APPLICATIONS

 APPLICATIONS SUBMISSION FOR THE 2024-2025 COHORT IS CLOSED    

 

Thank you all the applicants. We have received more than 85 applications for 2024-2025 cohort. Selected projects will be announced in mid September. Next call for the applications will be announced in May 2025.

 

Close Up is an international independent NGO based in Brussels, Belgium that provides annual training, development, and mentorship for documentary filmmakers. 

 

Eligibility 

 

Close Up invites filmmakers from the following countries to apply:

 

  • Afghanistan
  • Algeria
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Egypt
  • Georgia
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Kuwait
  • Lebanon
  • Libya
  • Morocco
  • Oman
  • Palestine
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Yemen

 

The Close Up program consists of three intensive and collaborative workshops over the course of eight months, along with individualized work and assignments in between.

 

Filmmakers work very closely in groups and one-on-one with Close Up mentors, professionals at the top of the documentary industry: ​​John Appel, Bruni Burres, Gitte Hansen and Nino Kirtadze. They will also workshop with editing consultants and other special experts.

 

The third workshop includes a pitching forum where prestigious awards, residencies, and grants are received by Close Up filmmakers. Decision makers present at past pitching forums come from Sundance Film Institute,  IDFA, Catapult Film Fund, The Whickers, IDA, IEFTA, The Guardian, FIPADOC, Chicken & Egg Pictures, Blue Ice Docs, Docs Up Fund, ARTE, BBC StoryVille, France TV, 2M Morocco TV, SWR Germany, MEDIMED Film Market, Jacob Burns Film Center NY, Movies That Matter,  Silver Sun Foundation, , and more.

 

The dates (subject to change) are as follows:

  • First Workshop: December 2024
  • Second Workshop: March 2025
  • Third Workshop and Pitching Forum: June 2025

 

Selected filmmakers will be awarded a complete grant covering tuition fee, flight ticket(s), accommodation, and meals during the workshops.

 

Do not miss this exceptional opportunity! We look forward to reviewing your work!

For questions, please contact: info@closeupinitiative.org.

REQUIREMENTS

FILMMAKERS FROM THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY:

Afghanistan • Algeria • Armenia • Azerbaijan • Bahrain • Egypt • Georgia • Iran • Iraq • Israel • Jordan • Kuwait • Lebanon • Libya • Morocco • Oman • Palestine • Qatar • Saudi Arabia • Sudan • Syria • Tunisia  • Turkey • UAE • Yemen

  • Workshops and tutorial sessions will be held in English, so the participants must be able to communicate in this language.
  • Participants will have to participate in a full series of three week-long workshops within 9 months. Workshops will be taking place in the months of December, March and June.
  • The project submitted may be in a stage of development, pre-production or production.
  • Submitted projects must have an international relevancy.
  • Eligible are filmmakers at early to mid career, who have made at least one short film.
  • Applicant may act as a director or producer of a project.
  • The selected filmmakers should be ready to collaborate during the program with an international co-producer.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Selected filmmakers will be awarded a complete grant covering tuition fee, flight ticket(s), accommodation, and meals during the workshops.

Filmmakers work very closely in groups and one-on-one with Close Up mentors, professionals at the top of the documentary industry: ​​John Appel, Bruni Burres, Gitte Hansen and Nino Kirtadze. They will also receive workshops from editing consultants and other special industry experts.

Our annual program consists of three week-long workshops each year in December, March, and June, along with individualized work and assignments in between. We train and support documentary filmmakers to develop a full co-production package, including a trailer, which is presented at our final workshop in the framework of a pitching forum. 

Prestigious awards, cash prizes and residencies are awarded to Close Up filmmakers at our pitching forum by leaders in the documentary industry. Decision makers present at past pitching forums come from IDFA, Sundance Institute, The Guardian, SWR, ARTE France, MDR Germany, FIPADOC, Chicken & Egg Pictures, The Guardian, Catapult Film Fund, Silver Sun Foundation, Blue Ice Docs, Docs Up Fund, 2M Morocco TV, MEDIMED Film Market, Jacob Burns Film Center, Movies That Matter, and more. You can find more information on the previous guests at our Pitching Forum here.

Written & Visual proposal requirements:

  • Synopsis (max 2 page)
  • Director’s Statement (1 page)
  • Narrative Structure & Visual Approach (if applicable / max 3 pages)
  • Project Status
  • Short Bio Director
  • Short Bio Producer/Co-Producer (if applicable)
  • Top-Sheet Budget & Financial Plan in EUR or USD
  • 3 still images that represent the project
  • Online streaming link to a previous cinematic work
  • Online streaming link to visual materials of the submitted project – a teaser/scenes/footage
  • Online streaming link of 3-4 minutes self-presentation video describing your connection to the film and motivation to take part in Close-Up program

APPLICATION FORM

PLEASE NOTE:

Applications must be submitted in English
For additional information contact us at:   info@closeupinitiative.org

PROJECT TITLE

DIRECTOR

PRODUCER