Film Funds

http://knol.google.com/k/film-funds-for-indian-film-makers#

NFDC: The National Film Development Corporation Limited (NFDC) provides filmmakers with co-production facilities. Application forms are available online and at the Head Office in Mumbai and regional offices across India. Filmmakers need to submit the application forms, the synopsis and treatment (in English) along with a non-refundable processing fee of INR 2000 (for short films) and INR 5000 (for feature films). NFDC assures minimum fiscal investment of 30% of the total cost of the film project. For the projects which are selected by the committee, NFDC undertakes to finance the films with an investment of an additional 30% of the total budget of the film or Rs.10 Million, whichever is less. The filmmaker has to raise the balance investment within one year from the date of selection of their project. A maximum of five scripts are selected by committee.
For detailed Info: Email nfdc@nfdcindia.com or Visit: www.nfdcindia.com
Global Film Initiative: The Global Film Initiative was created to promote cross-cultural understanding through the medium of cinema. This is an American film fund mostly for filmmakers in developing countries of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. Twice every year, 10 grants of up to $10,000 each are given to feature film makers from these regions. The current last date for application is 15 Jan 2009. They also have an acquisition and distribution program.
For detailed Info: Call 415-934-9500, Fax 415-934-9501, Email gfi-info@globalfilm.org or Visitwww.globalfilm.org
World Cinema Fund: This fund set up by the Berlin International Film Festival seeks to provide production and distribution funding for films that surprise audiences with their unusual aesthetics, tell poignant stories and present an authentic image of their cultural heritage. This funding is both for production and distribution of feature films as well as documentaries. This fund is mainly for co-productions with a German company and the maximum funding is of € 100,000 per project. Production funding applications should be submitted before 12 March 2009.
For detailed information:  Email heinen@berlinale.den and bugno@berlinale.de or Visitwww.berlinale.de.
Hubert Bals Fund: This fund is given to remarkable or urgent feature films and feature-length creative documentaries by innovative and talented filmmakers from developing countries. Though the fund looks at the financial aspects of a project, the decisive factor remains its artistic value. Since the Fund started in 1988, close to 600 projects from independent filmmakers in Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Africa and Latin America have received support. Approximately 80% of these projects have been realised or are currently in production. It makes individual grants of to €10,000 for script and project development, €20,000 for digital production, €30,000 for post-production or €15,000 towards distribution costs in the country of origin. Selection rounds take place twice a year, with application deadlines on March 1 and August 1. The International Film Festival Rotterdam screens a large part of the year's harvest of completed films supported by the fund. In exchange for its financial contribution the Hubert Bals Fund wishes to obtain the exclusive distribution rights of the film in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg. After recovery of HBF's support the income is shared with the filmmaker.
For detailed Info: Email: hbf@filmfestivalrotterdam.com or Visithttp://professionals.filmfestivalrotterdam.com/eng/hubert_bals_fund/faq.aspx
Jan Vrijman Fund (for Documentaries): IDFA's Jan Vrijman Fund supports filmmakers and festivals in developing countries. Its goal is to stimulate local film cultures and to turn the creative documentary into a truly global film art. Since 1998, the Fund has supported over 300 documentary projects and 57 documentary festivals and workshops. Support of up to €15,000 is give to documentary filmmakers. Besides this, the fund also gives financial and knowledge support to local activities aimed at promoting documentary film genre, organisation of workshops for filmmakers and producers from non-Western countries, activities aimed at distribution of documentaries in developing countries etc.
For detailed information: Call +31 20 6273329, Fax +31 20 6385388, Emailjanvrijmanfund@idfa.nl or Visit www.idfa.nl/industry/vrijman-fund.aspx
Sundance Documentary Fund: The Sundance Documentary Fund is dedicated to supporting U.S. and international documentary films and videos focused on current and significant issues and movements in contemporary human rights, freedom of expression, social justice, and civil liberties. In supporting independent vision and creative, compelling stories, the Sundance Documentary Fund hopes to give voice to the diverse exchange of ideas crucial to developing an open society, raise public consciousness about human rights abuses and restrictions of civil liberties, and engage citizens in a lively, ongoing debate about these issues. Quality of work samples, strength of proposal, potential for broad international distribution, and the issue's significance are elements heavily weighed during the review process. As the SDF works on a rolling submissions basis, they do not have any deadlines. Two funds given. One is the "Development Funds" of up to $15,000 available to projects in research or preproduction phase and can apply for additional support upon completion of a rough cut of the documentary. The "Work-in-Progress Funds" that ranges from $20,000 to $50,000 is available to projects in production or postproduction and requires the submission of a rough cut of the work in progress.
For detailed Info: Email sdf@sundance.org or visit: www.sundance.org.
