LInCS 2004

Public contact: Elizabeth Meyer, 415-356-8383 x270, e-mail: Elizabeth_Meyer@itvs.org 

Press contact: Wilson Ling, 415-356-8383 x231, e-mail: Wilson_Ling@itvs.org 

(San Francisco, CA)-The Independent Television Service (ITVS) announces LInCS 2004 (Local Independents Collaborating with Stations), a unique funding initiative that gives independent producers and local public television stations the opportunity to work together. The deadline for applications is May 26, 2004. A true one-of-a-kind, LInCS is the only funding initiative for independent producers in the public TV system that fosters station/producer collaboration. 

By providing matching funds to partnerships, LInCS acts as a catalyst, helping independent producers leverage the support of stations, and helping stations to access the talent of independent producers, creating programs that speak to their communities. LInCS funding ranges from $10,000 - $75,000 and may be matched by station in-kind as well as producer's secured cash (from grants, underwriting, individual donors and/or out-of-pocket cash contributions to the production). Projects may be in any stage of development and all genres are eligible, including documentary, drama, animation and innovative combinations. Series are not eligible. Programs must be 26:40 or 56:40 in length, and cannot be a shortened version of an existing program. 

Independent film and videomakers are invited to contact their local public television station to determine whether the station is interested in collaborating. Likewise, public television stations are encouraged to solicit and entertain ideas from independent producers in their broadcast areas. LInCS seeks regionally and culturally diverse projects. LInCS projects should engage both regional and national audiences, revealing universal themes through the lens of local perspectives and realities. Programs should stimulate civic discourse and explore regional, cultural, political, social or economic issues in innovative ways. LInCS also encourages experienced makers to mentor an emerging co-producer through the production process. A panel, consisting of representatives from the independent media community and public television station staff, will make project selections. 

Previously funded LInCS programs include BE GOOD, SMILE PRETTY; DEATH OF A SHAMAN; HEART OF THE SEA; LARRY VS. LOCKNEY; LOADED GUN: Life, and Death, and Dickinson; OKIE NOODLING; SING FASTER: The Stagehands' Ring Cycle; STRANGER WITH A CAMERA; SUN RIVER HOMESTEAD and the Academy Award®-nominated documentary THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND. 

To download LInCS guidelines and applications, visit the ITVS website at www.itvs.org or phone (415) 356-8383 ext. 270. The ITVS LInCS Programming Manager is Elizabeth Meyer. The deadline for LInCS applications is May 26, 2004. 

Calendar Listing: FUNDING FOR INDIE PRODUCTIONS: LOCAL INDEPENDENTS COLLABORATING with STATIONS (LInCS) is a funding initiative from Independent Television Service (ITVS) that provides matching funds (up to $75,000) for collaborations between public TV stations and indie producers. Projects may be in any stage of development and all genres are eligible, including documentary, drama, animation and innovative combinations. Only single shows, 26:40 or 56:40, are eligible - no series. Programs should stimulate civic discourse and find innovative ways to explore regional, cultural, political, social or economic issues. Indie film and videomakers are encouraged to seek collaborations with their local public TV stations. Deadline: May 26, 2004. Guidelines and applications at www.itvs.org, or call Elizabeth Meyer (415) 356-8383 x270; elizabeth_meyer@itvs.org. 

About ITVS 

Independent Television Service (ITVS) funds and presents award-winning documentaries and dramas on public television, innovative new media projects on the Web and the weekly series Independent Lens on Tuesday nights at 10 P.M. on PBS. ITVS is a miracle of public policy created by media activists, citizens and politicians seeking to foster plurality and diversity in public television. ITVS was established by a historic mandate of Congress to champion independently produced programs that take creative risks, spark public dialogue and serve underserved audiences. Since its inception in 1991, ITVS programs have revitalized the relationship between the public and public television, bringing TV audiences face-to-face with the lives and concerns of their fellow Americans. More information about ITVS can be obtained by visiting www.itvs.org. ITVS is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American People.