International Documentary Challenge

by Kat Touschner

The International Documentary Challenge returns to Hot Docs in 2011! Now in it’s 6th year, The International Documentary Challenge returns to the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival in Toronto. This year's challenge takes place March 3-7, 2011 with registration now open. Hot Docs dates are April 28 - May 08, 2011.

The Doc Challenge is a timed filmmaking competition where filmmakers have 5 days to make a short non-fiction film (4-7 minutes.) All of the registered participants make their films during the same time period (March 3-7, 2011) and are required send off the film by the deadline.

Filmmakers are assigned a theme (past themes include Dreams/Nightmares, Change) and must choose between 2 assigned documentary genres (such as Character Study, Music, 1st Person, etc.) These two requirements provide a challenge to filmmakers, as it will shape the content and direction their film takes.
The top 12 films, determined by a panel of judges, premiere at Hot Docs where the Winners are announced. Three major awards (with cash prizes) will be presented: The American Documentary/P.O.V. Award, The Documentary Educational Resources (DER) Award and the Best Film Award (presented by the Documentary Channel.) Additionally, viewers may screen the films and vote for an Audience Award winner on the Doc Challenge website. After the premiere, there are additional theatrical screenings in major cities, national television exposure and a DVD release of the best films.

This year, Doc Challenge's newest Presenting Partner, The Documentary Channel, will present the Best Film award and select many of the finalists for National US Broadcast! (9 films from 2010 were selected for national broadcast on the Documentary Channel)


Check out the Doc Challenge website where you can learn more about the event, view films and hear directly from past participants about their exhilarating experiences:

http://www.docchallenge.org/

IMPORTANT DATES:
Registration opens on January 3, 2011
Early Registration Deadline: February 1, 2011
Final Registration Deadline: March 2, 2011
Doc Challenge: March 3-7, 2011

Space is limited - only the first 300 teams to register will be accepted.

Complete details and entry forms can be found at www.docchallenge.org

The Doc Challenge is produced by Doug Whyte and Kat Touschner of KDHX Community Media.
www.kdhx.org

The 2011 Presenting Partners include Hot Docs, The Documentary Channel, American Documentary/P.O.V., Documentary Educational Resources and Typecast Releasing. Supporting partners include the International Documentary Association, the Documentary Organization of Canada, DocuMentors, the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, Dokufest, Docs In Progress and the 48 Hour Film Project.

The International Documentary Challenge.
Real Life. Filmed Real Fast.