SEA Docs 2011: Trees of Life – Seeds of Change

SEADocs – The Southeast Asian Student Documentary Award: is calling for submissions
Deadline for submissions: 02 Sept 2011

From Goethe Institut:
SEADocs – The Southeast Asian Student Documentary Award is a competition to encourage the art of documentary filmmaking in the region as a platform to engage with pressing social and environmental issues. The 2011 competition invites students aged 18 – 28 in Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam to submit a portfolio of their work and a motivational essay on making a film under the theme “Tree{s} of Life: Seeds of Change” by September 2, 2011.

Competition Outline:

A jury of film, television and forestry experts in each country will make a selection of three students based on a portfolio of their work and a motivational essay. The national shortlisted students will then receive expert guidance during the 8 week production period of their competition film.

During the production period, the film ideas of the students will be explored and developed under guidance of a consultant and the students will receive a budget grant of US$ 300 to produce a short documentary film (maximum 10 min. in length) in relation to the theme, which must be submitted by November 11, 2011.

The three regional winners are selected by an international jury and receive a cash prize of US$ 500 each. Furthermore, the first place winner receives a grant of up to US$ 5,000 to produce a feature length documentary.

Theme Outline:

Forests are home to 80% of terrestrial biodiversity with the livelihood of over 1.6 billion people dependent on forests. It is more than simply a rich ecological system, it is integral to life on this planet and to human survival. Our connection with the forests of this world is profound and multifaceted – covering cultural, medicinal, economic and ecological relationships. This essential bond is why the United Nations designated 2011 as the International Year of Forests and why it is the focus subject of SEADocs 2011.

We are asking students in Southeast Asia to view the diverse and complex relationships between individuals and communities and the forest habitats of this region through their unique filmmaker’s eyes. The competition challenges aspiring documentary directors to look beyond the obvious and to seek captivating stories under the motto of “Tree{s} of Life: Seeds of Change”.

Schedule:

September 2, 2011  Deadline for Submissions
September 9, 2011  Announcement of Shortlisted Candidates
November 11, 2011  Submission of Competition Films by Shortlisted Candidates
November 27, 2011  Announcement of Winners

Submission Guidelines:

1) Eligible applicants are students aged 18 – 28 before the application deadline. Only one student per film. Professionals in television and film are not entitled to enter the competition.

2) The online application form must be filled out under “Application Form” with acknowledgment that the submission guidelines have been read and understood. Submission deadline is September 2, 2011.

3) Eligible entries must include a portfolio of past work on DVD or Data DVD as well as a motivational essay of approximately 500 words in English.

4) Entry materials must arrive by September 5, 2011 or earlier.

5) Mail all entries to:

Vietnam:
Goethe-Institut Hanoi
SEADocs Competition
56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc,
Ba Dinh
Hanoi

For more information, visit SEADocs 2011’s website.