Doc fund offered to Indian women

Female documentary makers in India have received a boost following the launch of a grant by The Indian Documentary Foundation (IDF).

The fund, in partnership with US-based Chicken & Egg Pictures, will support two women film directors from the country with grants to the value of US$10,000.

Chicken & Eggs Pictures, co-founded by Wendy Ettinger, Judith Helfland and Julie Parker Benello, is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting women non-fiction filmmakers.

The fund will support a variety of film projects, including hybrid and transmedia storytelling for both television and theatrical release. The stories should focus on social, environmental or political themes.

The successful filmmakers will also have a chance to attend one major North American market, where they will receive one-to-one mentoring from the Chicken & Egg team.

Applicants can be at any stage of their career, but must have samples of their work to show their artistic vision and storytelling abilities. The fund will offer a combination of cash and in-kind services, such as editing, post production and sound mixing.

The Indian Documentary Foundation will manage the first call in September and selection process in partnership with Chicken & Egg. Both organisations will make the final decision.