NOFO: Film Makers Capacity Building Workshops and Festival (Sri Lanka)

This program will build the skills, knowledge, and capacities of new voices and emerging filmmakers in all areas of Sri Lanka, with an eye to supporting story telling around issues of gender, inclusion, and gender-based violence. In addition to providing training and support for young filmmakers, the event will culminate in a film-sharing festival, most likely held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to highlight the filmmakers and their messages.

Short films have a remarkable ability to amplify the voices of young people and provide them with a platform to express their perspectives. However, many aspiring filmmakers in Sri Lanka do not have opportunities to learn proper filmmaking skills or feel encouraged to use their voices to explore concerns and issues that matter in their communities. In addition, the existing film industry in Sri Lanka is predominantly male and urban. Through this series of capacity-building programs, workshops, and mentoring, they will empower young filmmakers, specifically including women, between the ages of 18 – 35 to create quality short films highlighting topics related to gender, such as women empowerment or gender-based violence.

The program will culminate in a dedicated showcase for the films with a “red carpet-style” event, in which the films are screened and awards are presented in several categories. The films will also be screened at the American Spaces in Sri Lanka and be available online, extending the reach of these important messages.

Project Goal

• Improving the skills and capacities of young Sri Lankans to use their voices and skills to create short films that explore or address topical concerns.

Project Objectives

• Objective 1: At least 200 program participants will increase their filmmaking skills by participating in a series of capacity-building programs, workshops, and mentoring events.
• Objective 2: Either alone or in groups, at least 50% of program participants will create one or more high-quality short films (3 – 5 minutes) on a topic related to gender, inclusion, or genderbased violence, which will be submitted for the programs film festival.
• Objective 3: A finale event will include a red-carpet style film screening, welcoming program participants, other filmmakers, and community members drawn to the film’s subject matter, in which films are screened and young filmmakers and their messages are celebrated.
• Objective 4: Following the film festival, the films will be screened for a wider public audience, including at American Spaces and online, to raise awareness around gender issues.

Funding Information

• Total available funding: $55,000
• Award Ceiling: $55,000
• Award Floor: $25,000
• Length of performance period: 12 to 18 months
• Number of awards anticipated: 1 award

Project Audience 

• Young Sri Lankans, at least 30% of whom are female, ages 18 to 35, interested in learning or developing their skill with filmmaking. Participants would be from all over Sri Lanka with special attention to ensure the inclusion of ethnic, linguistic, religious, geographic diversities, as well as persons with disabilities.
• The secondary audience would be the cross-section of Sri Lankans who view the films, either at the red-carpet event, smaller screenings at American Corners or other public events, or online.

Eligibility Criteria

• The following organizations are eligible to apply:
  • Not-for-profit organizations
  • Civil society/non-governmental organizations
  • Think tanks
• Public and private educational institutions For-profit entities, even those that may fall into the categories listed, are not eligible to apply for this NOFO. Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award.
• In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number.

Ineligible

• This opportunity will not support:
  • Projects relating to partisan political activity;
  • Charitable or development activities;
  • Construction projects;
  • Projects that support specific religious activities;
  • Fund-raising campaigns;
  • Lobbying for specific legislation or programs;
  • Scientific research or surveys;
  • Commercial projects;
  • Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization;
  • Projects that duplicate existing projects; or
  • Illegal activities

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka.