Films

IF/Then Past Programs

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  Nature Connection Pitch 2024

  An open call for filmmakers to share their short documentary works-in-progress focusing on connecting or reconnecting with nature for a pitch at Mountainfilm in May 2024. The opportunity celebrates storytellers and stories that explore environmental stories centered around restoring humanity’s connection with nature and the outdoors.

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  Finish Line

  A program that supports and guides filmmakers through this new and evolving world, helping them refine their work and strategies to find the most successful opportunities available.

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  Original Voices Shorts Pitch 2023

  A national open call for archival and journalistically driven short documentaries highlighting social issues and identities.

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  IF/Then x Hulu Short Documentary Lab 2023

  An open call for short-documentary filmmakers based in North America. This lab channels IF/Then and Hulu’s shared vision of creating a new pipeline of diverse talent, incubating strong voices who will be the next class of non-fiction storytellers, and spotlighting creators elevating LGBTQIA+ narratives with their filmmaking prowess.

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  KNIGHT HEROES 2023: Short Documentary Development Program

  This initiative, led by IF/Then Shorts staff as an extension of the Miami Film Festival’s programming legacy with Knight Heroes, will provide grants and direct mentorship to four local filmmakers, along with a major panel focused on development that will be open to the entire community.

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  IF/Then x The Redford Center Nature Connection Pitch 2023

  An open call for filmmakers to share their short documentary works-in-progress focusing on connecting or reconnecting with nature for a pitch and workshop series at Big Sky Film Festival in February 2023. The opportunity celebrates storytellers and stories that spotlight the physical, mental, spiritual, social, and planetary benefits of restoring and strengthening humanity’s relationship with the natural world.

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  KNIGHT HEROES 2022: Short Documentary Development Program

  This initiative, led by IF/Then Shorts staff as an extension of the Miami Film Festival’s programming legacy with Knight Heroes, will provide grants and direct mentorship to eight local filmmakers, along with a major panel focused on both narrative and documentary short-form series development that will be open to the entire community.

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  SHIFTING LANDSCAPES - Emergence Magazine x IF/Then Shorts Lab

  Marking the first partnership between IF/Then Shorts and Emergence Magazine, this lab celebrates storytellers and stories that explore these widespread shifts in movement from both human and nonhuman perspectives, and on both human and nonhuman timescales.

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  IF/Then x The Redford Center Nature Access Pitch 2021

  The inaugural IF/Then x The Redford Center Nature Access Pitch calls for short documentary films that explore environmental solutions to restoring humanity’s connection with the outdoors. Selected during a pitch event at DOC NYC in November 2021, winning filmmakers will receive a combined $35,000 in production grants, along with mentorship and distribution, to share their stories of environmental access with the world.

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  IF/Then x Hulu Short Documentary Lab 2021

  IF/Then Shorts, in partnership with Hulu Documentary Films calls short-documentary filmmakers based in North America to take part in the Inaugural IF/Then x Hulu Short Documentary Lab. This lab will channel Hulu and IF/Then’s shared vision of creating a new pipeline of diverse talent and incubating strong voices who will be the next class of non-fiction storytellers.

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  South Shorts Grant & Residency 2021

  A post-production residency and fund for four filmmaking teams living and working in the American South. IF/Then Shorts and New Orleans Film Society are holding an open call for diverse stories and storytellers from the American South to apply for a fellowship to take cinematic short documentary films from the edit to distribution. Projects should explore a range of socially, politically and culturally relevant topics that are rooted in the American South region.

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  Distribution Initiative 2021

  The IF/Then ShortsDistribution Initiative consisted of a 14 month distribution mentorship, running from January 2021 and concluding in March 2022. Each film received a grant of $2,000 to be used on any costs arising in the completion and creation of deliverables for the selected films.

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  North Shorts Grant & Residency 2020

  A $30,000 fund and residency for 6 filmmakers from the American Northeast working on documentary shorts. Points North Institute, IF/Then Shorts, LEF Foundation, and ScreeningRoom held an open call for diverse stories and storytellers from the American Northeast to apply for a fellowship to take cinematic short documentary films from the edit to distribution. These 6 projects explored a range of socially, politically and culturally relevant topics that were rooted in the American Northeast region.

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  American South Pitch 2020

  The annual IF/Then American South Pitch, which for the past three years took place at the New Orleans Film Festival, was held virtually in 2020, with Reel South joining for the 2020 version as a co-production and distribution partner. The pitch called for original stand-alone commissions of short documentaries by diverse filmmakers, who are living and working in the American South.

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  American West Pitch with ESPN 2020

  For the fourth consecutive year, IF/Then & Tribeca Film Institute (TFI) partnered with Big Sky Documentary Film Festival to support the art of short-form documentary storytelling in the American West. In 2020, we were overjoyed to welcome ESPN as a supporting partner of the pitch. PROGRAM DETAILS: Six projects focusing on American West stories exploring issues around health through the lens of athleticism, sports, and competition have been selected to enter the IF/Then Shorts American West Pitch with ESPN at Big Sky Documentary Film Festival on February 20, 2020 from 9 AM - 11 AM at the Zootown Arts Community Center in Missoula, Montana.