Current News + Events
SDF Fundraising Campaign
Dear Friends,Did you know that over the past nine years the Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) has facilitated the production, promotion, and distribution of over 100 independent media projects? It's true! Many of these documentaries, made in or about the American South, have broadcast nationally and screened around the world. One SDF sponsored film, The Loving Story, was recently shortlisted for an Academy Award!
SDF offers critical support and guidance when one most needs it. This organization has become an essential catalyst to the creative work taking place in our community.-Nancy Buirski, Director/Producer, The Loving Story
These projects have an enormous impact, and here's why: documentary artists have the power to inspire audiences around vital issues -- social justice, the environment, education, history, and the arts. Here in North Carolina and across the South, SDF has become a dynamic partner with veteran and emerging documentary filmmakers and artists doing this critical work.
But we need your help.
Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to the Southern Documentary Fund, to help us link documentary artists with resources and audiences, regionally and nationally.
And here's some exciting news: your support will go even further now -- a long time SDF supporter has stepped forward, offering a $10,000 challenge gift to our year-end campaign. This generous offer will be matched on a 1:1 basis for all gifts made before February 1, 2012.
Please help us take advantage of this amazing opportunity for SDF!
As we approach our 10th anniversary in 2012, expect to hear more great things about what's cooking at the Southern Documentary Fund. We remain as committed as ever to growing this community of Southern storytellers, and with your help, can continue nurturing their work.
Thank you for supporting independent media,
Rachel Raney, Executive Director
And the SDF Board
Two Ways To Donate:
Send a check made payable to Southern Documentary Fund:
762 Ninth St. #574
Durham, NC 27705
Donate via credit card or PayPal account:
The Southern Documentary Fund is a 501(c)(3). All donations are tax-deductible.
Call for submissions: In-the-Works Session at Full Frame Documentary Film Festival 2012
The Southern Documentary Fund is proud to announce that we will again be collaborating with Full Frame in programming the In-the-Works Session at the 2012 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham, NC. The festival takes place from April 12-15, and the In-the-Works Session will take place on Sunday, April 15th.
The In-the-Works Session offers an unusual opportunity for professionals and non-professionals to view documentaries at various stages of production and participate in the critique process. The audience is encouraged to give constructive feedback about the structure, content, characters and clarity of the film in a post-screening discussion that will be facilitated by a moderator.
Submissions must comply with the following guidelines:Must be made by North Carolina filmmakers or filmmakers in the Southeast
Must be in the final stages of completion
Must be a documentary
Filmmakers must be present at the screening
What do we mean by "In-the-Works?" We are NOT looking for rough string-ups, audio gaps, incoherent stories, etc. Your submission doesn't need to be mixed and color corrected but should feel like a film with a story. We should be able to have a really good idea of where your film is going. There are no length requirements but we tend to screen features. In other words, submit your best cut! Be prepared for criticism that will be constructive but may feel harsh; the ultimate goal is to help you make the best film possible.
We'll select 1-2 projects to feature, and may screen only a portion of the works. For consideration, please submit your project to The Southern Documentary Fund no later than Feb. 15th 2012.Send 2 DVD copies of the film, contact information and a short description of the work. If your film is selected we will ask for additional information. You can also submit your work on Vimeo. Be sure to send us password information.
Send submission to:
Southern Documentary Fund
Attn: Jenn Cromling
762 Ninth St. # 574
Durham, NC 27705
Phone: 919.308.3714
Email: info@southerndocumentaryfund.org
Work-in-progress screening of MONSIEUR CONTRASTE
The Southern Documentary Fund invites you to a work-in-progress screening of MONSIEUR CONTRASTE, a film by Rodrigo Dorfman.
Tuesday, November 8th at 7pm
The Auditorium @ Duke's Center for Documentary Studies
1317 W. Pettigrew Street, Durham NC
Space is limited so if you plan to join us please RSVP by sending an email to: info@southerndocumentaryfund.org
Coffee and Conversation with Filmmaker Laurens Grant
SDF is hosting a reception for documentary filmmaker Laurens Grant on Thursday, October 20, at Beyu Caffe in downtown Durham, 9:30am - 11am. Laurens recently produced the Emmy Award winning film 'Freedom Riders' with Stanley Nelson. The film will be screening Thursday evening at the Varsity Theater in Chapel Hill, but come in the morning for some coffee and conversation with this talented filmmaker. There will be no formal program, just come ready to talk about your projects.