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We are applying for a the Sundance documentary grant. That is right, the Sundance. Maybe you have heard of it? It is super competitive. They fund 60 films or fewer per year out of over 2,000 applicants.

Girlworld fits the Sundance documentary mission so perfectly.  Sundance funds feature documentaries “about pressing human rights, social justice, civil liberties and related topics from the US and internationally. Proposals to the Documentary Fund are evaluated on effective storytelling, global relevance, originality, artistic innovation and potential social engagement.”

How Girlworld is that? We have to apply.

Sundance wants to see AT LEAST 20 minutes of continuous footage. At first I was simply going to submit our 30 minute short, Three. But as I was writing the description of the work sample on the grant application, it didn’t feel right.

So, I called up our documentary Guardian Angel, Chris Boulton. He tried to keep his feedback light and simple. He knew what he really wanted to tell me would mean hours more work for me at the editing bay. But he had to let it loose. And let loose he did.

“Cut the music,” he told me.

My stomach tightened and for just a small moment stopped liking Chris, our dear friend and reliable consultant, altogether.

“What was I thinking, asking for feedback? I don’t really want feedback!”

I love our Nepali music. We have the rights to it and everything.

“Don’t use the music as a crutch, ” Chris said.

I will break down his argument in list form here (in my own words):

The music takes away the tension. These girls are in life or death situations. The music is… nice. Saccharin.

The music gives the impression that this is another movie for westerners to feel guilty-yet-hopeful about the human condition and about the poor brown people living somewhere over there.

The music is manipulative.

Did the Maysles brothers use music in Salesman?

Chris, say no more. Thank you for the intervention.

I cut the music.

Here is our new 20 minute trailer:

If you want to see it bigger, head over to Vimeo and watch there in full, glorious HD.

What do you think?