Guiding Lights 9 Guidelines for Applicants - Ireland Contents p.2 Introduction p.3 Who Can Apply? p.3 Equal Opportunities p.3 How to Apply p.4 What Happens Next p.5 Key Dates p.5 Enquiries p.6 WRITERS (and WRITER/DIRECTORS) - Eligibility & Application Information p.8 Appendix 1: Equal Opportunities p.9 Appendix 2: Approved Screenwriting Awards & Development Schemes p.10 Appendix 3: Approved Festivals and Awards
Introduction Guiding Lights is the UK film industry s leading mentoring programme We are now accepting applications for Guiding Lights 9, and will select a group of participants to take part in a new round of the scheme, set to launch in July 2017. This year we are delighted to be partnering again with Screen Training Ireland part of Bórd Scannán na héireann/irish Film Board to support one Irish writer (or writer/director) on the scheme. Guiding Lights supports and develops promising film talent through high-level mentoring, complemented by a range of training and networking activities. Successful applicants will each be matched with a well-established film industry professional, who will provide advice and guidance over a 9-month period. During this time a number of face-to-face meetings will take place with phone or email contact in between. Alongside the one-to-one mentoring, participants will benefit from a number of industry training and networking events. Further access to high-level filmmakers and business professionals is provided through an online facility. Guiding Lights aims to help improve diversity within the UK film industry by addressing the issues of access which individuals often face when progressing their careers. We welcome applications from across the community, and will provide financial assistance for pre-agreed travel, subsistence and childcare costs. We are also able to facilitate access for deaf and disabled people please see the Equal Opportunities section for further information. Guiding Lights is run by Lighthouse, and supported by Creative Skillset s Film Skills Fund, which is funded by the BFI with National Lottery funds and through the Skills Investment Fund. Additional funding is provided through our partnership with Screen Training Ireland and Bórd Scannánna héireann/irish Film Board. All information is available in large print format, and can be downloaded from the website: http://www.lighthouse.org.uk/guiding-lights/guiding-lights-apply 2
Who Can Apply? We are seeking applications from: Writers (or writer/directors) Although we are only accepting applications from writers this year, we realise that certain disciplines often cross over, particularly in the case of writer/directors. If you are a writer/director, you may apply as long as you meet the eligibility criteria for writers and can demonstrate a desire to focus primarily on your writing while on the scheme. All applicants must: have a permanent address in Ireland; and not be in full time education. Guiding Lights is a talent development programme, not a training scheme. It is therefore not open to entry-level participants. Applicants must demonstrate a proven track record in their field, along with a strong commitment to proactively trying to advance their film career. We are looking for candidates who have reached a critical point in their professional development, and who will particularly benefit from high-level mentoring and access to industry. Please refer to the relevant Eligibility & Application Information section to check the eligibility criteria for your specific discipline. Equal Opportunities We are able to facilitate access in a variety of ways please see Appendix 1 for further information. How to Apply The deadline for applications is 5pm, Tuesday 11 th April 2017. Late submissions will not be considered under any circumstances. Before starting an application, please ensure you have read the Guidelines and FAQs. The application process is a fairly lengthy one, so please ensure you allow yourself enough time ahead of the deadline to complete the different stages, and gather the supporting information and documents. The eligibility and application requirements for each role are different, so please check the relevant Eligibility & Application Information section for further details on what is needed for your specific discipline. Enquiries about eligibility, the application process or technical issues can be directed to guiding@lighthouse.org.uk. We will endeavour to respond to you within 48 hours. Please include a phone number in your email in case we need to contact you to discuss your query over the phone. 3