Sundance and Skoll Foundation Documentary Fund: The Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program, in partnership with the Skoll Foundation, is funding up to 8 films yearly with a fund of $30,000-$150,000 per project. This is for independent documentary films that frame, examine and amplify social entrepreneurship as innovative approach to the central questions of our time. Documentary films that combine the art of storytelling with topics in social entrepreneurship and the work of social entrepreneurs, and which have a high potential for co-production and for a full distribution plan, including theatrical, broadcast and DVD distribution, will be given priority. Films can be at any stage of development, production or post-production to apply. Completed films will not be considered.
For detailed Info: Email dfpskoll@sundance.org or visit www.sundance.org/skol
Alter-Ciné Foundation (For Documentary): This Canadian foundation is inspired by its founder who said, "… documentaries should go against the tide, they should bear witness and spur us to action." The foundation offers a yearly grant to young film and video makers from Africa, Asia and Latin America to direct a documentary film on the theme of rights and freedoms, including social and economic rights, women's rights, the right to culture and artistic creation. This foundation particularly supports documentary films that dare to go against the tide, that take the side of the defenceless and question common assumptions by giving a voice to the voiceless, enriching our understanding of the world and helping us reflect on the possibility of changing the world from a perspective of peace, justice, equality and respect for differences. Deadline for the fund is 15^th August of every year.
For detailed Info: Call +1 (514) 273-7136, E-mail: alter@mlink.net or Visit: http://www.altercine.org/prog_an.html
Göteborg International Film Festival Fund: The objective of this fund is to help filmmakers in developing countries realise their film projects. The fund aims to provide assistance in film development, post-production and technical assistance to filmmakers. The GIFFF concentrates on providing opportunities for discussion on gender and promote female directors. The funding provided is SEK 100000 (close to $15,000).
For detailed Info: Email Åsa Bernlo at filmfund@filmfestival.org or Visit: http://www.goteborgfilmfestival.se/filmfestival/page/en/filmfond/information
Fonds Sud Cinéma: This fund provided by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication (National Center of Cinematography-CNC) and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has so far helped over 300 film projects and been responsible for the discovery of many new international talents. The fund covers feature, animation and creative documentary film projects intended for theatrical release in France and abroad. The average aid awarded to a film is € 110,000 and cannot exceed €152,000. The catch is that the major part of the money should be earmarked for post-production in France. The last date for the first commission in 2009 is 9^th January. Three other commissions would be given in March, June and September of 2009. A maximum of 40 projects are given funding per commission. Three types of assistance given: production assistance (Max €152,000), post production assistance (max €46,000) and re-writing assistance (Max €7,600).
For detailed Info: Call +33 (0)1 44 34 38 17, Fax 33 (0)1 44 34 37 23, EmailJacqueline.Ada@cnc.fr or Visit: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france-priorities_1/cinema_2/cinematographic-cooperation_9/production-support-funding_10/fonds-sud-cinema_11/rules-of-procedure_4440/index.html
The Swiss fund: The "Visions Sud Est" is a fund based in Switzerland and aims to support film productions from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe and make them visible worldwide and guarantee their distribution in Switzerland. Provides production support, post production support, to a maximum of 50'000 Swiss francs (fictional production), 20'000 Swiss francs (documentary production) or 20'000 Swiss francs for finishing a fictional production and 10'000 Swiss Francs for finishing a documentary production. This support entails the global distribution rights for Switzerland. Next application deadline is 31 May 2009.
For detailed Info: Write to info@visionssudest.ch or Visit www.visionssudest.ch/?informations
National Geographic All Roads Seed Grants: The All Roads Seed Grant Program funds film projects (feature film, long documentary, short documentary, shorts, animation or music video) by and about indigenous and underrepresented minority-culture filmmakers year-round and from all reaches of the globe. The program seeks filmmakers who bring their lives and communities to light through first-person storytelling. The program awards up to 16 film projects annually with grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. Submission deadlines are quarterly on the 15th of each March, June, September, and December. Award notifications are made approximately six weeks after each of these dates.
For detailed Info: Call +1 202 857 7660, Email allroads@ngs.org or Visit:www3.nationalgeographic.com/allroads/.
Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund: This fund is dedicated to documentary films that cover world affairs, domestic issues and social conflicts in depth. It provides finishing funds to documentaries that promote social change and illuminate issues in need of comprehensive coverage. Funded films will be driven by thoughtful, accurate and complete storytelling and an innovative approach to the use of source material, production techniques, or audience engagement. This fund is looking for films which challenge the status quo not just as pertains to subject matter but also in form. In 2009 the fund will offer grants ranging from $10,000 - $25,000 totaling $100,000. The deadline is 5^th Feb 2009.
For detailed Info: Email documentary@tribecafilminstitute.org or Visithttp://www.tribecafilminstitute.org/documentary/about/

