Call for Entries
Season deadline: February 5, 2009
In the spirit of expanding KQED's commitment to diverse voices and viewpoints, and KQED's belief in the power of independent film to educate, entertain and enlighten audiences, KQED has created exciting showcases for the best documentary films about the Golden State -- on TV and on the Web.
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Truly CA: Our State, Our Stories is a TV series airing feature-length documentaries every month on Sundays at 6pm, a new time slot where KQED will highlight independent works.
Truly CA Shorts is a web-only companion series featuring a new downloadable short documentary (30 minutes or less) every other month. To subscribe to this free podcast, go to iTunes.
.Truly CA: Our State, Our Stories is a TV series airing feature-length documentaries every month on Sundays at 6pm, a new time slot where KQED will highlight independent works.
Truly CA Shorts is a web-only companion series featuring a new downloadable short documentary (30 minutes or less) every other month. To subscribe to this free podcast, go to iTunes.
Through multiple calls for entries each year, Truly CA: Our State, Our Stories reaches out to the independent film community throughout the state to find completed or nearly completed feature-length documentaries. KQED will offer these films in-kind, completion resources tailored to the needs of each project which may include: an online edit, a sound mix, closed captioning, inclusion in series website, and promotion. In addition to these valuable post production resources, the station pays a modest licensing fee for local broadcast rights.
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On a rolling basis, Truly CA Shorts accepts short (30 minutes or less) documentaries for the new world of film distribution: the Internet. Each month a new film is distributed directly to viewers and subscribers, as a podcast through iTunes, Open Media Network and other outlets. Films are also featured on Truly CA's Web site. Please note that Truly CA Shorts is for online distribution only, films are NOT considered for broadcast on KQED's television channels.
On a rolling basis, Truly CA Shorts accepts short (30 minutes or less) documentaries for the new world of film distribution: the Internet. Each month a new film is distributed directly to viewers and subscribers, as a podcast through iTunes, Open Media Network and other outlets. Films are also featured on Truly CA's Web site. Please note that Truly CA Shorts is for online distribution only, films are NOT considered for broadcast on KQED's television channels.
Season 5 Deadline: February 5, 2009
Selection Criteria
Truly CA films must be about California, shot in California, and preferably made by California's talented, independent, documentary filmmakers.
Our taste is eclectic: we seek films that cover a broad range of topics and filmmaking styles. Priority will be given to films that cover political or social issues, but more personal or experimental works will be considered as well. Particular topics of interest include: education, the environment, immigration, the criminal justice system, history, healthcare, and governance -issues explored through the lives of ordinary and extraordinary Californians. In terms of style and format, we consider narrated and non-narrated films, first person or point of view projects, cinema verité work, and news documentaries.
We look for well-crafted stories featuring compelling characters -stories that are provocative, passionate, and unforgettable. Not only do we want well-told stories, we're interested in well-made films, works that are both thought-provoking and eye-opening.
Eligibility
Non-fiction: Only documentary films will be considered. No narrative films, docudramas, or performance pieces.
Independents only: Filmmakers must have artistic, editorial, and budgetary control of their projects, and own the copyright.
Completed or nearly completed works: Submitted works must be completed films, fine cuts, advanced rough cuts, or festival versions. Please note that filmmakers must be willing to commit to on-lining, packaging, and broadcasting their films within 2-6 months of being accepted to the series.
Length: Submitted rough cuts and fine cuts should be as close to an hour as possible, festival versions may run slightly longer. If a film is selected for the series, filmmakers will be required to cut their projects to a PBS hour (appoximately 52-54 minutes) prior to online and other post production services.
Format: Films shot on a variety of video formats will be considered, including: miniDV, DVCam, Betacam, Digital Betacam, HDV, and HDCam.
Funding: All projects must comply with PBS' funding and underwriting guidelines (at pbs.org).
Submission Procedures
Deadline: February 5, 2009
Standard Letter of Release: All submissions must include a signed release letter.
Screening Copies: Please include TWO (2) VHS or DVD copies of your film.
Supplementary Materials: Please attach a one page synopsis, a bio or resume, and any relevant reviews or press coverage.
Mailing Address:
Truly CA - KQED,
2601 Mariposa Street,
San Francisco CA 94110
Attn: Fees/Rights
Attn: Fees/Rights
Filmmakers are required to grant KQED non-exclusive US public television broadcast rights, covering KQED's digital channels as well as Channel 9. The station also requires non-exclusive promotional and web rights to promote the films and include them on the series web site. All third party material included in the films (archival footage, newspaper or magazine headlines/articles, music, photographs, etc) must be cleared for these same rights. If a Truly CA film is broadcast on any other US public television station or acquired by national public television strands and/or distributors, KQED must be credited as the presenting station.
Frequently Asked Questions: Features
What kind of films are you looking for?
Truly CA seeks hour-long, independently-produced documentaries about California. The series is eclectic -- we air films on a diverse array of topics, presented in a variety of voices, exploring many different geographic regions of the state. We look for powerful stories that feature compelling characters. We're also keen on films that have a very strong sense of place, that take us on a journey to a particular corner of the state, familiar or unfamiliar. And finally, we want films that are well crafted and well produced.
Can I submit a completed or festival version of my documentary, even though it's 72 minutes long?
We encourage filmmakers to submit films as close to one hour as possible. That said, if you have a polished festival version that's longer than an hour, you may submit it for consideration. If it is accepted, you'll be responsible for cutting the film down to approximately 54 minutes.
What completion resources do you offer as part of the series?
Truly CA provides the following in-kind resources: online editing resources, sound mixing, closed captioning, a spot on the series' Web site, promotion and local broadcast. All services are performed at KQED or in designated facilities at which we regularly work. In addition to the completion resources, we pay a modest licensing fee for broadcast rights.
What are the minimum and maximum lengths you'll consider?
Truly CA accepts advanced rough cuts, fine cuts and festival versions. Submitted works should be a minimum of 40 minutes in length and a maximum of 90 minutes. Because we're ultimately looking for hour-long films, the closer to an hour running time the better. If your film is selected, you will be asked to deliver an approximately 54-minute version. In other words, if your film is longer it will need to be cut down, and if it's shorter, you'll be asked to add material. The cutting or adding is done by the filmmaker and is not covered by Truly CA resources.
I have a short documentary film. Do you accept programs less than one hour long?
Your film must be at least 40 minutes in length to be submitted to Truly CA for broadcast. If you have a film that is 30 minutes or less, you can submit it to our Truly CA Shorts web-only series.
My finished film is approximately 44 minutes. Can I still submit it to Truly CA?
Yes, if you are willing to do additional editing, shooting or both to meet our 54-minute total running time. As the filmmaker, you would be responsible for any costs associated with additional shoots and off-line editing; such costs would not be part of the post-production services offered by Truly CA.
Are you looking for completed documentaries?
The post-production resources we offer are only available to uncompleted documentaries.
My finished film has already aired on a PBS station. Can I still submit it to Truly CA?
If your film has aired nationally on PBS or on multiple PBS stations, it is unlikely we would consider it for the series. Send us an email at to find out whether or not you should apply.
Do you accept narrative shorts or features?
No. Truly CA is all documentaries, all the time.
I have an idea for a series on a California subject. I also have an idea involving a performance that takes place in California. Can I submit either of those to Truly CA?
No. Truly CA is looking for one-hour documentary films about California that have been completed or already been shot and off-line edited and are seeking final post-production resources and a broadcaster. We do not consider ideas even if the subject is appropriate for Truly CA, nor do we consider series, fictional films or performance pieces, whether they are completed or in the concept stage.
Will my deal with a distribution company prohibit me from applying to Truly CA?
Probably not, although that depends on what your contract states. Truly CA requires only nonexclusive broadcast rights. Under the Truly CA contract, the filmmaker retains all other rights, such as theatrical, foreign television, cable, home video, educational and so on.
Who clears the rights to third-party materials in my film, such as archival footage, photos, music and so forth?
