Q: Who is eligible to apply to Maisha?
A: You have to be a citizen of Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda for East Africa or India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh for South Asia. Dual citizens will not be accepted unless both countries of citizenship fall within the target countries. You must have a completed short film script ready for submission.

Q: I was born in East Africa/South Asia but now reside abroad. Am I eligible?
A: Yes, you are eligible, as long as you retain citizenship of East Africa and/or South Asia. Again, dual citizenship will NOT be considered. Also, you will be required to cover your own travel costs.

Q: I am of East African/South Asian descent, but was born abroad. Am I eligible?
A: No. Maisha is geared only towards citizens of our target countries and not members of the diaspora.

Q: To what extent does Maisha cover travel costs?
A: Maisha will not cover ANY travel costs. Participants are responsible for getting themselves to and from Kampala.

Q: Will Maisha pay for the visa and vaccinations I need for Uganda?
A: No. The participant will have to cover all visa and vaccination expenses.

Q: What expenses will Maisha cover?
A: We will cover hotel expenses and meals for the duration of the lab.

Q: Who is eligible to apply as a filmmaker?
A: We are looking for people who have some industry experience and familiarity with the narrative form. Please bear in mind that your goal at Maisha should not be to produce a showreel, but to really learn about the mechanics of bringing one's story to the screen. Also note that only three films will be chosen to go into production, based on artistic credence, appropriateness of the story, and experience of the filmmaker. Filmmakers who are not chosen as one of the three directors can apply again in subsequent years.

Q: What is a treatment?
A: A treatment or more properly, a film treatment is a short prose telling of a story intended to be turned in a screenplay for a motion picture. It is generally shorter and less detailed than either an outline or a step outline but it may include details of directorial style that an outline omits.

Q: What kind of script are you looking for?
A: We encourage you to write whatever you feel passionately about, and it can't be longer than 10 pages. However, bear in mind that you will have restrictions if you are chosen to direct your film. You will only be allowed to cast 5 speaking parts, and maximum of 3 extras per shoot day. You must use mostly natural light (use of artificial lighting will have to be approved by the Maisha Artistic Director and Administrative Team). You will have a $100 budget for props and costumes.

Q: When and Where are the annual labs held?
A: The labs are held in Kampala, Uganda, usually from the third week of July to the second week of August (approximately). In 2007, we were in the Royal Impala Hotel in Munyonyo- the location of the 2008 Lab is yet to be determined but will be in Kampala.

Q: How long is the lab?
A: The lab spans about 25 days (including travel). Filmmaking participants must be present for the whole time.

Q: What will take place at the lab?
A: The first seven days of the lab will be for the directors to revise and rework their short 10 page scripts. Intermingled with this screenwriters’ session will be filmmaking workshops on directing, editing, and other aspects of the filmmaking process. There will also be specialized workshops for each type of crew member- cinematographers, editors, and sound mixers. The last 10 days of the lab will be devoted to production and then editing of the three shorts.

Q: What should I say in my cover letter?
A:Use the cover letter to introduce yourself and your project. Why do you want to be a filmmaker? How does your project fit into Maisha’s mission statement? We need to know what sets you apart from everyone else and what makes your project unique. Just write whatever you think we need to know about you!

Q: How should I format my resume/bio?
A: If you feel that a standard resume will properly represent you, we will accept that format. However, if you feel a biography will tell us more about you and is more relevant to your candidacy, please submit one. We basically want a concise and specific document of your talent, experience, and goals. Please, no more than 2 pages.

Q: Can I include additional supporting material, other than what you ask for in the application, (i.e. letters of recommendation, articles, music CDs, etc.)?
A: If you feel that a recommendation letter will help us get to know you better, feel free to submit one. However, please do not send an unreasonable amount of un-requested material. Please also bear in mind that no part of your application can be returned.

Q: What kind of equipment will I be using to shoot and edit?
A: We be using digital video and editing technology. Final Cut Pro, for We shoot on Sony HVR-V1E HDV Camcorders, record sound on the Sound Devices 702- T Recorder with the Sound Devices Mixers (both 2-channel and 4-channel), Sennheiser Wireless and shotgun Microphones, and Edit on Final Cut Pro.

Q: What kinds of crew members will be available to me during the Directors' Lab?
A: Maisha's Filmmakers' lab is a training program not only for filmmakers and screenwriters, but also for cinematographers, sound mixers, and editors. One of each type of crew member will be assigned to each director. Also bear in mind that only three filmmakers will be directing their short films, so fellow participants will also be serving as on-set crew members.

Q: Do I have to have directed a feature film to apply?
A: No. Your submission material can include any work (film, television, documentary, short film) that has your name in the credits- be it as a production designer, casting director, etc. We at Maisha want to assess will use these examples to assess your strengths and level of experience. We are shooting short films this year, so experience directing a feature is certainly not required. Familiarity with the industry is all you need.

Q: Can I send more than one application?
A: No, we only accept one application per person per year.

Q: What style or genre of feature film projects do you look for?
A: We don’t have a specific genre or style in mind for Maisha. What we want is something fresh and original from a culture that is underrepresented in the cinematic arena. With that in mind, we are looking for compelling and original ideas from creative people that are looking to work in the independent realm.

Q: Are adaptations of pre-existing material accepted?
A: We will accept adaptations of movies or plays as long as you hold the rights to the material, have permission from the rights holder, or the work is in the public domain.

Q: Can I submit a screenplay that is written by more than one person?
A: No. We would like to have the writer of the screenplay at Maisha so that they will be able to revise before starting the production segment of the session.

Q: Does my application have to be received, or postmarked by the deadline?
A: Your application must be received by the deadline date of February 1, 2008.¨

Q: How should I send my application?
A: We accept all mail carriers and delivery services, including the U.S. Postal Service, Federal Express, UPS, DHL, etc. We will not accept applications sent via fax or email. Our physical address is Maisha Foundation, Uganda National Theater, Plot 2, 4 & 6 Dewinton Road, Room F06, Kampala, Uganda. Our postal address for deliveries is P.O. Box 72156, Kampala, Uganda. The phone number is +256 712 63 99 04.

Q: How can I find out if you have received my application?
A: All applications will be acknowledged via email.

Q: Can I get any part of my submission returned to me?
A: No. Unfortunately any requests for returns would be impossible given the number of applications and accompanying materials that we receive.

Q: Can I apply to be an actor at the Filmmakers Lab?
A: No. Casting directors and the Maisha administrative team as well as the individual directors determine which actors are brought to the lab.

Q: I fit the eligibility requirements, but my script has nothing to do with my native culture. Will I have any chance of being considered?
A: In Maisha's mission statement, we say, "if we don't tell our stories, no one will." It's up to you to decide what "our stories" are, but Maisha's purpose is really to expose stories that nobody has heard from East Africa and South Asia.

Q: What is the selection process?
A: Our selection process is as follows:

1. All applications must be received by the date of the deadline.
2. All applications received will be acknowledged by email from the Program Director.
3. A review committee made up of industry experts from all over the world will review all applications and shortlist 25 potential participants.
4. All short-listed candidates will be interviewed, either via a meeting or telephone call.
5. All 25 short-listed candidates will be contacted via telephone and email advising them of their status.
6. The 9 final participants will be selected.
7. This entire process will take 4 months to complete.