How to Apply

Applying for the retreat week is easy. Just write a letter to Susi Walsh and John Scagliotti explaining where you are from, what media work you have done and how you would contribute to the theme of our seminars- and describe briefly the 20-minute visual media you would be bringing to the “film slams.” Send the letter to John Scagliotti(stonewal@sover.net) and Susi Walsh (susi@documentaries.org). We expect to have more applicants than spaces so please respond as soon as possible. We’ll be putting the group together from your letters around May 30th,  which is around  the time the deposits are due. We do this so that you can make your summer plans.

Cost + Ammenities
The costs for filmmakers participating for the week is only $295 per person.
Includes: a single Cabin room for 7 nights (shared bathroom facilities), clean linens and towels, continental breakfasts, buffet lunches, and sit-down family style dinners, afternoon excursions to swimming holes and country outings, pick-up from the Bus or Train station in Brattleboro Vermont, and programmed Morning Seminars. Wireless internet availabile. Participants are asked to bring 20-minutes of their media on DVD or VHS for evening “film slams” in the Organ Barn with late night discussions (optional hot tub discussions) afterwards on the deck. Participants will be responsible for their travel to Treefrog Farm in Guilford or to a public transportation pick up spot in Brattleboro, Vermont. Once registered, more information will be emailed to you including suggested items to bring and directions. Note: while afternoon excursions are planned, you can use this time if you wish as ‘free time’ or as Kopkind calls it – “radical relaxation.”

Registration and Non-refundable deposits ($50) for the selected applicants are due by June 10th and full payment is due by July 15th. Deposit and payment checks should be made out to The Center for Independent Documentary and mailed to John Scagliotti, Administrator, Kopkind, 158 Kopkind Rd, Guilford, VT. 05301.  Slots are limited, so we recommend an early registration and deposit.

Kopkind and CID are able to offer this camp for filmmakers at such a reduced rate due to the generosity of their supporters. If you would like to help support filmmakers seminar, please contact us!

Questions about the seminars and retreat as well as the Grassroots Film Festival can be attained by emailing John Scagliotti at stonewal@sover.net. Also feel free to send this information to others who might want to participate. Thank you.

About Kopkind Filmmakers Retreat

Annie Berman of WIFV/NE reflects on her 2010 experience: documentaries.org
Radical Relaxation from NAMAC by JoAnn Wypijewski: namac.org

Prior participants of the seminars:
2010 Marcia Jarmel & Ken Schneider (San Francisco), James Demo (Boston), Susan Rivo (Boston), Annie Berman (New York), Ben Actenberg (Boston), Jesse Achtenberg (Washington DC), Gabriela Bohm (Los Angeles), Andrea Torrice (Cincinnati), Woody Bovota (Cape Cod)

2009 Dean Hamer (Washington, DC), Ann Bennett (NY, New York), Brett Story (Montreal, Canada), Sharon Arkin (Tucson, AZ), Sanford Lewis (Amherst, MA), Matt Gossage (Austin, TX), Kavita Pillay (Cambridge, MA), Betsy Kalin (Los Angeles, CA), Joan Mandell (Detroit, MI)

2008 Erin Sisk, Heather Kapplow, Betsy Kalin, Lynn Cadwallader, Terry Holzgreen, Daniella Broitman, Grace Shulner, Sarah Hesterman, Benedicte Naudin

2007 Nancy Kelly, Savanna Washington, Jonathan Skurnick, Karen Everett, Jim Wolpaw, Nancy Kates, Bennett Singer, Natalie Lardner, Carlyn Saltman and Tim McCarthy.

2006 Joel Katz , Nancy Kates, Robbie Leppzer, Alexandra de Gonzalez, Emily Kunstler, Deb Ellis, Eli Moore, Jenifer Kaplan, Rebecca Snedeker and Savanna Washington.