Hivos Culture Fund: Film makers in developing countries have trouble obtaining film grants. This fund makes efforts promote the motion picture industry in developing countries by supporting filmmakers in various ways. The Hivos-NCDO culture fund then enables these films to be screened in the Netherlands. In addition to productions, the fund also supports film festivals, distribution initiatives and training for film makers. The fund has an India office in Bangalore.
For detailed Info: Call +91 (0) 80 22270367 / 22210514, Fax + 91 (0)80 2227 03 67, Emailhivos@hivos-india.org or hivos@hivos.nl or visit www.hivos.nl.
ITVS Documentary Fund: The Independent Television Service (ITVS), an organisation from the US, funds independent producers from outside of the United States to create documentaries for U.S. television. Through the International Call, storytellers from other countries introduce U.S. audiences to their global neighbours, opening a window into unfamiliar lives, experiences and perspectives. ITVS looks for contents that explore globally significant themes and inspires public dialogue. Funds between $10,000 to $150,000 are given per documentary. The next deadline is February 6, 2009.For detailed Info: Joy-Marie Scott at +1-415-356-8383 x232, Email joy_scott@itvs.org or Visit: http://www.itvs.org/producers/international_apply.html
VAF: The Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF) supports audiovisual production in, as well as international co-productions with Flanders. The Fund was set up by the Flanders government in 2002 and is headquartered in Brussels. The aims of the Flanders Audiovisual Fund are threefold: to develop a sustainable audiovisual industry, to encourage and support upcoming audiovisual talent and to promote a vibrant audiovisual culture in Flanders. VAF accomplishes four main tasks. It provides financial support for audiovisual productions (1) and promotes these in Flanders as well as abroad (2). The Fund also grants scholarships, finances professional training and supports/organises workshops (3) as well as carries out surveys on the audiovisual field (4).For detailed Info: Contact for: Fiction - Dirk Cools at dcools@vaf.be; Animation - Inge Verroken at iverroken@vaf.be; Documentary - Myriam De Boeck at mdeboeck@vaf.be; or Visithttp://www.vaf.be/taal/en

Part Time M.Sc.[Engineering] in Computer Animation And Games Development

perspectives

In life, perspective is d key towards the path of success. when v go to an opthomologist for an eye checkup,he asks us to sit on a chair which is attached with a setup on which we place our chin.dat setup has an area thru which v can see a white board with sme letters written in a row,diminishing in progression vertically..to check our vision's strength/weakness,he changes a couple of lenses..n after smetime we reach a position where we are able to see evrythin cleary,which was initially lookin blur n hazy. Drawing parallels frm the above case..lenses are like perspectives towards our aim/goal..d letters on d white board are like data/resourses/clues in life which is provided by d universe for our achievement of goals..when we change lenses,d same data which was initially looking hazy,suddenly becomes clear and we are able to read them in a particular pattern which has definite meaning and a possible answers to our goals in life..our each goal in life is associated with certain workable perspectives..our job is to find thm n d best suitable one which will magnify the chances of success...those perspectives when looked thru with specified aims, allows us to see the same data in definite understandable and workable patterns and hence converts them into information..nw when we have an eye to see them, its easier to work upon n with it..To summarize, we as humans, should start defining our short term n long term goals..these goals can be self improvising in quality, quantity n complexity..but define them as early as possible in life..nw start looking towards ur surroundings,happenings let it b frnds,job,colleagues or anythin for an xact or an approximate match which will alllow u to fullill n realize  either a part or full of ur goal..slowly this process will become a habbit n it will b so much in ur subconscious dat without u knwing it will become ur second nature..n things in life willl start fallin in place.. Connecting the unconnected..n resulting in an quantifiable outcome is one of the mantras towards success.

