The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA, or “Bureau”) announces an open competition for the FY 2021 Global Media Makers (GMM) program.
U. S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue
Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to conduct an innovative professional development program for film, television, and online episodic content creators from participating countries to enhance their creative skills.
This program, like other ECA film program models, seeks to elevate influential voices that are building resilient civil societies by using film, television, and online episodic content to address critical local issues including, but not limited to, freedom of expression, pluralism, tolerance, women’s and youth empowerment.GMM will connect approximately 12 to 18 mid-career film and television professionals ("Fellows”) from approximately six to eight countries with leading U. S. entertainment and media professionals (“Mentors”).
These Mentors will facilitate behind-the-scenes access, bolster participants’ technical skills and creative content development, and build the foundations for lasting professional networks.
This program will focus on in-development film, television, and online episodic content (“projects”) and match Fellows’ areas of interest with Mentor expertise.
Fellows will travel to the U. S. for a four-to-six week residency, which will primarily take place in Los Angeles to work on projects with Mentors and receive state-of-the-art-training and industry access to support conceptual development of independent, authentic, and compelling content for distribution in their home countries.
Following the residency, Mentors will travel to a select number of the Fellows’ home countries, when possible, for continued creative consultation and engagement.
Both Mentors and Fellows will mutually benefit from the extended creative and professional development,which will promote critical thinking and dialogue, which will lead to greater creative and entrepreneurial connections.
Additionally, GMM will support current Fellows and past alumni through professional development opportunities including, but not limited to, film festival support, micro grants, networking activities, technical and creative guidance.