Filmmakers in Residence

Apply Now | Current Filmmakers-in-Residence | Alumni | Guidelines & Eligibility

Filmmakers in Residence (or "FIR") is the WGBH Lab's marquee program. Every year, the Lab hosts a small number of filmmakers and innovators from related industries such as commercial television, feature films, advertising, web or animation as they work on the production or post-production of their independently funded project. In addition to in-kind support, filmmakers are connected with some of WGBH's most talented and innovative media producers. The program is open to both up-and-coming filmmakers and veteran independents.

Production still from "Romeo"
Filmmakers in Residence resources include:

A workspace dedicated to independent filmmakers at WGBH's new home

Access to an editing room and screening facilities

Professional development opportunities in the form of screenings and workshops with WGBH staff

A modest stipend

Sound good so far? Read on.

See what other filmmakers have been producing at the Lab:

Anna Wexler

Gita Pullapilly and Aron Gaudet

Here's how to apply.

Guidelines | Eligibility | How to Apply | Residency and Legal Agreements

The WGBH Filmmakers in Residence program is a nine-month residency at WGBH offices in Boston, Massachusetts that usually takes place from September through June.

Guidelines

We will review all applications and select up to three applicants for each term of the program. Their decisions are final and not subject to appeal. Evaluation criteria may include, but are not limited to, whether the project:

explores new genres, inventive approaches to content, and/or alternative narrative voices
reflects a cost-effective production model
is appropriate for broadcast on public television, broadband, and mobile media

Eligibility

While the resources of the Filmmakers in Residence program are best suited for projects in production or post-production, we will consider applications for projects that are still in the initial phases of research and development.

The successful applicant has a body of creative work and a proven commitment to innovation. Employees of WGBH are not eligible to enter. All application materials submitted become the property of WGBH and will not be acknowledged or returned.

If you are selected for the program, you must:

certify that the completed work is original, and no other person or entity holds rights to the work
certify that the completed work has had no prior cable, network or public television broadcast in the US
comply with all independent contractor criteria of WGBH including completing all independent contractor status verification paperwork required by WGBH (e.g. Taxpayer I.D. Number for Business). Failure to do so will disqualify you from participating in the program
not become an employee of, or provide other services to WGBH during your residency
obtain a fiscal agent if WGBH deems it necessary
complete, sign and return the Filmmakers in Residence Agreement

How to Apply

Register as a user on the WGBH Lab website. You can use this username and password to access and comment on footage, and post your work to the site.

Complete and submit the online application that includes contact information, project synopsis, detailed proposal (including funding plans), a current bio, sample reel, and Submission Release Form.

(A PDF version of the submission release form is also available.)

Request a letter of recommendation from someone familiar with your work. They may attach it to the recommendation form provided. Please ask your recommender to mail us one copy of the form to the address below.

If you cannot provide direct link to your sample reel in the online application, you may mail one copy on DV, DVD, CD or VHS to the address below. Please label all media with your name and the title of your project. (See the Resources section for help on how to upload video to the web.)

Mail to:
WGBH Educational Foundation
One Guest Street
Boston, MA 02135
Attention: WGBH Lab/Filmmakers in Residence

Applicants will not be notified if incomplete applications are submitted. Please submit only the requested items. All entry materials become the property of WGBH and will not be returned or acknowledged. WGBH is not responsible for entries that are lost, damaged, mutilated or misdirected. By submitting an application, you represent and warrant that you have all necessary rights to the material submitted.

Each applicant may submit only one application per program term. If you’re working with one or more people on your project, each member of the group must submit an application.

Deadline for FIR Application is June 13th, 2008.

Residency and Legal Agreements

Up to three applicants will be selected into the Filmmaker in Residence program. The Filmmaker in Residence is provided with office space and access to editing facilities and receives administrative support, including a computer, phone, and access to meeting and screening facilities. WGBH staff are available to provide editorial guidance and support. The Filmmaker in Residence also receives a small honorarium. The honorarium is made possible by the generous support of the LEF Foundation.

The Filmmaker in Residence grants WGBH a right of first refusal on finished programs and/or program concepts for local or national broadcast or development. The Filmmaker in Residence will curate or participate in screenings and portfolio sessions with WGBH colleagues. In exchange, in the event that the Filmmaker in Residence decides to grant or assign co-production, television, home video, audiovisual and/or any other distribution rights in the program or program concept, WGBH shall have an exclusive right of first negotiation to acquire such right(s) in the program, as follows:
The Filmmaker in Residence agrees not to engage in negotiations with any third party for any co-production, television, home video, audiovisual and/or other distribution rights in the United States, before engaging in exclusive good faith negotiations with WGBH for a period of ninety (90) calendar days to acquire such additional rights in the program. If no agreement is reached between the Filmmaker and WGBH within such ninety (90) calendar day period, then the Filmmaker will have the right to enter into negotiations with any third party for such rights; provided, however, that the Filmmaker will be obligated to provide WGBH credit on the program as set forth below.
In addition, all versions of the program and all advertising, promotional, print and web materials related to the program will carry an approved WGBH credit.