By Krys Estes
Contributing Writer
The Cucalorus Film Festival has extended its deadline for a new fund that is designed to encourage the next generation of North Carolinian filmmakers.
Aspiring filmmakers now have until midnight on Jan. 12 to apply for the “Filmed in NC” grant that Cucalorus launched in early December with the support of the North Carolina Film Office.
The program will help support independent film projects for permanent residents of North Carolina and full-time students enrolled at a North Carolina college or university.
“Funding emerging filmmakers and low-budget projects is essential to developing a healthy creative eco-system and builds on our continued commitment to supporting the development of bold new works by artists working here in North Carolina,” said Cucalorus executive director Dan Brawley. “Cucalorus is excited to be entering the funding side of the creative process.”
The program is designed to finance projects by up-and-coming as well as established artists who have produced original works that have the ability to create community and economic awareness that applies to North Carolina. Projects must be a new or ongoing, have a total budget under $250,000 and be a narrative, documentary or experimental film or video. The fund will be reserved for female, African American and Latino filmmakers as a priority first.
Guy Gaster, director of the North Carolina Film Office, said the office is excited to be one of the sponsors for this filmmaker’s fund as it is a new local program. The office sponsored the indie filmmakers fund with a $10,000 grant.
“We hope to get a lot of interest in this program locally and are excited to help provide opportunities for indigenous filmmakers at North Carolina universities,” Gaster said. “It will be rewarding to see these funds bring projects to reality and hopefully some of these filmmakers get screenings at Cucalorus.”
Funding will range from $500 to $3,000 per project. Selected applicants will be notified in early February 2016.
In November 2015 at Cucalorus 21, more than 250 films were displayed from 27 different countries with festival attendance of more than 17,000 people. The festival will return to Wilmington Nov. 9-13, 2016.
