Kartemquin Films, the award-winning non-profit documentary production collective behind “Life Itself” and “Hoop Dreams,” is now accepting applications for their 2016 Diverse Voices in Docs program.

Kartemquin, which just named Betsy Steinberg their new executive director, is based in Chicago. The Diverse Voices Program is a collaboration with the Community Film Workshop, also in Chicago.

Twenty emerging documentary filmmakers will be mentored during the six-month long program. Workshops will focus on skill-building and encourage networking and collaboration between the participants.

“Our goal is to empower ordinary citizens in the use of media and to provide them access to resources to produce first-voice social issue documentaries,” said Margaret Caples, the Executive Director of the Community Film Workshop.

Diverse Voices in Docs Coordinator Justin Williams added, “We really want filmmakers of color to consider applying for our 2016 Diverse Voices in Docs cohort and take their stories to the next level.”

The deadline to apply for next year’s program is December 19th, 2015.

You can apply and find further details on Kartemquin’s site.

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants should have played a principal role in a completed production (producer, writer, director, editor, etc.) and have experience or work history that demonstrated their commitment to social issue documentary.

Applicants are evaluated solely by their application

Applicants must be a legal US resident

Applicants must NOT be a full-time student

Applicants commit to participating in all aspects of the program and attending all 6 classes.

There is no application fee. An enrollment fee of $110 is due upon acceptance to the program.

Decisions will be based on finalist interviews and work samples.

The Diverse Voices in Docs program will not provide: project funding, legal advice, equipment or post-production access.

[via Shadow and Act]