European Funding & Pitching Workshop / Multi-Skilling initiative

DFG is delighted to announce a fantastic new initiative which recognizes that multi-skilling documentary filmmakers are increasingly in demand. Filmmakers can choose from a variety of short courses designed to help them bag those all-important commissions. Courses range from Directing and Interviewing to Production Management, Research and Lighting Techniques. For more information visit: www.dfgdocs.com/training
European Pitching and Funding Workshop (19 - 21 October 2007)

This is your chance to get really excited about documentaries, and learn how to navigate your way through the increasingly important maze of European funding opportunities.

The European Pitching and Funding Workshop (London, 19 - 21 October 2007) is the latest in a hugely successful series of workshops, which give participants an exceptional level of one-to-one access to European commissioners.

Led by Leena Pasanen (director of the European Documentary Network and former commissioning editor for YLE), the three day event breaks into two sessions:

Day 1 - Open Session - Sourcing European Documentary Funds

Day 2 & 3 – Developing and Pitching Your Idea

The Open Session is for all who are interested in learning more about European funding for documentaries. This day will focus on helping participants to understand the editorial and creative priorities of European Broadcasters, and looking at the main sources of finance available, including co-production, pre-sales, acquisitions and MEDIA support. Several case studies will be examined to illustrate the distinct nature of European funded documentaries, both in terms of their content, and their development and financing models.

The Pitching Workshop on Days 2 and 3 is for those who have an idea they wish to develop into a specific proposal, treatment and pitch for European broadcasters and funding bodies. Two European commissioners and a European producer will give participants one-to-one guidance on their proposals. Participants will then participate in a pitch under formal European pitching conditions. A select number of observers will be permitted.

“I expected to learn something about European industry but the wealth of knowledge that everyone shared with us was amazing. There were no boundaries, there was no secrecy, everyone wanted to develop you as a person. It was very concrete advice regarding names and contacts, people willing that we could use their names as a way in to discussing   programme ideas with people.” - Lleucu Meinir, Independent Filmmaker, attendee of the inaugural DFG/EDN European Pitching and Funding Workshop, March 2007.DFG is the leading provider of industry-focussed training in documentaries, and the national organisation working to promote talent and innovation in documentary filmmaking.
For more details see www.dfgdocs.com/Training/European_Documentary_Funding_Workshop.aspx
Call Jenny or Deborah on +44 (0) 20 7249 6600
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