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The T&T Film Company (FilmTT) is inviting applications for its 2017 Small Marketing and Development Grants.

Film TT General Manager Nneka Luke said the grants are small investments into very specific projects based on what the organization is capable of providing at this time.

In a release, FilmTT said the grants, which will range from $6,000 to $10,000, will cover partial or all expenses for trips to regional or international film festivals, markets, incubators, labs, or workshops and/or the development of marketing material to promote an existing project. The grants are not intended for film production expenditure.
The call began on March 1 and ends on March 22 at 4 pm. There will be a Q&A session at FilmTT’s office in St. James on March 14 for those with further questions.
Applications will be reviewed by members of the Film TT board and two or three independent persons. Luke said these persons will not necessarily be part of the film industry. “Sometimes it’s about looking at the applications, making sure they’re properly filled out and if the intent is clear. We may or may not use people in the industry but we will certainly use people that we are comfortable can make a clear assessment of the information.”
The call is open to people who are living in T&T, either permanent residents or citizens. Luke said it is not open to the Diaspora at this time.
The initiative is also aimed at people who have some experience in the industry, as the release specifies that applicants must have three different credits from three different film productions on their resumes. “The audience for these grants is people who have produced work, as opposed to beginners or University students. We’re looking at people who are working in the industry and are beginning to understand or do understand how the international industry works, so they’re able to use what is a small investment and really take advantage of it in terms of where it can take them.”
Luke said investments like this are important in developing the sector into a full-fledged industry. “In the past, Film TT has invested directly into the production of films, through grants, equity funding and marketing funding. As we are transitioning and re-organzing ourselves this year, we’re not able to give grant money but we still want to be able to make some sort of direct investment into film production or into film makers and the work that they are doing. We’re asking for film makers to basically come to us with a clear idea of what they want to achieve, as it’s part of professionalizing the industry and professionalizing our film makers to have a very clear end goal as to what they want to achieve. We think it’s important to encourage and facilitate film makers to think clearly through their projects, all the way to the end.
Application forms and a detailed list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found at http://www.filmtt.co.tt/opencall. For more information, email info@filmtt.co.tt and visit their website http://www.filmtt.co.tt.