2016 Lab Leaders include VR Filmmaker and United Nations Senior Advisor Gabo Arora, Borderline Media’s Jennifer MacArthur and “The Outs” Producer Amanda Warman
The Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP) announced today the projects selected for the second annual Screen Forward Lab, IFP’s yearlong fellowship for content creators with story-driven serialized projects. The program kicks off today, running April 18-22 at the Made in NY Media Center by IFP located in DUMBO, Brooklyn.
Inspired by the successful long-running IFP Filmmaker Labs that focus on helping directors complete, market and introduce audiences to cutting edge first-features, the Screen Forward Lab will support innovative content creators with $10,000 worth of services and support over the course of a year. The Lab is open to innovative media creators with story-driven, serialized projects created on all platforms and formats including web series, VR, or app based work (Instagram, Vine, Snapchat, etc.). All projects must have at minimum representative sample visual content (a completed episode, demo, excerpt) already in place, and cannot have already launched their project publicly.
“We are excited to present the second edition of the IFP Lab for web based creative content. “ says Joana Vicente, Executive Director at IFP and the Made in New York Media Center by IFP.“There’s a meshing of the worlds of film, digital and tech that’s been occurring for a long time. IFP remains a place for independent film, but it’s evolving to becoming a place where digital and tech, old school and new school, web series and indie film all coalesce.”
Under the leadership of Amy Dotson, Head of Programming, and Holly Kang, IFP Screen Forward Labs Producer, the Labs will provide participants with the knowledge, resources and mentor support necessary for developing strong pitches, securing financing, creating marketing strategies and finding unique avenues for the distribution of their work. Individualized attention for each project will also be paid to building sustainable audiences, as well as long-term strategy for career sustainability.
This year, 80% of the creators/writers/directors are women and/or diverse voices. 30% feature predominantly African-American and Latino casts.
The Screen Forward Lab week will culminate with all projects presenting and pitching to investors, online distributors, network executives and tech companies at IFP Film Week 2016. And post-Labs, all content creator teams will receive a free, six-month residency at the Made in NY Media Center by IFP as well as ongoing individualized access to classes, workshops and support from industry and creative mentors.
More info at www.ifp.org.