The filmmaker or producer of the film would be responsible for clearing all material in the documentary, including getting proper releases from all the people featured in the piece and clearing third-party materials. Third-party materials are those materials you didn't shoot but included in the film -- archival footage and photographs, music (original compositions for the film or music that had previously been published), and visual elements (paintings, sketches and so on). There are various kinds of contracts, releases and licensing agreements for third-party materials, depending on the producing entity and the material you're clearing. A good place to start in terms of learning about clearances and licensing is the ITVS Production Handbook. It's full of invaluable information for independent filmmakers and includes templates for releases and other contracts. ITVS sells this handbook on their Web site.
For details, go to itvs.org/producers/.
Frequently Asked Questions: Shorts
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What kind of film is TRULY CA SHORTS looking for?
Truly CA Shorts seeks independently-produced short documentaries about California. Our taste is eclectic -- films that cover a diverse array of topics, voices, and geographic regions from all over California. We look for powerful stories featuring compelling characters. We're also keen on films that have a very strong sense of place, that take us on a journey to a particular corner of the state, familiar or unfamiliar. Films that are well-crafted and well-produced are appreciated too.
Truly CA Shorts seeks independently-produced short documentaries about California. Our taste is eclectic -- films that cover a diverse array of topics, voices, and geographic regions from all over California. We look for powerful stories featuring compelling characters. We're also keen on films that have a very strong sense of place, that take us on a journey to a particular corner of the state, familiar or unfamiliar. Films that are well-crafted and well-produced are appreciated too.
How are the films on Truly CA Shorts distributed?
Selected films are distributed via podcasting and streaming on the Truly CA web site, and via other online distribution outlets. Please note that Truly CA Shorts is web-only. Selected short films will NOT be considered for broadcast.
What are the minimum and maximum lengths you'll consider?
Submitted works must be 30 minutes or less in length. Films longer than 30 minutes will not be considered.
Do the films have to be completed?
Submissions to Truly CA Shorts must be completed films. Post production or completion resources are not available.
My finished film is approximately 44 minutes. Can I still submit it to Truly CA Shorts?
No. All Truly CA Shorts must be 30 minutes or less in length.
My finished film has already aired on a PBS station. Can I still submit it to Truly CA Shorts?
Yes, but it must be 30 minutes or less in length.
I have an idea for a series on a California subject or a performance that takes place in California. Can I submit it to Truly CA Shorts?
No. Truly CA Shorts is only looking for completed short documentary films about California, which run 30-minutes or less. We do not accept series proposals, fictional films, or performance pieces.
What is the licensing fee for the films, and what rights does the series acquire?
Truly CA Shorts pays $25 per minute licensing fee to acquire non-exclusive streaming, podcast, and download rights. Since the license is non-exclusive, filmmakers may distribute via other online and broadcast venues in addition to Truly CA Shorts.
Who clears the rights to third party materials in my film, such as archival footage, photos, music, etc.?
The filmmaker or producer of the film is responsible for clearing all material in the documentary, including getting proper releases for all the people featured in the piece, as well as clearing ?third party material.? Third party material usually refers to material you didn't shoot but included in the film Ð archival footage and photographs, music (composed or from CDs), visual elements (paintings, sketches, etc). There are various kinds of contracts, releases, and licensing agreements for third party material, depending on the producing entity and the material you're clearing. A good place to start in terms of learning about clearances and licensing is the ITVS Production Handbook. It's full of invaluable information for independent filmmakers, and includes templates for releases and other contracts. ITVS sells the handbook from their website, try scrolling down to the bottom of this page for details: tvs.org/producers/.itvs.org/producers/.
Truly CA is a KQED production presented in association with the Bay Area Video Coalition and the Film Arts Foundation.
KQED has the most advanced non commercial media access and training center in the nation. The center provides education, information, connections and inspiration for the independent film and video community.
Support for Truly CA is provided by The Campaign for the Future Program Venture Fund, The Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation, Ambassador James C. Hormel, and the Members of KQED.
Learn more about Truly CA at the KQED website
Learn more about KQED membership here.
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