Photoshop Techniques

http://sixrevisions.com/photography/50-excellent-photography-related-tutorials/

http://9tutorials.com/2008/02/02/multiply-yourself.html

Information on Graphic Design...

http://www.creativeopera.com/2009/80-design-blogs/

http://www.graphicdesignblog.org/hidden-logos-in-graphic-designing/

http://www.thedesigncubicle.com/2008/12/10-common-typography-mistakes/

http://sixrevisions.com/project-management/feedback-the-creativity-killer/

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/06/25/10-common-mistakes-in-logo-design/

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/60-beautiful-hand-drawn-web-design/

http://www.youthedesigner.com/2009/06/22/7-perfect-wordpress-portfolio-themes/

http://www.youthedesigner.com/

http://sixrevisions.com/

Scripts & Screenplays

http://www.dailyscript.com/movie.html
http://www.dailyscript.com/links.html

"SPARK" speech given by Chetan Bhagat at the orientation program for the new batch of MBA students at Symbiosis, Pune,July 24, 2008

Good Morning everyone and thank you for giving me this chance to speak to you. This day is about you. You, who have come to this college, leaving the comfort of your homes (or in some cases discomfort), to become something in your life. I am sure you are excited. There are few days in human life when one is truly elated.  The first day in college is one of them.  When you were getting ready today, you felt a tingling in your stomach. What would the auditorium be like, what would the teachers be like, who are my new classmates – there is so much to be curious about. I call this excitement, the spark within you that makes you feel truly alive today. Today I am going to talk about keeping the spark shining. Or to put it another way, how to be happy most, if not all the time.
Where do these sparks start? I think we are born with them. My 3-year old twin boys have a million sparks. A little Spiderman toy can make them jump on the bed. They get thrills from creaky swings in the park. A story from daddy gets them excited. They do a daily countdown for birthday party – several months in advance – just for the day they will cut their own birthday cake.
I see students like you, and I still see some sparks. But when I see older people, the spark is difficult to find. That means as we age, the spark fades. People whose spark has faded too much are dull, dejected, aimless and bitter. Remember Kareena in the first half of Jab We Met vs the second half? That is what happens when the spark is lost.   So how to save the spark?
Imagine the spark to be a lamp’s flame. The first aspect is nurturing – to give your spark the fuel, continuously. The second is to guard against storms.

To nurture, always have goals. It is human nature to strive, improve and achieve full potential. In fact, that is success. It is what is possible for you. It isn’t any external measure – a certain cost to company pay package, a particular car or house.

Most of us are from middle class families. To us, having material landmarks is success and rightly so. When you have grown up where money constraints force everyday choices, financial freedom is a big achievement. But it isn’t the purpose of life. If that was the case, Mr. Ambani would not show up for work. Shah Rukh Khan would stay at home and not dance anymore. Steve Jobs won’t be working hard to make a better iPhone, as he sold Pixar for billions of dollars already. Why do they do it? What makes them come to work everyday? They do it because it makes them happy. They do it because it makes them feel alive Just getting better from current levels feels good. If you study hard, you can improve your rank. If you make an effort to interact with people, you will do better in interviews. If you practice, your cricket will get better. You may also know that you cannot become Tendulkar, yet. But you can get to the next level. Striving for that next level is important.
Nature designed with a random set of genes and circumstances in which we were born. To be happy, we have to accept it and make the most of nature’s design. Are you? Goals will help you do that. I must add, don’t just have career or academic goals. Set goals to give you a balanced, successful life. I use the word balanced before successful. Balanced means ensuring your health, relationships, mental peace are all in good order.
There is no point of getting a promotion on the day of your breakup. There is no fun in driving a car if your back hurts. Shopping is not enjoyable if your mind is full of tensions.
You must have read some quotes – Life is a tough race, it is a marathon or whatever. No, from what I have seen so far, life is one of those races in nursery school, where you have to run with a marble in a spoon kept in your mouth. If the marble falls, there is no point coming first. Same with life, where health and relationships are the marble. Your striving is only worth it if there is harmony in your life. Else, you may achieve the success, but this spark, this feeling of being excited and alive, will start to die.
One last thing about nurturing the spark – don’t take life seriously. One of my yoga teachers used to make students laugh during classes. One student asked him if these jokes would take away something from the yoga practice. The teacher said – don’t be serious, be sincere. This quote has defined my work ever since. Whether its my writing, my job, my relationships or any of my goals. I get thousands of opinions on my writing everyday. There is heaps of praise, there is intense criticism. If I take it all seriously, how will I write? Or rather, how will I live? Life is not to be taken seriously, as we are really temporary here. We are like a pre-paid card with limited validity. If we are lucky, we may last another 50 years. And 50 years is just 2,500 weekends. Do we really need to get so worked up? It’s ok, bunk a few classes, goof up a few interviews, fall in love. We are people, not programmed devices.

