Mini Commissions Program
Our calls are closed for 2023. Check back in February 2024 for our next call! ⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
$500 for Youth (ages 15-18) to make your own film!
Deadline: May 16, 2023 at 11:59pm PST
“My experience with F-O-R-M has been absolutely amazing. Hearing the words “process over product” in the orientation immediately made me relax and helped me stay centered the entire time. I loved every minute of the process; from brainstorming ideas to editing the final touches. This project empowered me as an emerging artist.”
How to apply:
Answer 3 questions by choosing one of the options below:
Option 1: Complete the application form digitally
Option 2: Submit a 5-10 min video responding to the application questions
Option 3: Participate in a short 15-minute video call, responding to the questions, with one of our team members
If you have questions, need clarification, or have other accessibility needs, please reach out to erin@f-o-r-m.ca, DM us on Instagram @formvancouver, or fill out the contact form at the bottom of this page.
About the Program
F-O-R-M invites High School Aged Youth (ages 15-18) based in what is colonially known as Canada to apply to the Mini Commissions Program. Up to ten young artists will be awarded $500 towards the creation of their own 1-2 minute short videos that will premiere on F-O-R-M’s Instagram during our 8th Annual Festival in November 2023.
From July to August, artists will participate in creative workshops, receive mentorship, and be part of peer-to-peer feedback sessions to support their filmmaking processes. No previous filmmaking experience or knowledge is required, just an interest in pursuing your creative voice!
The Mini Commissions Program is an opportunity for youth to play and experiment with movement and film. F-O-R-M has seen firsthand the power that young artists have when their creative voices are empowered. We want to bring down the barriers and provide a space where youth can discover their creative outlets in a supportive space. F-O-R-M values process over product—exploration, experimentation, and education are key principles that guide this program. Where do your ideas come from and where will they take you? How can you transform your ideas into a video? What can you learn about yourself in the process of creating art?
F-O-R-M gives free creative rein to all applicants and will have dedicated staff available to help with any technical or artistic questions that might arise throughout the creation process. Artists will have two months to complete their creations and are expected to meet specific deadlines throughout this period.
This program is led by Youth Programmer Erin Lum and supported by Sophia Wolfe and Tamar Tabori. See bios here.
🙏Thank you to our consultation committee members Babette Santos, Ella McCartney, Liam Hurley for their review and support on this application.
Selected artists will be provided with:
$500 honorarium towards the creation of a 1-2 min video
Funds will be distributed based on schedule of deliverables
Workshops about topics pertinent to film creation (ie: collaboration, DIY videos, editing, sound design), lead by emerging and professional artists in the movement-on-screen community
F-O-R-M Office Hours: dedicated time slot once a week for artists to drop-in, connect with fellow artists, and ask questions during their creation process.
A F-O-R-M team member will be present during these sessions. Artists are required to confirm their participation at least 24 hours in advance.
Peer-sharing and feedback sessions throughout August + September
Premiere of their video during 8th Annual Festival on @formvancouver Instagram
Complimentary All-Access Pass to F-O-R-M 2023 (film screenings, workshops, events)
Our 2023 festival will continue to offer a hybrid of in-person events in Vancouver and online programming. The festival will be responsive to government guidelines surrounding COVID-19. Our priority is to create events that are safe for festival artists and the broader community.
Learn more about how and why F-O-R-M came to life by visiting our About page!
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F-O-R-M presents films that investigate the body in motion through curiosity, experimentation, and imagination. We are interested in films that creatively explore our personal lived experiences and how such themes can be told through narrative or experimental approaches. Cinematography, experimental editing styles, and post-production effects are also considerations that contribute and add layers to the subject matter. We invite proposals to consider the interplay between the camera and the movement, regardless of the form.
F-O-R-M strongly encourages and prioritizes applications from Youth artists and those from traditionally marginalized communities, with consideration of intersectionality; Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, folks with disabilities, and diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, or expressions (LGBTQ2S+).
Recorded Movement is the theme—any movement or dance practices, genres, or styles are invited. We are interested in how movement can be utilized as a vehicle for expression. How do you define movement? How do you portray this definition within your practice or discipline? How does this movement collaborate with film? We invite your ideas and concepts around the theme of Recorded Movement, and to challenge this definition as you see fit!
In the past, we have programmed films that have explored:
Street Dance (Breaking, Popping, W*acking)
Walking
Surfing
Skateboarding
Badminton
Running
Contemporary dance
Calligraphy
Animation (Drawing, Stop Motion)
Clowning
See more examples of past films here or in this video: What is Recorded Movement?
We are very open to your interpretations on this theme, however, if you still have questions about how “Recorded Movement” is defined and how your ideas fit into it, please be in touch!