There are three stages in the application process: 1. Complete the online Eligibility Questionnaire In order to access the online Application Form you will first need to complete the Eligibility Questionnaire and provide information to demonstrate that you are eligible to apply. 2. Complete the online Application Form Once you pass the Eligibility Questionnaire you will be sent a link to access the Application Form. You will then need to complete all the required sections and provide the requested supporting information and documents. 3. Complete the online Equality Monitoring Form After completing the Application Form, you will be sent a link to the Equality Monitoring Form. To start the application process please visit http://www.lighthouse.org.uk/guiding-lights/guiding-lights-apply What Happens Next Interviews Interviews will take place in Dublin on Tuesday 6 th June 2017. It will not be possible to conduct interviews outside of the date specified above, so applicants should ensure that they are available on this day. Skype interviews can be accommodated if necessary, but shortlisted applicants should try to make themselves available for a face-to-face meeting. Due to a tight timetable we are unable to give much advance notice for interviews - shortlisted candidates will be contacted the week before. The interview panels will include members of the Lighthouse management team and other industry professionals. For invited candidates who live outside of Dublin, pre-approved travel expenses will be reimbursed on production of receipts. Selection Applicants selected for the scheme will be notified by Thursday 8 June 2017. An introductory training day will be held on Wednesday 14 June 2017 in Brighton. All selected participants are asked to attend this session if possible. Selected participants will be required to pay an administration fee of 75 in order to confirm their place on the Guiding Lights scheme. Due to the high volume of applications Guiding Lights receives, we will not be able to notify applicants who haven t been shortlisted for interview or provide individual feedback. If you have not received an invite to interview by the above date, you should assume you haven t been successful on this occasion. We thank you in advance for your understanding. 4
Key Dates Applications Deadline 5pm, Tuesday 11 April 2017 Interviews Tuesday 6 June 2017 Introductory Training Day** Wednesday 14 June 2017 **All selected participants are requested to attend this training session if possible. Enquiries General enquiries about Guiding Lights, eligibility, the application process or technical issues should be directed to: Email: guiding@lighthouse.org.uk We will endeavour to respond to you within 48 hours. Please include a phone number in your email in case we need to contact you to discuss your query over the phone. 5
WRITERS (and WRITER/DIRECTORS) - Eligibility & Application Information The deadline for applications is 5pm, Tuesday 11 April 2017. Late submissions will not be considered under any circumstances. There are three stages in the application process: 1. Complete the online Eligibility Questionnaire 2. Complete the online Application Form 3. Complete the online Equality Monitoring Form In order to access the online Application Form you will first need to complete the Eligibility Questionnaire and provide information to demonstrate that you are eligible to apply. Once you pass the Eligibility Questionnaire you will be sent a link to access the Application Form. After completing the Application Form, you will be sent a link to the Equality Monitoring Form. To start the application process please visit: http://www.lighthouse.org.uk/guiding-lights/guiding-lights-apply WRITERS (and WRITER/DIRECTORS) - Eligibility You are eligible to apply if you meet all four requirements below: 1) You are a writer (or writer/director) with a permanent address in Ireland. 2) You have a writing credit on at least 2 pieces of eligible work, as defined below: and/or and/or A produced short film which satisfies at least one of the following: has been officially selected by a festival programmer for a festival on our approved list (see Appendix 3); or has had a theatrical release; or has been picked up for broadcast on television or online distribution; or has a third party sales agency or distribution agreement in place A feature length screenplay which has received third party development funding, won a notable industry award or secured a place on a high-level development programme (see eligible awards and schemes in Appendix 2) A long-form fictional work which has been optioned, commissioned or produced such as: a feature-length screenplay; or a TV/online drama - single episode (30mins minimum) or multiple episodes (total length 30mins minimum); or a novel; or a professional play for theatre (minimum length 30mins); or a radio drama - single episode (30mins minimum) or multiple episodes (total length 30mins minimum) 6
