A Catapult Film Fund & True/False Film Fest Collaboration
At the height of summer, when filmmakers are buried in the edit suite, our Rough Cut Retreat offers a one-of-a-kind, immersive mentorship experience. Launched in 2016 by Catapult Film Fund & the True/False Film Fest, RCR unites nonfiction filmmakers and mentors in a creative, supportive, and engaged atmosphere. Rough Cut Retreat seeks work that displays ambitious, idiosyncratic approaches to nonfiction storytelling – and prioritizes filmmakers who lack strong feedback networks. Chosen mentors represent a variety of nonfiction film professionals who embody creativity and generosity of spirit.
Eligibility
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Nonfiction Feature film projects that will be in the rough cut stage by Summer of 2024.
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First or second time feature filmmakers with limited feedback networks. See frequently asked questions HERE
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Filmmaker(s) must be available to attend in person.
Timeline & Specifics
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Five feature films will be chosen to participate, and up to two members from each filmmaking team will be invited to attend.
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Five mentors, in addition to Catapult & True/False hosts, will be present at the event. Domestic travel, lodging and food will be booked and covered for filmmaking teams, a partial travel stipend will be made available to teams traveling internationally.
Submissions Information
- We are not accepting applications for Rough Cut Retreat at this time. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter for upcoming deadlines.
Location: Whispertree in Boonville, California. // July 21-25
Director Ramona Diaz (And So It Begins), editor Amy Foote (All the Beauty and the Bloodshed), director Peter Nicks (Homeroom), editor David Teague (Frida), and film executive Noland Walker (ITVS)
Location: Shire in the Woods in McGrath, Minnesota // July 23-27
Director Steven Bognar (American Factory), editor Fiona Otway (Iraq in Fragments), director Yoruba Richen (The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks), editor David Teague (Life, Animated), and director Stephanie Wang-Breal (Blowin’ Up)
Location: Carey Institute for Global Good, Rensselaerville, NY / July 23 – 28.
Mentors: Director Rita Baghdadi (Sirens, My Country No More), Editor Carla Gutierrez (RBG, Pray Away), Film Exec Simon Kilmurry (POV, IDA), Editor David Teague (Life Animated, Cutie and the Boxer), Editor/Producer/ Director Lynn True (Summer Pasture, In Transit)
Location: Bell Valley Retreat, CA / August 1 – 5
Mentors: editor Nels Bangerter (Cameraperson, Dick Johnson is Dead), film exec Jihan Robinson (Casting JonBenet, A Thousand Cuts), editor David Teague (Cutie and the Boxer, Life Animated), director/editor Malika Zouhali-Worrall (Call Me Kuchu, Through the Night), and producer/Catapult Film Fund co-founder Lisa Kleiner Chanoff (Art and Craft, Watchers of the Sky).
Virtual Retreat / July 25 – 31
Mentors: Don Bernier (editor: Athlete A, Always in Season), Bonni Cohen (producer/director: Athlete A, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, Audrie & Daisy), Omar Mullick (director/cinematographer: These Birds Walk), Rahdi Taylor (producer: Time), David Teague (editor: Cutie and the Boxer, Freeheld, Spaceship Earth)
Carey Institute for Global Good, Rensselaerville, NY / August 4 – 8.
Mentors: Bonni Cohen(producer/director: Athlete A, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, Audrie & Daisy) Toby Shimin (editor: Buck, How to Dance in Ohio, Ernie & Joe), David Teague (editor/producer Life Animated, Cutie and the Boxer, Freeheld, Knock Down the House), Jean Tsien (editor/producer: *Scottsboro: An American Tragedy, Malcolm X: Make It Plain, Travis, Solar Mamas; Something Within Me, Dixie Chicks: Shut Up & Sing, and Miss Sharon Jones!*)
Location: Carey Institute for Global Good, Rensselaerville, NY / July 22 – 26.
Mentors: Erin Casper (editor: Detropia, T/F 2013), Rachel Grady (co-director: 12th & Delaware), Josh Penn (producer: Beasts Of The Southern Wild), Aaron Wickenden (editor: Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, T/F 2018), Roger Ross Williams (director: Life Animated, T/F 2015).
Location: Gedney Farm, New Marlborough, MA / July 23 – 27
Mentors: Amanda Branson-Gill (producer, The Unknown Known), David Teague (editor, Life Animated; Cutie & the Boxer), Chris Hegedus (director, The War Room), Mark Becker (Director/Producer, Art & Craft; Pressure Cooker), and Pete Nicks (director, The Force).
Location: Mayacamas Ranch, Calistoga, CA / August 7 – 11
Mentors: Nels Bangerter (editor, Cameraperson), Rachel Boynton (director, Big Men,), Pedro Kos (editor, The Square), Dan Krauss (director, The Kill Team), and Kristine Samuelson (director, Tokyo Waka).