The International Academic Forum (IAFOR), in conjunction with The Asian Conference on Media and Mass Communication (MediAsia2014) and The Asian Conference on Film & Documentary (FilmAsia2014), is pleased to announce the launch of the IAFOR Documentary Film Award.
The IAFOR Documentary Film Award is a global competition celebrating the best in documentary filmmaking. Documentary has a rich history of exposing truths, telling stories, raising awareness and creating discussion — all practices valued at IAFOR.
“It is important to view documentaries, critique them, and understand the power they can wield – to even change public and government policy,” says Gary E. Swanson, Founding Judge and three-time Emmy Award winning Producer and Editor for NBC Network. “To celebrate documentary is to reward the efforts of all documentarians who have a vision and dedicate their time and resources to tell their meaningful stories.”
IAFOR welcomes submissions drawing on compelling subject matter from a range of topics. This is an open competition, welcoming storytelling from both amateurs and seasoned professionals from around the world.
“Documentary has a long and distinguished history,” says James Rowlins, Judge and Lecturer at the Singapore University of Technology and Design. “But far from being past its peak, the mode is fast becoming, thanks to digital technology and online platforms, the prime means by which we inform ourselves about the wider world. Our challenge is to single out outstanding entries that tell stories in an authentic, stimulating, and engaging manner.”
Winning entries will be awarded a mentorship session with an industry professional and admission to an upcoming IAFOR Film or Media Conference in Asia, Europe, or North America – a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the craft and to network. One Grand Prize Winner will receive a cash prize of $1,000 USD.
“The awards will bring much-needed publicity to promising filmmakers, and the prize money can help with future filmmaking projects,” says Rowlins.
Award winners will be announced at IAFOR’s FilmAsia 2014 and MediAsia 2014 conference, being held November 13th to 16th, 2014, in Osaka, Japan.
Submissions will be accepted until October 1, 2014, Japan Standard Time.
