GSDF is a much needed and dedicated initiative to nurture new talent in documentary shorts, giving them access to the growing number of digital media platforms.

WHO IS IT FOR

Filmmakers of documentary shorts & digital platforms looking for new voices and new narratives.

GSDF supports and trains diverse voices to tell local stories of a social, political or cultural nature.

The Forum is open to applications from all parts of the world, with documentary projects up to 30 mins. The focus is on filmmakers from areas with low production capacity and little visibility, as well as filmmakers from minorities in geographical areas of established media production, thereby encouraging new narratives and underreported stories.

GSDF 2018 HIGHLIGHTS

HOW IT WORKS

The GSDF is annual and the call for applications is open to all. Selection is based on the filmmaker’s proven ability and the strength of the story, characters and footage provided.

16 selected applicants attend a 4-day residential workshop and pitching training, followed by one-to-one meetings with editors/commissioners. Travel and accommodation expenses are covered by the Forum for selected applicants.

The first forum was hosted by the Frontline Club in London. Second forum will take place in Kyiv, Ukraine as part of Docudays UA. Future iterations will take place in different geographical areas, with local partners focusing on outreach in the surrounding regions.

Dedicated to Shorts

Pitching and development forum wholly dedicated to documentary shorts: GSDF is the first of its kind.

New and diverse voices

Fresh and unique narratives offering original perspectives on the dominant digital platforms.

Meet the gatekeepers

Curated workshops, pitch training, and networking opportunities between the experts and the makers.

Access to market

Access for diverse filmmakers to the growing market of online platforms seeking untold stories.

WHY NOW

There’s a growing number of online media platforms looking for documentary shorts. Yet currently, there is no dedicated event of this kind to bridge the gap.

RAPIDLY EVOLVING MARKET

Over the past decade, there has been an explosion of online content – including platforms for documentary shorts from longstanding print publications to Internet giants. There have also been omnibus projects and ventures, as well as dedicated shorts and documentary platforms. These online media platforms are globally accessible to massive audiences, creating huge opportunities for talented filmmakers. But the short itself is an art form which requires particular skills and training separate from long form documentary.

The online market for short documentaries is evolving rapidly and is very different to the market for feature length docs. GSDF offers training and workshops on both the form and the market.

NEW VOICES MEET DECISION MAKERS

It is often difficult for filmmakers to determine the relevant decision makers, as well as the style and subject matter they are looking for. Global Short Docs Forum fills this crucial gap in the market, acting as a matchmaker between the relevant commissioners and emerging filmmaking talent.

The Forum fosters a more sustainable culture of short documentaries, giving filmmakers access to valuable training and top decision makers; and ensuring that these commissioners can likewise access a global pool of the best new filmmaking talent, resulting in more diverse and untold stories.