JIFF to fund two Jewish short films
The Jewish International Film Festival has announced the return of its Short Film Fund in 2020.
Liliya May aa Lilya Brik – “I WANT TO MAKE A FILM ABOUT WOMEN”
Successfully launched in 2017, the Fund was established to provide funding to Australian filmmakers for the completion of a Jewish-themed short film (narrative, documentary or animation).
In 2019, the Fund was awarded to local filmmakers Karen Pearlman and Joel Kohn, whose films I want to make a film about women and The Mirror had their World Premiere screenings at JIFF 2019. 2017 winner, Still Alive (dir. Anita Lester), has gone on to great international success, with screenings at film festivals around the world, and a recent licensing by Yad Vashem to screen as a part of their digital exhibition.
“Your visionary work in creating and sustaining JIFF, and in offering the Short Film Fund award is hugely significant. Making a film, even a short one, is hard. But getting it seen, and embraced is, in some ways even harder! You have, in giving us those two beautiful cinema launches, created a home, a trajectory, and a series of possibilities for our labour of love. This warm embrace of our unusual short film means the world to us. Thank you is not enough, but it is sent with sincerity and great affection!” — I want to make a film about women director Karen Pearlman
In 2020, a total grant pool of $10,000 is available for the production of two short films (narrative, animation or documentary) incorporating a Jewish theme, character or story arc. We are seeking treatments and scripts for films under 10 minutes that are universally engaging and entertaining, and able to resonate with audiences from all backgrounds.
“We are excited for JIFF to continue to be a catalyst for the production of great Australian short films to be shared on the big screen, providing a launching pad for their international recognition.” — JIFF artistic director Eddie Tamir
Building on a 30-year history of Jewish film festivals in Australia, JIFF has established itself at the forefront of the world’s biggest and most successful Jewish film festivals. Cementing its reputation for delivering international cinema of supreme quality, the festival is proud to showcase a diverse and world-class slate of film and event programming: from award-winning documentaries and dramas, to comedies and short films. Screening across 8 locations in 5 cities with audiences of over 55,000, JIFF provides an outstanding national exposure to a diverse and engaged audience.
This year, the festival looks forward to continuing its support of Australian filmmakers with its Short Film Fund: a monetary funding initiative that aims to create opportunities for emerging filmmakers in Australia, and to encourage and support the production and exhibition of short films on themes that engage with Jewish life, history and culture. JIFF is committed to supporting and championing local filmmakers, and stories reflecting the global Jewish experience.
The festival is seeking projects to a maximum length of 10 minutes and is open to all filmmakers who are Australian residents.
Applications for the 2020 Fund are now open on the JIFF website, and close on 1 April 2020. The allocation of funding will be announced in mid-May 2020, and will be determined by a panel of experienced industry judges. We expect the films to be ready for exhibition at JIFF 2020, with final delivery required by early October 2020.
