I just came across your website after a friend's suggestion while spreading the word about an all expenses paid apprenticeship program that will be held this year at the SILVERDOCS International Documentary Film Festival, the largest event of its kind co-hosted by AFI (the American Film Institute) and the Discovery Channel. This program was created for emerging and aspiring filmmakers with disabilities in partnership with VSA Arts, the disability outreach program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts in Washington, DC. Participants are provided with travel, room, board and VIP registration for the entire festival and conference and gain entry to workshops and parties attended by industry leaders, filmmakers, distributors and more. As one of the three young filmmakers chosen for last year's inaugural launch I can vouch that it is indeed an amazing dream come true of an opportunity that I cannot praise enough.

This year I have been invited back as a mentor to help guide the new recruits and I would like nothing more than to have the organizers' inbox OVERFLOW with submissions from all over the world. Please please please do what you can to pass word along to anyone and everyone you think might be the least bit interested - even you. The only requirement is that applicants must be between the ages of 18-30 and have a disability. This year organizers are hoping to grant apprenticeships to two international applicants as well so encourage people the world over to come out. All the information you need can be found here: http://www.vsarts.org/x6042.xml

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments and by all means let anyone you contact know that I will be more than happy to assist them in anyway I can. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS MARCH 12TH so please get out the word ASAP!


Matthew Clark
(215) 880-0253
matthew.clark@temple.edu