3) You have written at least 1 feature-length script (as sole writer) which you can send to us for assessment (this does not need to have been produced, optioned or have received any funding/development support); 4) You have at least 1 other feature-length script in development (this can be at synopsis, treatment or script stage). WRITERS (and WRITER/DIRECTORS) - Eligibility Questionnaire - Supporting Information To demonstrate you satisfy the eligibility criteria, as set out above, you need to provide evidence of your 2 qualifying writer credits. This can include but is not limited to: a scanned Option or Writer s Agreement showing that your fictional long-form work has been optioned or commissioned; a link or screen grab/scan of a qualifying festival programme (see Appendix 3); official correspondence with a festival, or awards notification; proof of your credit on a broadcast or theatrically released work (i.e. contracts or listings). If you have questions regarding your eligibility, please email guiding@lighthouse.org.uk. We will endeavour to respond to you within 48 hours. Please include a phone number in your email in case we need to contact you to discuss your query over the phone. WRITERS (and WRITER/DIRECTORS) - Application Form All disciplines are required to complete the Application Form in order to be eligible for consideration. Within the form, you will be required to answer the following questions: 1. What qualities make you stand out in your specific discipline? 2. What challenges do you currently face in your career and how would the Guiding Lights scheme help you to overcome them? 3. What strategies have you used in the past to overcome any professional or personal obstacles? 4. What do you hope to gain from a mentor and how do you think they will help you to achieve your full potential? 5. How will you help make the mentoring partnership work? 6. Please choose a favourite film and explain why it inspires you. WRITERS (and WRITER/DIRECTORS) - Application Form - Supporting Documents As well as completing the online Application Form you will be required to provide the following supporting documents: 1. a CV including filmography and/or past and current projects; 2. 1 feature-length screenplay, on which you are credited as sole writer; 3. the synopsis of another feature-length project you are developing (no longer than one page); 4. a letter of recommendation from a professional referee who has known you for at least 12 months, and has worked with you in your capacity as a screenwriter. The letter should detail who they are, how they know you, and why you would be suitable for Guiding Lights. 7
Appendix 1: Equal Opportunities Accessibility Guiding Lights aims to help improve diversity within the film industry by addressing the issues of access which individuals often face when progressing their careers. To ensure equality of opportunity, access will be facilitated in the following ways: all guidelines and information regarding the scheme are available in large print format and can be downloaded from the Guiding Lights website www.lighthouse.org.uk/guiding-lights; individual needs of applicants will be discussed once they have reached the shortlist stage, prior to interview; we have a budget allocation for ISL interpreters and associated travel and subsistence costs; all networking events and training sessions are held in venues which are wheelchair accessible. Travel and Accommodation Costs We will cover pre-agreed travel, accommodation and childcare costs incurred when meeting with mentors or attending training sessions for one Irish participant. We are open to applications from writing duos, but applicants should be aware that the additional travel and accommodation costs will not be covered by the scheme. The programme also includes a trip to Galway Film Fleadh, for which we are able to cover accommodation and travel. Equality Monitoring Information Due to the nature of the funding of Guiding Lights, this information will be made available to project partners for monitoring and reporting purposes only. Although it is not compulsory, we would be grateful if you would complete the form we send you to ensure compliance with our Equal Opportunities policy. The form link will be sent to you upon receipt of your application form, and will remain anonymous and separate to your application. 8
Appendix 2: Approved Screenwriting Awards & Development Schemes Screenwriting Awards To qualify you must have won or been awarded a runner-up prize. American Zoetrope Screenplay Contest Athena List Winner Austin Screenwriting Competition - Austin Film Festival BAFTA Breakthrough Brits BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum BAFTA Scotland New Talent Award Big Bear Screenwriting Competition - Big Bear Lake International Film Festival Bluecat 'From Short to Long, Clermont Ferrand Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Page International Screenwriting Awards Shore Scripts Screenwriters' Goldmine Script Pipeline Slamdance Screenplay Competition The Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Contest Tracking B The Brit List (inclusion on) The Black List (inclusion on) Development Schemes Binger Lab Cinéfondation, Cannes CineStory Foundation Retreat and Fellowship Disney/ABC Writing Fellowship EIFF Talent Lab equinoxe Europe Film London Microwave Development Scheme ifeatures Development Programme LFS Hothouse Rocliffe Writing Forum Screen Yorkshire Triangle Scheme Screenwriting Lab LA Film Festival Sundance Screenwriters Lab Torino Film Lab Toronto International Film Festival Lab The Bureau Save Our Scripts 9
