GOTHAM MEMBER MENTORSHIP IS BACK!

The Gotham has recently relaunched our Member Mentorship Program. Gain the opportunity to connect with professionals across the industry to get advice on anything from development to distribution and everything in between. As part of the program, you also have the chance to meet with potential collaborators through these small group mentorship meetings. Mentors include professionals from FilmNation, Untitled Entertainment, Film Movement, and more.
 
Want to learn more about Gotham's mentorship program? Sign-up for our Info Session on 4/20 to learn more about the program and meet a few of the mentors. RSVP here.

Interested in joining our community to gain access to this membership benefit? Get 20% off Membership by using code MENTORMEM today.

Open Position Available at The Gotham!

The Gotham is hiring! Open position for an Audio Program Manager. For more information and to apply go to thegotham.org/about/careers

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday, April 15th at 7 PM EST 

The Gotham Presents: The Future of Distribution – Reinventing The Industry

Join us for a conversation with distribution decision makers as they discuss the current state and future of distribution.

How has a year and a half of social distancing changed how independent films are distributed? On April 15th we’ll be hosting our second panel on the Future of Distribution, an opportunity for attendees to hear from distribution decision makers on how they’ve spent the past year successfully transitioning with the times and how you can utilize these new virtual opportunities as filmmakers. Join us for a conversation with content distributors at the forefront of this new wave of distribution – from online streamers to virtual cinemas, and distribution companies, you’ll get an in-depth look at what the future holds for film distribution.

Please join this event via the ZOOM link in your confirmation email.

Monday, April 19th at 5 PM EST 

The Gotham’s Owning It Program Info Session

Interested in learning more about The Gotham’s Owning It program? Join us for an info session to hear from The Gotham’s Deputy Director Kia Brooks speak about the program’s goals and how you can gain resources, grow your skillset and build your network. Also, there will be time to network with fellow attendees. Hope to “see” you there!

Owning It, a program of The Gotham Film & Media Institute (formerly IFP), is dedicated to supporting, connecting, and empowering women and non-binary creators and entrepreneurs who break down boundaries in the media and entertainment industry.

The program consists of monthly fireside chats, an annual summit, a mentorship initiative with WE NYC, workshops and more. Past guests include Riva Marker (Nine Stories Productions) Lydia Dean Pilcher (Cutie and the Boxer), Veena Sud (The Stranger), and Gayle Jennings-O’Byrne (WOC Star Fund).

Owning It provides an inclusive environment that expands and expresses a liberated movement for women and non-binary individuals as well as those that are our champions, advocates and allies.

Wednesday, April 21st at 5 PM EST 

Owning It Virtual Fireside Chat with Kamala Avila-Salmon: A Holistic Approach to Inclusivity: In Your Work, On Your Team, Through Your Audience

Inclusivity is paramount to a successful film, TV, or audio project. But what does the word “inclusivity” really mean and how do you ensure you’re creating inclusive work, implementing equitable policies on your team, and engaging with all audiences through unbiased marketing and PR strategies?

Join us for our next Owning It Virtual Fireside Chat on Wednesday, April 21st with the Head of Inclusive Content at Lionsgate and host of the podcast, “From Woke to Work”, Kamala Avila-Salmon. Kamala will discuss her role at Lionsgate, her own path to finding her voice on race, and how creators can be inclusive and take a holistic approach to their content, teams, and PR/Marketing. You’ll walk away with a clear perspective of how to make inclusion actionable in all the parts of your project and/or business

Tuesday, April 27th at 6 PM EST 

NYWIFT Virtual Hangout with The Gotham

Come ready to share creative ideas, suggestions, and contact info for further engagement. 

We will begin the evening with a brief salon conversation with The Gotham Deputy Director Kia Brooks to discuss the organization’s latest opportunities and initiatives, followed by an hour of speed networking. The hour will be broken up into smaller chunks of time, during which you will be randomly paired off with other attendees to network one-on-one. 

NYWIFT will also offer a discount on membership to any new members who attend that evening. 

NYWIFT hangouts are a safe space to ask entertainment related questions, seek advice, employment and other industry opportunities. Prep your elevator pitch and get ready to make connections!

