A challenge to accelerate Native American filmmakers' careers

The mission of this film challenge is to advance the careers of emerging and established Native American filmmakers. Native American, Hawaiian Pacific Islanders and First Nations of Canada filmmakers are invited to submit their short documentaries, 7 minutes and under, to AudPop's Native American Doc Challenge.

AudPop announces the eight finalists in the Native American Documentary Challange. 

The eight finalists in this year's Native American Documentary Challenge are: Florence Pelletier, QAMANIQ; Jack Kohler, Hinowu Hand Games; Anthony Florez, Generations; JJ Neepin, Headdress; Erin Lau, Ka Pua; Deidra Peaches, Protect; Michael Redhouse, Turquoise; and Derrick Lamere, United By Water. 

The Native American Documentary Challenge's jury panel is championed by Native American filmmaker and actor, Forrest Goodluck best know for appearing in the award-winning epic, The Revenant; First Nations Of Canada film and television actress, Kawennahere Devery Jacobs who debuted in the leading role in the award-winning feature film, Rhymes for Young Ghouls; and Native American filmmaker, Shaandin Tome, alumna of the 2016 Sundance Full Circle Fellowship.

Championed by Native American filmmaker and actor, Forrest Goodluck, an industry jury will judge the films and up to 8 film festival-worthy films will screen at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in February 2018 and the Vision Maker Film Festival in April 2018. The showcase of the top eight films will also screen at AudFest in LA in the Spring. The jury award for best film will be announced following the premiere at BSDFF. Filmmakers receive one All-Access pass to BSDFF including all screenings, DocShop sessions, and special events, and one All-Access pass to AudFest including all screenings, special events, and labs. Winning filmmakers also receive one All-Access pass to Vision Maker Film Festival. 

More info: From the finalist films, the jury will select the best documentary and award $1000 and 1 FilmStro soundtrack license for movies with up to a $1M budget worth $2,000. Audience Awards voting will run April 4-10, 2018. The most voted film wins $500 and 1 FilmStro soundtrack license for movies with up to a $1M budget worth $2,000. We are currently gathering additional prizes, sponsors, mentors and distribution outlets for the top films.

ABOUT AUDPOP: AudPop provides filmmakers the opportunity to change the world through stories, win prizes and build an audience. Films are judged by the audience as well as industry professionals. Previous jurors represent Vice, YouTube, Variety, Sundance and the list goes on. We are committed to providing a stage for diverse, emerging talent and their creative work. Our platform is dedicated to celebrating the power of storytelling and building an audience. Created by filmmakers, for filmmakers, AudPopoffers an invaluable platform for exposure. Our filmmakers don't just gain exposure - like press and social media engagement - but also opportunities to accelerate their careers. Learn More:  https://audpop.com/filmmakers

ABOUT BIG SKY DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL: The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival is the premier venue for non-fiction film in the American West. Big Sky offers an ideal setting for filmmakers to premiere new work and develop lasting relationships with fellow filmmakers and industry. The festival draws an audience of 20,000 and film entries from every corner of the globe to a uniquely intimate mountain town setting with a local Montana flavor. Learn more: http://www.bigskyfilmfest.org/festival/about/

ABOUT VISION MAKER FILM FESTIVAL: The biennial Vision Maker Film Festival is set for April 20-26, 2018. Both documentary and narrative films will highlight the festival. Learn more: https://filmfestival.visionmakermedia.org/

ABOUT AUDFEST: Your days at AudFest will be filled with invaluable industry panels and workshops, your nights filled with screenings, networking parties and awards ceremonies. AudFest is the capstone of 365 days full of stellar filmmaking and an opportunity for us to provide opportunity and exposure to our filmmaker family. We play with cameras, gear, learn from industry experts, get mentored by industry execs. We award three pioneer filmmakers and screen your amazing films. Everyone who submits to this festival receives a pass to attend AudFest! Learn more here: https://theaudienceawards.com/audfest

Please use the Discussion tab for any questions you may have.

SUBMISSIONS DUE BY

Submissions Closed

FINAL ROUND VOTING OPENS

Apr 10, 2018 at 12:00pm MDT (America/Denver)

FINAL ROUND VOTING CLOSES

Apr 17, 2018 at 12:00pm MDT (America/Denver)

PRIZE DESCRIPTION

PRIZES: The top jury selected film wins $1000 and 1 FilmStro soundtrack license for movies with up to a $1M budget worth $2,000. The most voted film wins $500 and 1 FilmStro soundtrack license for movies with up to a $1M budget worth $2,000.

FINAL ROUND PRIZE DESCRIPTION

PRIZES: The top jury selected film wins $1000 and 1 FilmStro soundtrack license for movies with up to a $1M budget worth $2,000. The most voted film wins $500 and 1 FilmStro soundtrack license for movies with up to a $1M budget worth $2,000.

FINAL TEAM AWARDS

NADC Finalist : $1,000 and 1 FilmStro soundtrack license for movies with up to a $1M budget worth $2,000

FINAL AudPop

1st Place Audience Award: $500 and 1 FilmStro soundtrack license for movies with up to a $1M budget worth $2,000