Festival, on July 15, 2009. The event will be followed by a reception, where the grants recipients will be announced. All submitting filmmakers will be invited to participate in a mentoring program provided by the fund.

For additional information and to submit your project, please contact Orit Cochavi at the Gesher Multicultural Film Fund: oritc@gesher.co.il

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The Experience of Arab Citizens of Israel

Other Israel Film Festival uses film to foster social awareness and cultural understanding. As part of the festival's mission to promote awareness and provide a platform for a dialogue about the experience of Arab citizens of Israel, and encourage cinematic expression and creativity dealing with these themes, Other Israel was happy to present this summer a grant in collaboration with Gesher Multicultural Film Fund, to support quality cinema which brings to the big screen human stories, depicting the lives of Arab citizens of Israel.

From 30 projects submitted, five went on to the second stage - round-table pitching session during the 25th Jerusalem International Film Festival.

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