Appendix 3: Approved Festivals & Awards AbilityFest: India International Disability Film Festival (India) Academia De Las Artes Y Ciencias Cinematograficas De España (Spain) Académie Des Arts Et Techniques Du Cinéma (César, France) Academy Of Canadian Cinema & Television (Canada) Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences (Students) Aesthetica Short Film Festival (UK) AFI Docs Film Festival (Washington) AFI Fest (California, USA) African Diaspora Film Festival (NY, USA) African International Film Festival (Nigeria) American Black Film Festival (USA) Angers Premiers Plans (France) Anima Mundi Animation Festival (Brazil) Anima, The Brussels Animation Film Festival (Belgium) Animafest Zagreb World Festival of Animated Film (Croatia) Ann Arbor Film Festival (Michigan, USA) Annecy Festival International Du Cinema D'Animation (France) Antalya Golden Orange (Altın Portakal) Film Festival (Turkey) Aspen Shortsfest (Colorado, USA) Astana International Action Film Festival (Russia) Athens International Film & Video Festival (Ohio, USA) Athena Film Festival (NYC, USA) Atlanta Film Festival (Georgia, USA) Austin Film Festival (Texas, USA) BAFTA - nominee (UK) BAFTA Cymru - nominee (UK) BAFTA Scotland - nominee (UK) Berlin International Film Festival Bermuda International Film Festival (Bermuda) BFI London Film Festival (UK) BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival (UK) BFM International Film Festival (UK) Big Sky Documentary Film Festival (Montana, USA) Bilbao International Festival of Documentary and Short Films (Spain) Birds Eye View Film Festival (London) Bite The Mango Film Festival (UK) Bogota Film Festival (Colombia) Brest European Short Film Festival (France) British Independent Film Awards (UK) Brooklyn International Film Festival (New York, USA) Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (Belgium) Busan International Film Festival (Korea) Cairo International Film Festival (Egypt) Cambridge Film Festival (UK) Camerimage (Poland) Cannes International Film Festival (France) Cartagena International Film Festival (Colombia) CFC (Canadian Film Centre) Worldwide Short Film Festival (Canada) Chicago International Children s Film Festival (Illinois, USA) Chicago International Film Festival (Illinois, USA) Cinanima International Animation Film Festival (Portugal) Cinema Jove International Film Festival (Valencia) Cinequest Film Festival (California, USA) Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival (France) Cleveland International Film Festival (Ohio, USA) Corona Cork Film Festival (Ireland) Courmayeur Noir In Festival (Italy) CPH:Dox (Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival) (Denmark) Creteil International Women s Film Festival (France) David Di Donatello Award [Accademia Del Cinema Italiano] (Italy) Deaffest, Wolverhampton Deaf Film and TV Festival (UK) Deaf Roc, Deaf Rochester Film Festival (New York, USA) DOC NYC (New York, USA) DocsBarcelona (International Documentary Film Festival) (Spain) Docuweeks (International Documentary Association, New York and Los Angeles) DOK Leipzig The International Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animated Film Donosita San Sebastian International Film Festival (Spain) Dresden Short Film Festival (Germany) 10
Dubai International Film Festival (UAE) Durban International Film Festival (South Africa) Edinburgh International Film Festival (Scotland) Edindocs (Scotland) Encounters International Short Film Festival (UK) Era New Horizons International Film Festival (Wroclaw) Eurasia International Film Festival (Kazakhstan) European Film Awards (Berlin) Expresion en Corto / Short Expression: International Film Festival (Guánajuato) FESPACO - Pan-African Film And Television Festival (Burkina Faso) Festival de Cine de Huesca (Spain) Festoria International Film Festival (Portugal) Film Africa (London, UK) Flanders International Film Festival (Ghent) Flickerfest International Australian Short Film Festival (Australia) Florida Film Festival (USA) Foyle Film Festival (Ireland) Frameline San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival (California, USA) Full Frame Documentary Film Festival (North Carolina) Galway Film Fleadh (Ireland) German Short Film Award (Germany) Gijon International Film Festival (Spain) Gothenburg International Film Festival (Sweden) Guadalajara International Film Festival (Mexico) Guanajuato International Film Festival (Mexico) Hamburg International Short Film Festival (Germany) Hamburg International Queer Film Festival (Germany) Hamptons International Film Festival (New York, USA) Haugesund, The Norwegian International Film Festival (Norway) Heartland Film Festival (Indiana, USA) Hiroshima International Animation Festival (Japan) Hollywood Black Film Festival (California, USA) Hot Docs - Canadian International Documentary Festival (Canada) Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (Tennessee, USA) Huesca International Film Festival (Spain) Human Rights Arts and Film Festival (Melbourne, Australia) Human Rights Watch International Film Festival (New York, USA) Inside Out LGBT Film Festival (Toronto, Canada) International Documentary and Short Film Festival (Amsterdam, Netherlands) International Film Festival Of India (Goa, India) International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) (India) Iris Prize Festival (UK) Istanbul International Film Festival (Turkey) It s All True - International