In the opening of the 4th Romanian Film Festival in London (April 2007), the Ratiu Foundation announced the launch of a new documentary programme, STEPdoc. The programme aims to improve the 'minor' status attached to documentary practice within Romanian film culture, and to reinvest documentary film with both a public function and with potential for aesthetic innovation.
STEPdoc consists of a mobility grant (worth £1,500) which will allow a Romanian film maker, at an early stage of her/his career, one month of immersion in the UK documentary culture, towards the development of a documentary project with international potential.
The grant will 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 will provide an opportunity to gain inspiration and to be immersed in the vibrant British documentary culture.
Applications for STEPdoc will consist of the following documents (in English):
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 2007 will be personally notified in writing and publicly announced at the Awards ceremony of the Astra Film Festival Sibiu (22 – 28 October 2007).
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.
DEADLINE EXTENDED! Applications for STEPdoc must reach the Ratiu Foundation offices by 1 October 2007. Please send applications by post to the following address:
Ramona Mitrica, Director
The Ratiu Foundation
8th floor, 54-62 Regent Street
London W1B 5RE, England, UK
For further inquiries, please email mail@ratiufamilyfoundation.com
Web site: www.ratiufamilyfoundation.com
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?
A programme of The Ratiu Foundation
Ion and Elisabeth Ratiu established The Ratiu Foundation in London, in 1979. The main objective of the Foundation is to promote and support projects which further education and research in the culture and history of Romania and its people.