Southern International Film Festival Grant Proposal

SOAPIFF: Southern International Film Festival Grant Proposal

LaShana D. Leigh

Dr. David Kilmnick

                                            NPMN 620-9040

        University of Maryland University College

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04/16/2014

Ellen  May, Chair

Grants Advisory Council

Tennessee Arts Commission, Inc.

401 Charlotte Avenue

Nashville,  TN 37243-0780

RE: SOAPIFF Fall Festival and Award Ceremony

Dear Ms. May,

Thank you for the opportunity to be considered for support by the Tennessee Arts Commission.

In the seven short years since its founding, the Southern Appalachian Film Festival has played a major role in serving the Appalachian community with our services: spotlighting the accomplishments of up and coming filmmakers and student filmmakers, honoring the accomplishments of local film genre and celebrating Appalachian culture. The Southern Appalachian Film Festival is devoted to spotlighting the health and poverty issues in the Appalachian region.

A priority need for the Fall Festival and Awards Program, which begins accepting films submissions and hosting showings in other regional events, such as the Blue Plum festival and Umoja Festivals during the summer, is  to bring awareness to the proliferation of local film projects, and funding for the venue, marketing and printing expenses,  audio visual equipment, entertainment, catering, and other festival expenses. In the past, we have relied on volunteer or minimally compensated staff, thus freeing up the budget for other aspects of the festival. This has presented us with some challenges, as it has resulted in high turnover, continued difficulty attracting qualified personnel, and somewhat hindered fundraising efforts. The success of the Fall Festival and Awards Ceremony depends on the platform that our festival supplies in which to showcase local works, bolster local tourism, as well as bring awareness to local poverty and health issues in the region.

The Southern Appalachian Film Festival is requesting $ 5000.00 from the Tennessee Arts Commission to support this program that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of up and coming filmmakers and students . A contribution from the Tennessee Arts Commission will give us the jumpstart we need while we continue to implement our recently developed fund raising plan.

We believe that the Fall Festival and Awards Ceremony  is aligned with the mission and interest of Tennessee Arts Commission, and hope that you will find it in your hearts and budget to support this program. If I can provide additional information to encourage consideration of our request, please feel free to contact me at 423-534-7120.  I would also be happy to personally meet with your committee to present this proposal.

Thank you,

SOAPIFF

ETSU Media Arts Dept.

LaShana Leigh, Project Event Coordinator

800 Lake Avenue, Johnson City, TN  37614

423-534-7120

lashanal@gmail.com

Enclosure: Program Funding Proposal

SOAPIFF Fall Festival and Awards Ceremony

Submitted to: The Tennessee Arts Commission

Date: April 17, 2014

Ellen  May, Chair

Grants Advisory Council

Tennessee Arts Commission, Inc.

401 Charlotte Avenue

Nashville,  TN 37243-0780

Request for Funding Proposal

ORGANIZATION AND MISSION

In May of 2006,  SOAPIFF was created in order to provide the region with an alternative method of recognition and promotion for independent filmmakers.  The goal of preservation and fostering an atmosphere of artistic acceptance of the art of filmmaking within the region and internationally primarily seeks to continue to preserve the filmmaking legacies that encouraged film production and film culture in Southern Appalachia spawning such films as “Dirty Dancing,” “Goodbye, Miss 4th of July,” “The River,” “What about Bob” just to name a few.  (Dyer, 2013)

SOAPIFF sought to create a new annual film festival in the greater Eastern Tennessee region to replace the old Sinking Creek Celebration, which is now the Nashville Film Festival.  SOAPIFF has filled the void left by the Sinking Creek festival in the region becoming the longest surviving independent film festival in the American South.  As a nod to legacy left by the Sinking Creek Celebration, SOAPIFF annually awards the Mary Jane Coleman award to a deserving filmmaker annually to acknowledge her ground breaking achievements as the Sinking Creek founder. 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

PARTNERS

SOAPIFF strongly believes that the formula for providing effective, cost-efficient

programs includes collaboration with many community organizations.

SOAPIFF partners with the following groups:

􀂃 The Olde Friends of Downtown Johnson City – A Downtown Merchant Association

   Johnson City Public Library – Rooms for showings of Children’s film submissions

􀂃 East Tennessee State students and Greek organizations – serve as volunteers

􀂃 Eastman Chemical – provides funding and volunteers  for the Fall Festival and Awards Ceremony.

􀂃 ETSU – provides space for Showings and Offices

    Johnson City Arts Council - serve as resource for Marketing and Promotion

􀂃 Johnson City Chamber Of Commerce – provides Marketing and Promotion services

SUSTAINABILITY OF PROJECT

To serve as a platform for up and coming filmmakers to showcase their works and local filmmakers to have a vehicle in which to  host limited showings of their projects in the region where the works were shot. Virtually all of whom are unable to pay for marketing and distribution  services for their projects , therefore, SOAPIFF has developed a fund raising plan, which includes WITHOUTABOX submission fees, initiating an annual fund drive targeted to individuals; showings at the Blue Plum Festival, Umoja Festivals, First Friday Monthly events, and an annual banquet; funding requests to area civic clubs and organizations; and corporate and foundation grants.