Barry Jenkins to Select Next Recipient of Indie Memphis Black Filmmaker Residency for Screenwriting

Indie Memphis is excited to announce the return of the Indie Memphis Black Filmmaker Residency for Screenwriting, supported by the Remembering George Riley Fund. The 2019 Resident will be selected by Academy Award-winning screenwriter/director, BARRY Jenkins and will receive two months housing in Memphis, a $7,500 unrestricted cash grant, professional support, and round-trip travel accommodations. Their screenplay must be for a feature-length film to be produced in Memphis.

"Memphis is seeking to be a center for black indie film, so we're thrilled to bring this Residency back as an opportunity to introduce the city to a curious and talented filmmaker," says Indie Memphis Artistic Director Miriam Bale. "We were overwhelmed with creative stories last year and are thrilled that the brilliant BARRY Jenkins will be setting his eyes on the submissions from our top four finalists this year."

The purpose of this residency is to provide opportunity for under-represented artists in filmmaking to develop bold storytelling to ultimately be filmed in the Memphis-area. Indie Memphis is looking to support one narrative feature film project and priority will be given to the story deemed most original, daring, intelligent, emotionally resonant, and realistic to produce. Last year's Resident was filmmaker Alexander Huggins, whose project MASON DIXON received support from the festival.

Applicants must describe why they believe their film should be produced in Memphis, TN. The setting of the story may or may not be Memphis and the residency will offer an opportunity for initial location scouting and inspiration from the geography and environment.

The residency is provided during the two month time-frame of September 16th to November 16th 2019. No exceptions will be made to the timeline. The residency will include artist participation in events during the Indie Memphis Film Festival the first week of November.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm CST on March 31, 2019.

Photo Credit: David Bornfriend