La Fémis Summer Class 2019

May 31 – July 26, 2019

 

The Summer University is a two-month program for 15 non-European young film directors or film students who wish to develop their practical and theoretical knowledge of documentary filmmaking in France. This program is supported by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign affairs.

Only applicants from countries where French Institutes provide a scholarship grant for this training can apply (Maghreb, Africa, Latin America, Asia – except South Korea, Japan and Singapore – Eastern Europe – except countries of the European Union – and Middle-East).

Selection

Trainees are selected both by the French Institute of the home country of the applicant and La Fémis, on the basis of the application file, available at the French Institute, and a film directed by the applicant.

Program

The program runs for 8 week of intensive classes, 5 days per week. Each trainee directs a 5 to 10 minutes documentary. Along with its preparation, trainees follow a 4 week theoretical course including many film screenings. The last 4 weeks of the program are dedicated to the documentary filmmaking.

First part (4 weeks) Classes are given by professionals from the French film industry (who regularly teach at La Fémis, and some of them are Fémis Alumni) in which the following subjects are taught: writing, directing, editing of a documentary and its production conditions (encounters with producers specialized in co-productions and persons in charge of the cinema funds “Aides aux cinémas du monde” and of the “Fabrique du cinéma du Monde”). Technical training workshops take place also during this first part: pocket film workshop (filming with a cellphone), sound and cinematography workshops… Many screenings illustrate the classes, followed by a Q&A with the director. In 2018, invited directors were: Eric Caravaca (Carré 35), Jean-Baptiste Thoret (We Blew It), Raed Andoni (Ghost Hunting), Olivier Babinet (Swagger), Claire Simon (Premières Solitudes), Bojina Panayotova (Je vois rouge).

Second part (4 weeks): documentary filmmaking Trainees are involved in the various stages of the project’s development: writing, location scouting, shooting, editing. Each trainee makes a 5 to 10 minutes documentary film. Each, in turn, assumes the different positions in the shooting. Throughout this phase, trainees are supervised by professional tutors who regularly teach at La Fémis.

The ability to speak, write and read in French is compulsory Applicants must not have over the age of 30 on January 1st, 2019.

Application forms are available at AF Chandigarh or can be requested at [email protected]. They should be sent at the same email address.

Deadline for receiving applications : 15th of March 2019