Weekly Portrait: Short Films for a Long Weekend
New Festival Submission Tracker, Big Sky Preview, and So. Many. Shorts.
Happy Thursday, friends, and our well wishes into the long weekend and on to Mardi Gras. We’re celebrating this Fat Tuesday with your standout work from New Orleans.
Our Soundtrack: Papa Grows Funk, inspired by this documentary on the legendary New Orleans band by Josh Freund.
Our Meal Plan: Creole, inspired by the profile of iconic restaurant Galatoire produced for Eater by McGraw Wolfman.
Our Watchlist:
Katrina Babies, the story of the families and children uprooted by the disaster. Kate Ferraguto, archival producer.
SHELTER, chronicling New Orleans’ homeless youth, from Stephen Bailey.
Spike Lee’s When the Levee’s Broke. The film inspired Emma Francis-Snyder to drop out of college to rebuild houses after Hurricane Katrina.
Whatever you watch this weekend, we hope it inspires you as Spike’s work did Emma. Now: let’s dive into what’s happening this week!
Jean Ellen and Kasia
Co-Founders, Portrait
Roll of Honor
Premieres, Press, Awards, and Standout Member Work This Week
Big Sky Film Festival: Shorts in Person & Online
Heading to Montana this weekend? Check out the premieres of these short films.
Staying home for the long weekend? All films are also streaming online.
“Between Earth & Sky.” Ecologist Nalini Nadkarni pioneered climbing to study the rainforest. After surviving a life-threatening fall, she turns her research inward. Portrait member Joe Van Eeckhout, DP.
“Breaking Silence.” A deaf father and hearing daughter reflect on how imprisonment shaped their relationship and advocacy. Portrait member Amy Bench, Director and Producer.
“Nina & Irena.” Before her 90th birthday, a grandmother reveals the painful story of her sister’s disappearance during the Holocaust and her survivor’s guilt. Portrait member Daniel Lombroso, Director.
The Black Disquisition: Now Streaming
Portrait member Quincy Ledbetter’s The Black Disquisition is now streaming as part of the Human Rights Film & Arts Festival. Directed and written by Quincy, the short animated film examines how a brief childhood encounter can alter a life well into adulthood. It will also play at different locations throughout North Dakota this year.
Poker Face: Renewed For Season 2
It’s official. Six episodes in, Peacock has confirmed the hit series will return. Check out tonight’s episode, shot by Portrait member Christine Ng. Congrats Christine and team!
Semafor: Interview with Video Head Joe Posner
If you’ve been curious what’s happening behind the scenes at global news startup Semafor, check this great conversation with Portrait member Joe Posner from Video Consortium. Our favorite revelation? Their baby name chalkboard wall with alllllllll the rejects and one winner. We’ll leave you to investigate.
Have something exciting to share? We’ll include it next week.
Window of Opportunity
Weekly Jobs, Grants, Labs, Intensives, Programming, Events, and More
Coming Soon / Closing Soon
Programming
Feb. 21st. Case Study: Microbudget Producing with “We’re All Going to the World’s Fair.” The Gotham, Online.
Feb. 23rd. PBS Underwriting Success: Filmmaker Tell All. Show&Tell, Online.
March 3rd. Poetic Witness: Developing Documentary Films. Film Fatales, Online.
Grants and Intensives
AAPI Voices Fund: $5,000 and $10,000 grants. Deadline Feb. 19th.
PBS Ignite Mentorship for Diverse Voices. Deadline Feb. 20th.
The Gotham Owning It Pitch Decks Accountability Challenge. Deadline Feb. 23rd.
Asian Women Giving Circle: $8,000 grants. Deadline Feb. 24th.
Roy W. Dean Film Grant: $3,500 grants. Deadline March 31st.
SFFILM Rainin Narrative Feature Grants: $25,000 grants. Deadline March 24th.
JFI Completion Grant. Various Sizes. Deadline March 31st.
NEW! Festival Submission Tracker — Two Weeks of Deadlines
London Independent Film Festival - Final deadline TODAY Feb. 16th.
Cannes Film Awards - Next deadline TODAY Feb. 16th.
Cannes Indie Shorts Awards - Next deadline Feb. 21st.
New Orleans Film Festival seeking volunteer film screeners - Deadline Feb 21st.
Tribeca Film Festival - Final deadline Feb. 22nd.
San Diego International Film Festival - Next deadline Feb 24
Brooklyn Film Festival - Next deadline Feb 25
Leeds International Film Festival - Next deadline March 1st.
Santa Fe International Film Festival - Next deadline March 1st.
AFI Fest - Next deadline March 2nd.
Jobs/Gigs Roundup
Communications Consultant. Documentary Producers Alliance.
Program Manager, part-time. Film Fatales.
Senior Editor, Breaking News. CNN Business.
Editor, California Expansion. Politico.
Editorial Producer, Politico Live. Politico
Graphics Reporter, Opinions. Washington Post.
Portrait is hiring!
Know an amazing film student or recent grad? We’re looking for part-time help with the behind-the-scenes operations of our onboarding efforts. If you know someone great, DM our fearless Director of Community and Engagement Jenny McQuaile on Portrait or email at jenny@onportrait.com.
End Credits: Scene of the Week
We loved seeing Portrait Member Jonathan Hsu’s updates from the Santa Barbara Film Festival this week, including that Jerry — from Hsu’s film “Starring Jerry As Himself” — did indeed make it to the red carpet in time. Congrats to Jonathan and the whole team!
Until next week, friends,
JE + K