Membership supports a community of storytellers by providing year round opportunities to gain industry knowledge, find collaborators, connect with industry leaders, and get your projects discovered. Learn more here about our membership offerings and reach out to our membership team with questions. 

ALUMNI ON SCREEN

My Fugitive 
 
My Fugitive is an alumnus of the 2017 Gotham Week Project Market 
 
Nina Gilden Seavey was twelve on May 4, 1970, the day an Air Force building in St. Louis burned to the ground. Her dad represented a young man arrested in connection with the fire: Howard Mechanic. Facing serious federal time, Howard fled and became one of the longest running fugitives in U.S. history. As an adult, Nina picked up the trail. What ever happened to Howard Mechanic? 
 
This eight-part series is the tangled story of her search for answers. Hundreds of Freedom of Information requests. Hundreds of thousands of pages of documents. FBI surveillance and confidential informants. Russian moles, conspiracy theories, and the murder of a civil rights icon. And the sacrifices America makes in the name of national security. 
 
An Original Production of Pineapple Street Studios and Audacy 
 
Host: Nina Gilden Seavey 
Producers: Kat Aaron, Agerenesh Ashagre, Justine Daum, Janelle Anderson, and Maria Robins-Somerville. 
 
Listen on Apple Podcasts. New episodes every Tuesday

THE GOTHAM RECOMMENDS

New Directors/New Films at 50 

In 1972, Film at Lincoln Center (formerly Film Society of Lincoln Center) and The Museum of Modern Art’s Department of Film presented the inaugural New Directors/New Films festival: a modest but eclectic program of 11 films born from a simple desire to share the best new international films from emerging directors with New York moviegoers. In advance of this year’s ND/NF a small selection of favorites from the first 30 years of the festival are being screened virtually, including two Gotham Week  Project Market alumni projects from the 1980s: Charles Burnett’s My Brother’s Wedding and Sara Driver’s Sleepwalk. More here.

CALL FOR ENTRIES

IDA Enterprise Documentary Fund
Deadline: April 19

Are you working on a feature documentary that integrates journalistic practice in exploring original, contemporary stories? The IDA Enterprise Documentary Fund is now accepting applications for production support! In addition to funds, grantees receive project-tailored pro bono legal, research, and fact-checking support. US and international co-productions welcome.

Apply for Production Funding Up To $100K by April 19, 2021 

Learn more and apply now!

The William Greaves Fund
Deadline: May 1

In 2020, Firelight Media launched the William Greaves Fund for mid-career nonfiction filmmakers of color. This newly dedicated fund resources talented storytellers from racially and ethnically underrepresented communities in the United States, as well as filmmakers from Mexico, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and Colombia with a particular interest in those who identify as being of Indigenous and/or of African descent.

Learn more and apply now!

Woodstock Film Festival 
Regular Deadline: May 7th

The Woodstock Film Festival is accepting submissions for its 22nd anniversary this fall! Located just two hours north of New York City at the foothills of the beautiful Catskill Mountains, this "fiercely independent" festival is a haven for established and emerging filmmakers alike. WFF's enthusiastic audiences, abundant networking opportunities, and unpretentious atmosphere create the perfect environment to showcase your work and connect with fellow industry members.

Click here to submit your project before the next deadline: https://bit.ly/3cFdBJT

SFFILM Sloan Science in Cinema Filmmaker Fellowship
Deadline: May 14

The SFFILM Sloan Science in Cinema Filmmaker Fellowship supports filmmakers in the screenwriting phase developing a feature film that tells a story rooted in science or technology. Writers must have the intention of working with scientific advisors to ensure the accuracy of their stories. Winners will receive a $35,000 cash grant and a two-month residency at FilmHouse. Learn more and apply now.

Just For Laughs- Stand Up & Pitch
Deadline: May 14th

Stand Up & Pitch, the comedy industry’s largest and longest running pitch program is now open for submissions! And we’re looking for the funniest TV or web series ideas. Submit today and you could be selected to pitch your project online at the Just For Laughs Festival and JustFor Laughs ComedyPRO. You’ll get to pitch your idea to a panel of senior development and production execs and make your mark. Join THE global gathering of the biggest players in the comedy industry. Visit the Just ForLaughs ComedyPRO website for details.