Explore the 2022 Mini Commissions:
Tempo by Anika
equilibrium by chanel and isabella
like a toy by crystal
‘til reality tear us apart by Valeria
eureka! by jenna
break free by liam
looks like me by sarah
interacting with water by sydney
reverie by ella
crooked by aurora
Eligibility Criteria
The Mini Commissions Program is meant specifically for high school students and/or Youth artists (aged 15-18, born 2004 or later) based in Canada. No previous filmmaking experience or knowledge is required, just an interest in pursuing your creative voice!
If you are unsure about your eligibility or want further clarification on this program’s application, don’t hesitate to contact Erin Lum at erin@f-o-r-m.ca
Timeline:
March 3: Applications Open
May 16: Deadline for Applications
May 19 & 20: Video Calls for applicants choosing Option 3 ONLY
June: Onboarding Phase
June 3: Notification of Applications
June 17: Program Orientation
June 24: Workshop 1 + Mini Commissions and Commissions Introductory Meeting
July: Workshops and Exploring Phase
July 8: Workshop 2
July 15: Workshop 3
July 22: Workshop 4
July 17 & 24: 1-on-1 Meetings w/ Erin available
July 31: Report 1 Due (bio, headshot, film idea and next steps solidified)
August: Filming and Editing Phase
Artists are on their own schedule to film and edit their projects during the month
August 19: Peer Sharing Meeting w/ Film Drafts
August 26: *TBC* Peer Sharing Meeting 2 w/ Film Drafts
September: Finalizing Phase
September 8: Final Films DUE + Sent to F-O-R-M
September 9: Internal Sharing of Films
September 16: Report 2 Due (official title, synopsis, credits, film stills delivered + debrief on program)
November 2023: Premieres of 10 Films on Instagram during 2023 Festival
***Meetings will be recorded and conducted in a hybrid format: locations of meetings (virtual or in-person) to be determined based on preferences and locations of artists.
Expectations:
Sign a letter of agreement (along with a parent or guardian) with specific delivery dates
Complete 2 reports and feedback forms
Be responsible for communication with festival coordinators throughout their process (via email or Instagram messages)
Submit their films, adhering to required formats, with synopsis and credits by deadlines
Participate in festival promotion through FORMing Conversations
Have free admission to all festival events and three complimentary passes
The funds will be disbursed: $350 after signing a letter of agreement, and the remainder after delivery of all check-in reports and final video.
Application Process
Deadline: May 16, 2023. Application forms must be submitted by 11:59pm PST.
There is no fee to apply. All applicants must agree to the rules and regulations. Applications will be internally reviewed by the F-O-R-M team: Erin Lum, Sophia Wolfe, and Tamar Tabori.
Fill out our Application Form Here which requires the following questions:
1. In your own words, tell us about yourself! (max. 300 words)
This is an open question for you and up to your interpretation how you respond. Feel free to use this space to self-identify, talk about your interests/values/dreams, share your creative pursuits, what you do and want to do, etc.
2. What draws you to the Mini Commissions Program and why are you interested in exploring the medium of filmmaking? (max. 300 words)
3. Tell us about any ideas that you have for a 1-2 minute movement-on-screen video. What skills are you interested in developing during this program? (max. 300 words)
OPTIONAL: Submitting Additional Materials
If you’d like, this is a space to submit any additional materials about yourself or your ideas to us. For example: a resume, drawing of your ideas, letter of support from a teacher, your social media, videos, writings, or photos. This optional section is another avenue for us to get to know you a bit better. Final decisions are not impacted by the depth and breadth of your portfolio.
Ways to apply:
With the goal of reducing the barriers of this application, we are accepting applications to the Mini Commissions Program in a variety of formats. These options are meant to invite different modes of communication and support your comfort level in order to get to know you and your ideas.
Option 1: Complete the following form digitally and attach a PDF document with written answers responding to the application questions.
Option 2: Submit a 5-10 min video responding to the application questions. There is no need to submit anything high quality or edited, and you are not obligated to be visible. Just make sure that we can hear you clearly and that we understand your ideas and intentions. You can attach the file, submit a Youtube or Vimeo link, or send it to our Youth Programmer Erin Lum at erin@f-o-r-m.ca.
Option 3: Participate in a short 15-minute video call, responding to the questions above, with one of our team members. This meeting will be guided as a casual conversation, recorded and shared with the F-O-R-M team. If you are interested in this option, please select a preferred time for a call through the application form. (Video interviews will be conducted May 19 and 20, 2023)
Questions?
If you have questions, need clarification, or have other accessibility needs (such as requiring ASL interpretation for your meeting or need support in submitting the file), please reach out to erin@f-o-r-m.ca, DM us on Instagram @formvancouver, or fill out the contact form below: