September 7, 2016—In 2014 a 200-reel collection of the films and outtakes of local documentary filmmaker Jacques Madvo was donated to the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT). Madvo travelled the world from the 1960s to the 1980s, shooting 16mm footage that made its way into the People and Places documentaries he produced for TVO. The footage is a treasure trove of documentation of international culture and life from almost a half-century ago.

LIFT is an artist-run charitable organization dedicated to facilitating excellence in the moving image through media arts education and production resources. LIFT is calling for proposals from Toronto artists and filmmakers to make a short film (5 to 15 minutes) using footage from the Madvo collection. Filmmakers can propose works that explore personal cultural connections, interrogate the nature of documentary or look at the specific material qualities of filmmaking that the footage inspires.

LIFT welcomes proposals that employ either or both film and video processes in the reworking of this footage. Selected proposals will accompany a grant application that will raise completion money for the project. Upon successful funding, LIFT will commission the selected filmmakers in the creation of the proposed film, to a monetary limit set by the terms of the grant.

Please Note: Proposals are submitted on the understanding that the project’s execution is contingent on funding yet to be secured.

Countries represented in this collection include:

Brazil, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the UK, Venezuela, the Vatican, Yemen and the former Yugoslavia

Interested artists can set-up hour long appointments to view examples of the Madvo archive during office hours (Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 6:00pm) starting Wednesday September 21 through to Friday October 7, 2016 by emailing madvo@lift.on.ca

Please indicated the region and themes you are looking for.

A note on the nature of the use of archival footage:

As the collection will be donated to an appropriate archive after the end of this project, any proposed manipulation of the footage, while welcome, should plan for methods of safe-guarding the integrity of the original footage (ie. optical intermediaries, etc.).

LIFT enters into this project with the understanding that Jacques Madvo was a talented artist and is looking for artists who are interested in engaging with this material in that spirit.

Interested artists should submit proposals, including:

1. Proposal and Artist Statement (including what draws you to the project and what locations you are particularly interested in working with). Maximum 2 pages.

2. Curriculum vitae

3. Proposed Budget (Budget will be based on project needs. General guidelines are: maximum $1,500 cash, $2,000 lab services, and $2,000 in-kind LIFT equipment and facilities)

4. Visual support material of past work (do not send originals, documentation will not be returned). Accepted formats: URL links or DVDs (NTSC)

Submissions must be received no later than Friday, October 14, 2016 at 5:00pm.

Email submissions are preferred.

Email applications to madvo(at)lift.on.ca

Subject Heading: Madvo Collection

Mail or drop off applications to:

The Madvo Collection

c/o Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT)

1137 Dupont Street

Toronto, Ontario

M6H 2A3  CANADA

Questions to:

Executive Director Chris Kennedy at madvo(at)lift.on.ca

Subject Heading: LIFT Commission – The Madvo Collection

About LIFT

The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) is an artist-run charitable organization dedicated to facilitating excellence in the moving image through media arts education and production resources. LIFT exists to provide support and encouragement for independent filmmakers and artists through affordable access to production, post-production and exhibition equipment; professional and creative development; workshops and courses; commissioning and exhibitions; artist-residencies; and a variety of other services. Founded in 1981 by a small collective, LIFT has since grown to become one of the foremost centres of its kind globally. http://www.lift.ca