Tomorrow night, the Community Film Workshop of Chicago hosts the free, public launch of Diverse Voices in Docs, a new professional development and mentorship program for emerging documentary makers of color. Please join us.

Created through collaboration between Community Film Workshop and Kartemquin Films, and backed by funding from Joyce Foundation and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, we are hoping to mentor 20 emerging docmakers over 6 months as they work on projects. The deadline for applications is December 17th. Get more details on the program and apply online today.

Judging by the early applications we have already received and the enthusiastic support among the media and film community, it confirms our opinion that there is a definite need out there for this program. We look forward to discussing it more with the community tomorrow in the hopes of making the program a great resource for Midwest documentary storytellers.

Thanks to the following for supporting the program already! We hope more people will spread the word!

• Shadow and Act / IndieWIRE
• Huffington Post
• NAMAC
• Gapers Block
• Chicagoist
• Reel Chicago
• Examiner.com

Chicago Doc Filmmakers: Check out @kartemquin's Diverse Voices In Docs kick-off event on Thursday: ow.ly/f26Zj

— TribecaFilmInstitute (@TribecaFilmIns) November 6, 2012

Does anyone know if there's a UK equivalent?: “Diverse Voices in Docs” to give new opportunities to filmmakers of color kartemquin.com/diversevoices

— DocGeeks (@DocGeeks) November 1, 2012

@kartemquin & Community Film Workshop launch “Diverse Voices in Docs” to give new opportunities to filmmakers of colorkartemquin.com/diversevoices

— Ra Joy (@Ra_Joy) October 31, 2012

Diverse Voices in Docs I ow.ly/eT5fsI Check it out #Chicago!

— TheOpEdProject (@TheOpEdProject) October 31, 2012

Props to @kartemquin for starting Diverse Voices in Docs, new filmmaking mentorship program for producers of color! kartemquin.com/diversevoices

— Karim Ahmad (@the_karachi_kid) October 30, 2012

New @kartemquin Diverse Voices fund for emerging filmmakers. Applications now open kartemquin.com/diversevoices

— BBC Storyville (@bbcstoryville) October 30, 2012