Documentary Film Festival (Brazil) Jeonju International Film Festival (Korea) Jerusalem Film Festival (Israel) Jewish International Film Festival (UK) Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Czech Republic) Kiev International Film Festival (Ukraine) Kolkata Film Festival (India) Krakow Film Festival (Poland) Last One (Virgin Media Shorts) Leeds International Film Festival (UK) Leuven International Short Film Festival (Belgium) Leipzig International Festival For Documentary and Animated Film (Germany) Listapad Minsk International Film Festival (Belarus) Locarno International Film Festival (Switzerland) London International Documentary Festival (UK) London Short Film Festival (UK) London s International Disability Film Festival (UK) Los Angeles Film Festival (California, USA) Los Angeles International Short Film Festival (California, USA) Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (California, USA) Mar Del Plata International Film Festival (Argentina) Mecal International Short Film Festival (Barcelona) Melbourne International Film Festival (Australia) Message To Man Film International Documentary, Short and Animated Films Festival (St Petersberg, Russia) Milan African, Asian and Latin American Film Festival (Italy) Mix Brasil Cinema and Video Festival Of Sexual Diversity (Brazil) Mix Copenhagen LGBT Film Festival (Denmark) Molodist International Film Festival (Ukraine) Montreal Festival du Nouveau Cinema (Canada) Montreal World Film Festival (Canada) Morelia International Film Festival (Mexico) Moscow International Film Festival (Russia) 2
Mostra of Valencia Cinema of Mediterrani (Spain) Mumbai Film Festival (India) Namur Festival International du Film Francophone de Namur (France) Nashville Film Festival (Tennessee, USA) New Directors/New Films Festival (New York, USA) New Orleans Film Festival (USA) New York International Children s Film Festival (USA) Nordisk Panorama 5 Cities Film Festival (Five Nordic Countries) NY Afircan Film Festival Oberhausen International Short Film Festival (Germany) Odense International Film Festival (Denmark) Osnabrück International Film Festival (Germany) Ottawa International Animation Festival (Canada) Outfest LA (USA) Out In Africa South African Gay And Lesbian Film Festival (South Africa) Palm Springs International Shorts Festival (California, USA) Pan African Film And Arts Festival (Los Angeles, USA) Perspektiva Breaking Down Barriers Disability Film Festival (Moscow) Picture This Film Festival (Canada) Pusan International Film Festival (Korea) Raindance Film Festival (UK) Reeling Film Festival (Chicago, USA) Rhode Island International Film Festival (USA) Rio De Janeiro International Short Film Festival (Brazil) River Run International Film Festival (North Carolina, USA) Rotterdam International Film Festival (Netherlands) Rushes Soho Shorts Festival (UK) San Francisco International Film Festival (California, USA) Santa Barbara International Film Festival (California, USA) São Paulo International Film Festival (Brasil) Sarajevo Film Festival (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Seattle International Film Festival (Washington, USA) Shanghai International Film Festival (China) Sheffield Doc/Fest (UK) Short and Animated Film Festival (Russia) ShortShorts Film Festival (Japan) Show Me Shorts Film Festival (New Zealand) Siggraph, Computer Animation Festival (USA) Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia (Spain) Slamdance Film Festival (Utah, USA) Sofia International Film Festival (Bulgaria) South Asian International Film Festival (New York, USA) South By Southwest Film Festival (Texas, USA) South By Southwest Short Film Program (Texas, USA) St Kilda Film Festival (Australia) St Louis International Film Festival (Missouri, USA) Stockholm International Film Festival (Sweden) Stuttgart International Animation Festival (Germany) Sundance Film Festival (Utah, USA) Superfest International Disability Film Festival (California, USA) Sydney Film Festival (Australia) Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (Estonia) Tampere International Short Film Festival (Finland) Telluride Film Festival (USA) The Hamptons International Film Festival (New York, USA) Thessaloniki International Film Festival (Greece) Tokyo International Film Festival (Japan) Torino Film Festival (Italy) Toronto International Film Festival (Canada) Toronto Worldwide Short Film Festival (Canada) Transilvania International Film Festival (Romania) Traverse City Film Festival (Michigan, USA) Tribeca Film Festival (New York, USA) Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival Tróia International Film Festival (Portugal) True/False Film Festival (Columbia, Missouri) Uppsala International Short Film Festival (Sweden) Urbanworld Film Festival, (New York, USA) USA Film Festival, National Short Film & Video Competition (Texas, USA) Venice International Film Festival (Italy) Viennale, Vienna International Film Festival (Austria) Virgin Media Shorts - People s Choice or Grand Prize (UK) Visions Du Réel, Nyon International Film Festival (Brazil) Warsaw Film Festival (Poland) Winterthur International Short Film Festival (Switzerland) 3