Docs in Progress

What it is:
Our Docs-in-Progress program began in 2005 as a way to offer the growing, diverse and vibrant documentary filmmaking community of Austin peer-level critiques of rough/fine cuts of their work. Films that have gone through the program have premiered at major film festivals like Seattle, SXSW and the Austin Film Festival.

Docs-in-Progress will typically screen a filmmaker's work followed by audience discussion and feedback (both written and verbal).

Sessions will be moderated by experienced Austin filmmakers and audience members will be expected to agree to confidentiality regarding the film and the feedback process.

Screenings are held in the evening in the Austin Studios Screening Room. Filmmakers can select up to 10 people to invite to the screening. The remaining 20 available seats are open to AFS Filmmaker-level members on an RSVP basis.

The Docs-in-Progress Steering Committee will select which documentaries will be screened.

Details:
The director / producer must be a current AFS member at the Filmmaker level ($50/year) or above.

Submitted rough cuts should have a running time between 40 and 120 minutes.

Filmmakers should send in their applications as early in the editing process as possible, as it can take up to 1 month for the review process and scheduling process to yield a screening date.

Filmmakers may submit their film for consideration a maximum of 2 times.

1. 2 VHS or DVD copies of the film (40-120 minute running time).
2. Contact information, including: Name, mailing address, phone, e-mail.
3. A short synopsis of the film (1 paragraph maximum, should read like a festival program).
4. Description of video submitted. Detail any technical problems the committee should be aware of for review.
5. Notes on what kind of feedback you'd like to receive.
6. Project Personnel (1 page maximum). This should include a short bio for the Director/Producer, as well as brief bios of the key creative personnel on the project.
7. Timeline for the project, covering pre-production through distribution (1 page maximum).
8. SASE if you want your materials returned.

Please note: projects will not be considered unless the Producer / Director is an AFS Filmmaker-level (or higher) member. If you would like to submit your film for consideration in the series, and do not qualify at the member level, please also enclose a $50 check made payable to Austin Film Society or join online.

• Austin Film Society
• ATTN: Docs-in-Progress
• 1901 E. 51st
• Austin, TX 78723

What happens next:
We will not be able to publicly screen all submitted films. Once we receive submitted materials, the information is forwarded to members of our Screening Committee. They review the materials and will do one of two things: recommend the film for a public feedback screening session; or return the materials to the filmmaker with written comments.

If selected for a public screening, the filmmaker will be matched up with a moderator who will coordinate the audience feedback session. AFS staff will work with the filmmaker to schedule the event and technical details.

The night of the event we recommend the filmmaker have an associate keep notes on the moderated discussion following the screening. The entire event will run a maximum of 3 hours.

Docs-in-Progress Steering Committee Members:

Bryan Poyser, co-chair
Diane Zander-Mason, co-chair
Karen Bernstein
Margaret Brown
Heather Courtney
Christine Felton
John Fiege
Marcy Garriott
Amy Grappell
Joel Heller
Anne S. Lewis
Leah Marino
Susanne Mason
Lisa McWilliams
Janet Pierson
Joanna Rabiger
PJ Raval
Nancy Schiesari
Elisabeth Sikes
Agnes Varnum

Any questions?
Contact Director of Artist Services Bryan Poyser at bryan@austinfilm.org or 512 322 0145.