Climate Action Now Short Film Series

The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs in partnership with Seattle Public Utilities seeks to commission up to five filmmakers and video artists to develop and produce a film or video that innovatively addresses environmental stewardship and the impact of climate change on water supply and drainage utilities. This invitational competition is open to established filmmakers and video artists who are residents of the Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, British Columbia) and California. The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs reserves the right to invite artists to apply who are residents elsewhere in the United States and Canada. Students are not eligible to apply.

Selected filmmakers will create unique, visionary works investigating issues and themes related to global warming in all genres including non-fiction/documentary, narrative, video/new media art, and animation. Film topics could include water conservation, water supply and drainage, protection of seawalls, user consumption/waste, or protection of watersheds and reservoirs. Running time for films or videos is expected to be between 8 and 12 minutes. SPU will provide a liaison who will grant access to SPU facilities and water utility representatives. Films and videos must be completed by May 31, 2009 and delivered to the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs on pre-approved digital tape format. The completed works will be presented at local venues, free public screenings at SPU facilities, and broadcast locally on the Seattle Channel. The filmmaker/artist will retain the film's copyright and the right to enter the film into festivals and distribution to the public.

The total commission is $15,000 per filmmaker for development, production, post-production and delivery of masters (inclusive of all costs and taxes). Commission payments will be made in installments as milestones are met throughout the project. Application requirements include a five-minute work sample on DVD, work sample identification sheet (not to exceed 1,000 characters), letter of interest (not to exceed 2,000 characters), résumé, and three references with names, phone numbers and email addresses. Work samples must be mailed or hand-delivered to the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs by 5:00 p.m., Monday, October 6, 2008 or postmarked by October 6, 2008. Selection will take place in two parts: first round review of work samples and materials, followed by interviews with up to eight finalists. Artists will be notified of results by late November 2008.