Deadline: 13-Dec-22

The Global Short Docs Forum (GSDF) is open to submissions from all over the world, for documentary projects of up to 30 minutes, in production or post-production, with existing footage. 16 filmmakers will be selected to take part in a series of online workshops, mentoring and individual presentations.

GSDF 2023 will have a special focus on solution-orientated stories about people who are responding to social problems, with experiences they can learn from. They will dedicate 50% of the Forum's spaces to these stories - stories that show us what works and what doesn't, with evidence and context.

To help filmmakers develop their projects and encourage a solutions approach, they will open their Call for Applications with worldwide workshops. GSDF Labs is a 3-day series of free events on short documentary narratives, screenings and one-to-one consultations, online and around the world.

The Global Short Docs Forum is an event dedicated to bridging the gap between the growing number of online media platforms looking for short documentary films and short film makers:

• Dedicated to short films: Pitching and development forum entirely dedicated to short documentaries: GSDF is the first of its kind.
• New and diverse voicesNew and unique narratives that offer original perspectives on the dominant digital platforms.
• Meet the doormenCurated workshops, field training and networking opportunities between experts and manufacturers.
• Market access: Access for many filmmakers to the growing market of online platforms in search of untold stories.
• Positive storytellingThey have a special interest in stories that have a social, political or cultural narrative, adopt a solutions journalism approach or give us a new perspective on the changes they want to see in the world.

Why Solutions?

• For the next edition, they will dedicate half of the Forum's spaces to stories of people solving social problems. Stories that show us what works and what doesn't, with evidence and context.
• They are focusing on solutions journalism because they recognise that stories from the global south can be dominated by war, conflict, crime, corruption and poverty. Solutions journalism provides a framework for changing this narrative by focusing on what is being done to respond to the problem, rather than repeating what the problems are. This is an important approach especially in the areas of health, education, climate, science and technology, where sharing information and ideas can have a tangible impact.

What's new?

• They will pioneer solution-focused film production training efforts in the global south, partnering with key players in the field and developing specialised training with regional centres.
• Solutions journalism tends to be more common in print and digital media and geographically in the US and Europe. There is growing awareness and training in many parts of the global south. However, there are far fewer examples in the short documentary format and no dedicated training for filmmakers from the global south. They will build on existing knowledge of solutions-orientated media, but will fill a significant gap for filmmakers, especially in the global south.
• They are collaborating with Solutions Journalism Network, Transitions, Egab and Inkline, among others, to promote existing efforts and reach more people.

Eligibility criteria

• The GSDF is open to proposals from anyone, anywhere in the world. Their focus is on films that have a social, political or cultural narrative, take a solutions journalism approach or give us a fresh perspective on the changes they want to see in the world. they prioritise filmmakers from areas with low production capacity or little global visibility, as well as under-represented filmmakers in established media production geographies.
• They are especially looking for stories from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, the Middle East, Russia or the post-Soviet states.

For more information, visit https://oneworldmedia.org.uk/global-short-docs/how-to-apply/