STEPdoc is a Ratiu Foundation programme which aims to reinvigorate Romanian documentary film, stimulating contemporary relevance and artistic innovation. This year’s funding session was launched with the occasion of All Change!, the 2009 edition of the Romanian Film Festival in London.
STEPdoc consists of a mobility grant per year, worth £1,500, which will allow a Romanian film maker, at an early stage of his or her career, one month of immersion in the UK documentary culture, towards the development of a documentary project with international potential.
The mobility grant is to be used for the individual research of a specific project set in the UK and / or for networking with a UK-based company in view of the development of a common film project. On a broader level, STEPdoc would provide an opportunity to gain inspiration and to take part in the vibrant British documentary culture.
Applications for STEPdoc will consist of the following documents (in English):
• Letter of intention (see details below)
• Curriculum vitae and filmography of the applicant (max. 1 page each)
• When available, evidence of previous work (DVD)
• Documentation of the proposed project in development:
- synopsis (max. 1 page)
- treatment (max. 2 pages)
- argument / motivation letter (max. 1 page)
- research / networking plan for the duration of the mobility grant (max. 2 pages)
- further funding envisaged for the production of the film (max. 1 page)
This call is open to documentary film-makers of Romanian nationality working on creative documentary projects that relate to Romania or involve Romanian subjects without necessarily being shot in Romania. Preference will be given to applications submitted by individual film-makers or independent producers. A proven commitment of the applicant to documentary form is desirable but not compulsory..
The selection of the winning project will be made by the Ratiu Foundation Board of Advisors.
The winner of STEPdoc 2009 will be personally notified in writing, and announced publicly during the Award Ceremony of the 10th edition of the Astra Film Festival. Astra, one of the most important documentary film festivals in Romania and Central and South-Eastern Europe, will take place in the city of Sibiu from 26 October to 1 November 2009.
Whilst in the UK, the grant recipient will make their own accommodation and living arrangements. Should the grant recipient need any advice on networking with UK-based film organisations and/or professionals, the Board of Advisers will happily offer directions and suggestions.
The recipient of the grant will be expected to submit a report on the completion of the mobility grant, and to credit STEPdoc by displaying the logo of the Ratiu Foundation on the film credits.
Please send applications by post to the following address:
Nicolae Ratiu
Chairman
The Ratiu Foundation
Manchester Square
18 Fitzhardinge Street
London W1H 6EQ, England, UK
IMPORTANT
Please specify in your letter of intention the following:
- Name, Surname, Date of birth, Nationality, Address, Telephone, E-mail, Professional status, Work address (if applicable).
Also, please include the answer to the following questions:
- Have you been to the United Kingdom on a professional visit before? If yes, please give details.
- How did you find about STEPdoc?
The winner of the 2008 session of STEPdoc mobility grant is Matei Alexandru Mocanu, with ‘The Shukar Collective Project’. Previous STEPdoc winners are Adina Pintilie and Corina Radu with their projects in-the-making on metropolitan loneliness, and respectively a biographical documentary on Queen Mary of Romania.