I’ve told you three things – reasonable goals, balance and not taking it too seriously that will nurture the spark. However, there are four storms in life that will threaten to completely put out the flame. These must be guarded against. These are disappointment, frustration, unfairness and loneliness of purpose.


Disappointment will come when your effort does not give you the expected return. If things don’t go as planned or if you face failure. Failure is extremely difficult to handle, but those that do come out stronger. What did this failure teach me? is the question you will need to ask. You will feel miserable. You will want to quit, like I wanted to when nine publishers rejected my first book. Some IITians kill themselves over low grades – how silly is that? But that is how much failure can hurt you. But it’s life. If challenges could always be overcome, they would cease to be a challenge. And remember – if you are failing at something, that means you are at your limit or potential. And that’s where you want to be.

Disappointment’ s cousin is  Frustration, the second storm.  Have you ever been frustrated? It happens when things are stuck. This is especially relevant in India. From traffic jams to getting that job you deserve, sometimes things take so long that you don’t know if you chose the right goal. After books, I set the goal of writing for Bollywood, as I thought they needed writers. I am called extremely lucky, but it took me five years to get close to  a release. Frustration saps excitement, and turns your initial energy into something negative, making you a bitter person. How did I deal with it? A realistic assessment of the time involved – movies take a long time to make even though they are watched quickly, seeking a certain enjoyment in the process rather than the end result – at least I was learning how to write scripts, having a side plan – I had my third book to write and even something as simple as pleasurable distractions in your life – friends, food, travel can help you overcome it. Remember, nothing is to be taken seriously. Frustration is a sign somewhere, you took it too seriously. 


Unfairness – this is hardest to deal with, but unfortunately that is how our country works. People with connections, rich dads, beautiful faces, pedigree find it easier to make it – not just in Bollywood, but everywhere. And sometimes it is just plain luck. There are so few opportunities in India, so many stars need to be aligned for you to make it happen. Merit and hard work is not always linked to achievement in the short term, but the long term correlation is high, and ultimately things do work out. But realize, there will be some people luckier than you. In fact, to have an opportunity to go to college and understand this speech in English means you are pretty damm lucky by Indian standards. Let’s be grateful for what we have and get the strength to accept what we don’t. I have so much love from my readers that other writers cannot even imagine it. However, I don’t get literary praise. It’s ok. I don’t look like Aishwarya Rai, but I have two boys who I think are more beautiful than her. It’s ok. Don’t let unfairness kill your spark.


Finally, the last point that can kill your spark is Isolation. As you grow older you will realize you are unique. When you are little, all kids want Ice cream and Spiderman. As you grow older to college, you still are a lot like your friends. But ten years later and you realize you are unique. What you want, what you believe in, what makes you feel, may be different from even the people closest to you. This can create conflict as your goals may not match with others. And you may drop some of them. Basketball captains in college invariably stop playing basketball by the time they have their second child. They give up something that meant so much to them. They do it for their family. But in doing that, the spark dies.
Never, ever make that compromise. Love yourself first, and then others. 

There you go. I’ve told you the four thunderstorms – disappointment, frustration, unfairness and isolation. You cannot avoid them, as like the monsoon they will come into your life at regular intervals. You just need to keep the raincoat handy to not let the spark die.

I welcome you again to the most wonderful  years of your life. If someone gave me the choice to go back in time, I will surely choose college. But I also hope that ten years later as well, your eyes will shine the same way as they do today. That you will Keep the Spark alive, not only through college, but through the next 2,500 weekends. And I hope not just you, but my whole country will keep that spark alive, as we really need it now more than any moment in history. And there is something cool about saying – I come from the land of a billion sparks.

Thank You.