FAQ

Biennale College Cinema  – Immersive 8

What projects can be eligible for the production grant?
All the VR immersive stories lasting up to 30 minutes.

Who can participate?
The BCC I call is open to people involved in film, gaming, theatre, dance, opera, visual arts and other creative fields. Participants will need to provide work that demonstrates their creative, visual and production skills, openness to taking on new practices and a desire to fully engage with the technology.

What is the eligibility criteria for a director and a producer?
For those applying from the film world experience in short films, documentaries, and/or features is required and for those creative professionals applying from outside the film world they will need to have a body of work which can demonstrate their ability to understand narrative and spatial concerns. Director and producer have to fulfill the requirement of the call, presenting their 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd immersive project.

Can we apply as co-directors?
Yes, co-directors can apply but please be aware that in case of selection you have to cover the expenses for the additional member of your team (travel, accommodation, meals and transport in Venice). Both directors have to fulfill the requirement of the call. (1^st to 3^rd immersive project)

I am a director but I don’t have a producer attached to the project. Can I apply?
I am a producer/writer with a project but I don’t have a director on board. Can I apply?
The application must be presented only in team made by director and producer. Application presented by a director or producer alone will not be considered.

Can the same person apply as director and producer?
The same person can’t apply as director and producer. The application must be presented in team.

Can an independent producer apply if he/she presents the application attached to a production company?
Yes, sure. An independent producer can apply if he/she fulfills the requirements of the call.

Can an association with proved experience in film and VR/immersive production apply?
Associations and institution with proved experience in film and VR/immersive production can apply to the program providing to present with a dedicated producer attached to the project.

Can I apply as producer if I have worked in distribution in the past?
No, it’s mandatory to prove experience in the film and VR/immersive production field.

I am working with two producers, they work in team. Can I apply having them on board?
You have to choose one producer who will lead the project through the all process.

Can writers be part of the team?
The program is dedicated only to team made by director and producer. When the director and the screenwriter are not the same person, in case of selection at the first workshop, it is strongly recommended that both the director and the screenwriter participate. However, the Biennale College Cinema program will only cover the cost of board and lodging for 2 people.

I am an actor: can I apply to the program?
No. Only team made by director and producer are eligible.

Can a team apply with more than one project?
No. Each team can only apply with one project.

Can a production company present more than one team?
They can, providing that the members of the team are different for each project presented.

If selected, can a different team from the one applying participate in the workshop?
No, the same team applying has to be the one participating in the workshop.

What’s the deadline for applications?
The deadline is set on November 6^th, 2023 (23:59 CET)

How can I apply?
The application has to be presented by filling the form you find online in our website

Can I send my application via mail?
No. The application must be send on-line only.

The application has to be presented in English?
Yes, all the documents required for the application have to be presented in English. We recommend to subtitle in English the previous works.
The workshop will be held in English.

Can an applicant who has already been selected and had participated in the previous year, re-apply?
No, an applicant that has already being selected and had participated in the workshop, cannot re-apply.

Does Biennale College Cinema have a theme?
No. Participants can address whatever theme they prefer.

Can I apply with a project that has already received funds for development or production?
No. One of the goal of the program is to explore what’s possible to achieve with a limited budget of € 75,000. This budget includes also the development process.

Can I receive feedback on my project before I present the application?
No, our program doesn’t include this option.

What items have to be included in the budget?
In the application form you will find a model budget.

Is VAT included in the € 75,000?
Yes, if the VAT is a cost.

Can I raise additional production fundings? Can I receive additional fundings from other institutions/companies?
No. Each selected project has to be made within the budget of € 75,000. The goal of the program is to explore the micro budget productions.

Can I send a script?
No. You have to submit a synopsis and a treatment.

Does Biennale College Cinema invite teams to apply to the program?
Biennale College Cinema can invite teams to apply in order to reach its goals. These applications will be treated as the others.

Can I send additional documentation?
No, please send the requested materials only.

Am I allowed to present a project for a budget less than € 75,000?
Yes.

What’s the “right disclosure”?
By ticking the box “I accept” in the “Right Disclosure” field, you confirm to La Biennale di Venezia that you owns the rights of the project and you’re entitled to use the script to produce the audiovisual work. You also confirm that the payment of possible rights for third parties, have already been processed (or are in process) and are included in the € 75,000 budget. The selected team/teams accessing the production grant will sign an agreement with La Biennale di Venezia.

What is the “Video Presentation” of the director? Is there specific criteria to follow?
It is a video message from the director presenting himself/herself and his/her work. Each director is free to choose the best way to realize it. The video must be presented in English.

What is the “Director’s Vision”?
The director’s vision is the description of the visual and artistic aspect of the project.
It can be presented in different ways: as a mood board, as a project book (pages of story board, colour script, drawings or photos), as a video (max. 3 minutes)
It’s the visual complement to the concept.

What is the “Audience Engagement Plan”?
It is a document that describes the strategies planned to engage an audience, even if it’s a niche one.

Is there a particular location where the project has to be shot?
No. There are no limitations. You can shoot all around the world.

It is possible to present a budget in a different currency rather than Euro if the total amount correspond to € 75,000?
No. Budget must be presented in Euro.

If I am not able to upload the files, what shall I do?
The first option is to try the upload using a different browser or more than one, if necessary.
Secondly, please remind that the total weight of the application has to be max 3 MB. If you still face problem with the upload please send an e-mail to: college-cinema@labiennale.org

Can I send a DVD of my previous works?
No, it’s mandatory to receive the complete application through our web-form.

What is the selection criteria?
The most important aspects for the selection committee are the artistic value and the feasibility of the project. Biennale College – Cinema doesn’t apply strict rules and every application will be valued for its specific qualities.

When will the selected projects be notified?
The results will be notified to the applicants by mid December 2023.

If my application is selected, do I have to participate in the workshop? How long is the whole process?
Yes, teams selected for BCC- I have to participate in a 7 days workshop taking place in Venice from January 12^th until 18^th 2024 (arrival day 11^th – departure day 19^th).
The up to three project selected to participate in the further stage are invited to attend a workshop in Venice in March 2024.

Does the immersive experience has to be ready for the 81^st Venice International Film Festival in 2024?
Yes, the up to one project accessing the grant has to be ready for the 81^st Venice International Film Festival in September 2024.

Does La Biennale di Venezia acquire the rights of the projects? What’s the agreement with Biennale College Cinema?
Director and producer own the complete rights of the film that will be world premiered in Venice. Once the final selection is made, the teams will sign an agreement with La Biennale di Venezia, defining all the details.

If my project is selected, how will the grant be distributed?
The grant will be paid in two installments according with the different production schedules agreed during the last workshop in March.

What’s the maximum length of the project?
Each project has to last maximum 30 minutes.

How will  the project be presented at the 81st Venice International Film Festival?
Format allowed are 360° videos, linear or interactive XR works 3 DOF and 6 DOF compliant with one or more of the following devices/formats: Oculus Quest, Oculus Quest 2, PC VR, Mixed Reality, Augmented Reality and any other format to be confirmed by La Biennale di Venezia.

Will I receive feedback if my application is not selected?
No, Biennale College Cinema does not discuss or give specific feedback on the non-selected projects.