ISIS
Are you passionate about becoming a documentary film director? If you are a woman with a strong human rights story to tell, then ISIS could be just what you need.
*** This scheme is now closed to applications ***
What is ISIS?
ISIS is a groundbreaking documentary production and training initiative – run free-of-charge – that is designed to produce great human rights films and give talented women directors the skills they need to get ahead in the industry.
It is run by DFG, the UK’s leading provider of training in documentary filmmaking, in partnership with the British Institute of Human Rights, and supported with funding from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
What ISIS will do for you:
The ISIS intensive documentary production and training initiative will give 16 talented women the skills they need to kickstart their careers as documentary film directors.
ISIS will include human rights masterclasses with leading experts from the British Institute of Human Rights and Amnesty International UK, and will result in the production of three short documentaries on current human rights issues.
The initiative will run over a series of weekends in the first half of 2009, and will include training in proposal development and pitching, directing and interviewing techniques, HDV camera, and the grammar of editing, amongst other skills.
Following the ISIS training course, participants will develop and pitch their proposal for short documentaries on current human rights issues and three will be selected to go into production. The documentaries produced by participants as part of ISIS will be executive-produced and edited by practicing broadcast professionals.
Who is it for?
ISIS is for talented women who want to get their break as documentary film directors. You might already work in the industry, but this is not a requirement.
DFG is looking for women with a strong interest in human rights, and the talent and commitment to build successful directing careers in the documentary filmmaking industry. Further information on how to apply is set out below.
DFG is committed to promoting talent and equality in the documentary filmmaking industry, and to getting new voices heard on- and off-screen. We are keen to receive applications from women from diverse backgrounds.
ISIS Open Day - Saturday 18th October
The London based Open Day was an information and training day for applicants with over 120 women attending. The day included information on human rights in the UK, Isis guidelines, networking and production opportunities for women filmmakers and workshops on research and proposal writing. Presentations were given by:
Kerry McLeod, DFG, Mosaic Films - How to get ahead in the doc industry
Jean Candler, BIHR - Human Rights in the UK
Heather Harvey - Amnesty International UK
Deborah Kingsland, DFG - ISIS – Guidelines
Maggie Ellis, Film London - Opportunities for Women Filmmakers
Andrea Parr, Broadcast Director - Research workshop
Helena Appio, Exec Producer (BBC Factual Commissioning Editor 2003-6) - Short Film Proposal workshop
Key information and resources from the Open Day:
Please see below for the document Information for ISIS Applicants which includes details announced on the Open Day. Notes from the Amnesty presentation are available on request by emailing isis[at]dfgdocs.com. More resources and notes from the open day will be available online soon.
How to apply:
To apply to ISIS, please download and complete the ISIS application form below. Your application form must be completed and send it – along with your CV – by 5pm on the 12th November to:
isis[at]dfgdocs.com OR
DFG, 4th Floor, 28 Shacklewell Lane, London E8 2EZ.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Before applying, please download and read Information for ISIS Applicants and ISIS Guidelines. Both these documents are the bottom of this page.
The ISIS Application Form includes questions about your proposed short film relating to Human Rights in the UK. We are looking for films from one to five minutes maximum length.
For your application please email 2 items - the completed Application Form and your CV. If your CV is not attached, we cannot consider your application.
Download:
Information for ISIS Applicants
Download:
Information for ISIS Applicants - Large Print
Download:
ISIS Application Form
Download:
ISIS Application Form - Large Print
Download:
ISIS Terms and Conditions
Download:
ISIS Terms and Conditions - Large Print
Download:
ISIS Guidelines
Download:
ISIS Guidelines -Large Print
Back to Training