The goal of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation film school program is to influence the next generation of filmmakers to create more realistic and dramatic stories about science and technology and to challenge existing stereotypes about scientists and engineers through the visual media. This innovative program awards prizes at six leading film schools: American Film Institute; UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television; Carnegie Mellon University School of Dram; Columbia University Film Department; NYU Tisch School of the Arts; and USC School of Cinematic Arts.
An annual award in the Kanbar Institute of Film & Television, this production award for $100,000 is given to a feature-length narrative project that portrays intellectually engaging, entertaining images of scientists/engineers, a scientific discovery, or technology.
Eligibility
- Alumni who graduated from the Kanbar Institute of Film & TV between 2003 and
January 2009
- Current thesis students in the Kanbar Graduate Film Program
- Current juniors and seniors in Kanbar Undergraduate Film & TV
Selection Process
Applicants submit a 1-page synopsis/pitch and an on-line application (under "Related Links" to the right) to the faculty committee who will read them to select up to 12 quarter-finalists. The quarter-finalists hold development meetings with the committee and based on those meetings, revise their proposals and submit 5-page treatments and budgets which the committee reads to select 3 finalists.
Each of the 3 finalists receives a $5,000 grant to write a first draft of their feature screenplay while consulting with a science/technology advisor to ensure the accuracy of their project. They submit that first draft and a budget. The recipient must go into production no later than December 1, 2010.
2009 Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Feature Film Award Time Line
March 25
- Kick-Off at 5:30pm at 721 Broadway, 9th floor
Monday, April 20
- 1-page synopsis/pitch due
Monday, May 18
- Committee selects up to 12 quarter-finalists
(UPDATE 5/18/09 - Quarter-finalist announcements are coming soon! Stay tuned!)
May 18 - June 1
- Quarter-finalists write step outlines
June 1
- Quarter-finalists submit step outline
First week of July
- Committee announces semi-finalists
- Committee holds development meetings with semi-finalists
July
- Semi-finalists write 5-page treatments, draft budgets
July 31
-Semi-finalists submit 5-page treatments and budgets
August
- Three finalists announced; each receive $5,000 to write their scripts
August - November 1
- Finalists write feature script, meet with advisors, create a budget
November 1
- Finalists submit first draft, budget
December 1
- Committee selects winner
- Winner must go into production within one year of announcement (December 1, 2010)
For more information contact:
Dara Feivelson, tel.: 212.998.1762
