Doc Memo is POV’s daily newsletter featuring recent news for the filmmaking community, whether you’re a filmmaker, film student or an avid watcher of documentaries.
Inspired by “independent YouTubers,” wary of cable, Vox.com takes its explainer mission to video
When Vox first started creating videos, they realized the power of stand-alone videos on platforms like Facebook and YouTube. EIC Ezra Klein says every video is a chance to monetize on the following of already existing platforms. From a one-person staff to a full video team, Vox is expanding its video portfolio with a new political series as well as a culture and international documentary series in the works, and hopes to utilize Facebook Live in the near future.
Read more: Nieman Lab
America ReFramed tackles diverse and difficult subjects, including Islamophobia
America ReFramed is bringing the hot-button issues of our time to the forefront with its recent series on what it really means to be Muslim in America. The three films curated for the series are American Arab, The Mosque in Morgantown and Adama. With the 2016 election year fast approaching, the films are bound to stir up conversation about the overlooked issues of Islamophobia and religious and ethnic intolerance.
Read more: Television Academy
‘Here Alone’, ‘The Return’ Nab 2016 Tribeca Audience Awards
POV filmmakers won big at the Tribeca Film Festival, which concluded yesterday. Kelly Duane de la Vega and Katie Galloway took home the Documentary Award for “The Return” at the 15th annual Tribeca Audience Awards. The documentary follows two felons readjusting to society after the repeal of California’s three-strike law. “The Return” will be airing next month as part of POV’s 29th season.
Read more: Tribeca Film Festival
Ken Burns’ 6-part-series on National Parks on PBS
Earth Day may have passed, but did you know it’s the 100th anniversary of the National Parks service this year? In honor of its centennial year, PBS will be rebroadcasting Ken Burns’ 2009 six-part documentary, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” Monday through Saturday. As the winner of two Emmy awards, this documentary focuses on the struggle and conflict to preserve the national treasures for everyone.
Read more: PBS
Beyonce releases visual album “Lemonade”, collaboration with filmmakers
Beyonce released a new album yesterday, and HBO aired the hour-long “visual album” immediately following the release. “Lemonade” is Beyonce’s third HBO special, after 2013’s “Life Is but a Dream” and 2014’s “On the Run.” Mainly shot in and around New Orleans, the 7 directors create a cinematic experience featuring Serena Williams, the mothers of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, and more.
Read more: IndieWire
State of the Gadget Union
Technology is all around us, from our smartphones to the wearables at film festivals. The Verge takes an interactive look at the current devices available in the market, and where technological advances are headed past 2016.
Read more: The Verge
Upcoming festivals and deadlines
This Week
- Documentamadrid 4/27-5/8
- Hot Docs Festival 4/28-5/8
Next Week
- DOK.fest-International Documentary Film Festival Munich 5/5-5/15
- Taiwan International Documentary Festival 5/6-5/15
- Deadline: International Film Festival Amsterdam 5/1
- Deadline: ITVS Digital Open Call 5/2
- Deadline: National Science Foundation: Antarctic Artists and Writers Program Proposal 5/1
- Rolling: ITVS LINCS Fund 5/1
- Rolling: Center for Independent Documentary Collaboration Application 5/1
- Rolling: Ford Foundation Grants 5/1
- Rolling: ITVS Commissioned Funding 5/1
- Rolling: Jerome: NYC Film and Video Grant Program 5/1
- Rolling: The Bertha BRITDOC Documentary Journalism Fund 5/1
- Rolling: The Humane Society’s Ace Documentary Film Grant 5/1
- Rolling: The Scottish Documentary Institute Consultancies 5/1
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