CAMDEN — The Camden International Film Festival (CIFF) and its Points North Documentary Forum will take place September 17-20, 2015.

For the second time, CIFF has received support from both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the National Endowment for the Arts for the 2015 Festival.

Following the success of the 2013 Academy-funded Then and Now program, the Academy returns to support the festival's new series Being There, a retrospective sidebar program and workshop series focused on the past, present and future of ethnographic documentary film.

CIFF has championed this growing movement around experimental, ethnographic documentary since the inaugural festival in 2005, screening the early works of directors such as David Redmon and Ashley Sabin, Robert Greene, Jessica Oreck, Jean Francois-Caissy, Sophie Benoot and many more.

Inspired by Leacock's famous description of his work as a "search for the feeling of being there," CIFF will highlight historically significant ethnographic films spanning 90 years, each of which demonstrates the potential of documentary to transport viewers to another world or to see the world through another set of eyes.

These screenings will be complemented by a series of in-depth interviews, workshops and master classes at CIFF's Points North Documentary Forum, focused on topics such as research methods, observational cinematography, documentary ethics and the blurred lines between ethnography and art.

CIFF also received renewed support from the National Endowment for the Arts' Arts Works program for the 2015 Camden International Film Festival and Points North Documentary Forum, with a focus on the expansion of its Points North Fellowship and its Engagement Summit.

The Points North Fellowship is a unique opportunity for documentary filmmakers to develop their works-in-progress at CIFF through a combination of focused industry mentorships, workshops, meetings, pitch training and a public pitch session, with additional support throughout the year.

Support from the NEA will provide audiences intimate access to filmmakers and an opportunity to experience the world's best documentary cinema, while building an extended community and a supportive environment for emerging filmmakers to focus on creative and professional development.

NEA Chairman Jane Chu said, "I'm pleased to be able to share the news of our support through Art Works including the award to the Camden International Film Festival and Points North Documentary Forum. The arts foster value, connection, creativity and innovation for the American people and these recommended grants demonstrate those attributes and affirm that the arts are part of our everyday lives."

"We're honored to be recognized by such prestigious establishments as the NEA and Academy, and already excited for 2015 Camden International Film Festival and expanded programs through Points North Documentary Forum," added Camden International Film Festival's Founder/Director Ben Fowlie.

Filmmakers may submit their completed documentaries starting January 5, 2015 when submissions for feature and short films open.

The Points North Fellowship submissions will open in Spring 2015. CIFF will also unveil some exciting new programs outside of their Fellowship and the Festival weekend to expand upon the support of emerging documentarians.

Check out CIFF's website for further information on upcoming programs and how to submit in the coming months.

www.camdenfilmfest.org