Je me vois à l’écran Screenwriting Residency

Who is this residency program for?

Emerging independent film artists from Black communities in Montréal.

What are the program objectives?

With this residency program, Black on Black Films and the Conseil des arts de Montréal aim to achieve the following objectives:

• Contribute to the artistic vitality and professional development of emerging artists from Black communities;
• Provide them with greater access to the film community and industry and reinforce their presence within these spaces;
• Foster the inclusion within fictional narratives of social and cultural experiences specific to Black communities, based on the current reality in Montréal.

What type of assistance is provided?

Selected artists will take part in a creative lab with the aim of writing a script for a short fiction film. During the program, professional artists offer them guidance and various tools. A $1,000 grant to support the creation process is also provided.

Other services offered:

• Writing workshops and screenwriting guidance;
• Reading committees;
• Introduction to directing workshop;
• Networking techniques and participation in professional presentations;
• Funding research and grant writing;
• Script read-through with actors.

At the end of the residency, filmmakers complete their short film scripts, retaining the rights.

How long is the residency?

The screenwriting residency takes place over a 20-week period (part-time). At the end of the program, the scripts are read in front of an audience with the help of a partner in the film community.

What do the partners contribute?

The collective Black and Black Films is in charge of all aspects of the project’s organization.

Quelles sont les conditions générales d’admissibilité?

Status and conditions

• Be a professional artist from the Black community.
• Be an emerging artist who has amassed some professional experience but may not yet have access to typical funding channels.
• Have completed at least one project as screenwriter or director.
• Be at least 18 years of age and be either a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada on the application deadline.
• Reside on the Island of Montréal.

Are there any special eligibility conditions?

• Have a short fiction or animated film project.
• Be available for a period of 20 weeks (part-time—schedule to be determined between the successful applicants and mentors).

Who is ineligible to apply?

Individuals

• Artists who do not meet the general and specific eligibility requirements.

Projects

• Projects with existing screenplays.
• Projects that are essentially promotional.

Applications

• Incomplete applications.
• Applications received after the deadline.
• Applications submitted by an arts organization.

Ineligible applications will not be considered by the evaluation committee.

How many applications will be accepted?

Four projects will be selected.

How can I submit an application?

For more information or to submit an application, visit the Black on Black Film website.

How are applications evaluated?

Applications will be evaluated by a jury composed primarily of professionals from the collective Black on Black Films and a representative from the Conseil des arts de Montréal. All projects will be evaluated on merit; the projects’ comparative value will be taken into consideration.

What are the evaluation criteria?

The evaluation committee will take into account the program objectives and the following criteria:

• Artistic merit of the project;
• Artistic quality and originality of past productions;
• Impact on the artist’s integration into the Montréal arts community;
• Project feasibility.

The evaluation committee will focus particularly on artists from Montréal’s outlying areas and on projects that create space for Black perspectives and storytelling in Quebec cinema.

The evaluation committee will select eight finalists to present their projects in person or via Zoom—four of these finalists will be selected for the residency.

What is the response time?

Once all applications have been submitted and processed, four weeks are necessary to evaluate the projects. The eight finalists chosen to present their projects to the selection committee will be notified the week of December 16, 2022.

How will the artist grant be paid?

The grant offered by the Conseil will be paid through Black on Black Films. An initial instalment of $500 will be paid upon submission of the first draft of the script and a second $500 instalment will be paid once the final version of the script has been submitted.

Commitments

Accepting payment of the grant constitutes, for the artist, an undertaking to complete the activities covered by the grant and to comply with the accompanying conditions, which will be communicated upon selection of the application.

Artists agree to:

• carry out the proposed project as planned
• notify the Conseil as soon as possible if unable to carry out the project in the fiscal year for which the grant was awarded. Depending on the situation, a full or partial refund may be requested.
• if requested, submit activity reports and financial statements at the required times
• if applicable, include in the report photographs, videos or any other relevant, royalty-free visuals that the Conseil may use for promotional or archival purposes