ITVS Announces LInCS 2001 Funding Initiative

Linking Independent Producers and Local Public Television Stations

Deadline For Proposals April 30, 2001

San Francisco—The Independent Television Service (ITVS) announces LInCS 2001 (Local Independents Collaborating with Stations), a funding initiative that gives independent producers and local public television stations the opportunity to work together. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2001.

LInCS provides incentive or matching monies to collaborations between public television stations and independent producers. Funding amounts will range from $10,000 – $75,000; these funds must be matched by secured cash (from grants, underwriting, individual donors) and/or station in-kind and/or out-of-pocket cash contributions to the production. Single shows and interstitial packages will be considered, as will projects in any genre or stage of development. 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 2001 seeks regionally and culturally diverse projects. Programs should stimulate civic discourse and break traditional molds of exploring complex regional, cultural, political, social or economic issues. 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, public television and ITVS, will make project selections.

Previous programs funded under this initiative include ESCAPE FROM AFFLUENZA: LIVING BETTER ON LESS; IN MY CORNER; ONE LAST BET; SING FASTER: THE STAGEHANDS RING CYCLE; STRANGER WITH A CAMERA; TAKEN IN: THE LIVES OF AMERICAS FOSTER CHILDREN; TOBACCO BLUES and WANNABE: LIFE AND DEATH IN A SMALL TOWN GANG.

To download LInCS guidelines and applications, visit the producer resources page on the ITVS website at www.itvs.org or phone (415) 356-8383 ext. 230. The ITVS LInCS Programming and Production Manager is Heidi Schuster. The deadline for LInCS applications is April 30, 2001.

About ITVS

Unique in American public television, the Independent Television Service (ITVS) was established by Congress to fund and present programs that “involve creative risks and address the needs of underserved audiences, especially children and minorities,” while granting artistic control to independent producers. ITVS has funded more than 375 programs for public television since its inception in 1991. Critically acclaimed ITVS programs include THE FARMER’S WIFE, AN AMERICAN LOVE STORY, FORGOTTEN FIRES, Emmy Award–winners SING FASTER: THE STAGEHANDS’ RING CYCLE, SCHOOL PRAYER: A COMMUNITY AT WAR, GIRLS LIKE US and NOBODYS BUSINESS, the Peabody Award–winning documentaries TRAVIS, A HEALTHY BABY GIRL, COMING OUT UNDER FIRE and THE GATE OF HEAVENLY PEACE, and duPont Award–winners TAKEN IN: THE LIVES OF AMERICAS FOSTER CHILDREN and STRUGGLES IN STEEL: A STORY OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN STEELWORKERS. For information contact ITVS at 51 Federal St., First Floor, San Francisco, CA 94107; E-mail: itvs@itvs.org or visit the ITVS web site at www.itvs.org.

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LOCAL INDEPENDENTS COLLABORATING WITH STATIONS (LInCS) FUND, a funding initiative from the Independent Television Service (ITVS), provides incentive or matching monies ($10,000-$75,000) for collaborations between public television stations and independent producers. Single shows and interstitial packages will be considered, as will projects in any genre or stage of development. Programs should stimulate civic discourse and break traditional molds of exploring complex regional, cultural, political, social or economic issues. Indie film and videomakers are encouraged to seek collaborations with their local public television stations. Download applications and guidelines at www.itvs.org, E-mail Heidi_Schuster@itvs.org or call 415.356.8383, ext. 230. Deadline: April 30, 2001.