BFI NETWORK x Film Hub Midlands Stories to Shorts: Script Development Programme
Have an idea for a short film and want to develop it into a script? Keep reading.
The aim of the Stories to Shorts: Script Development Programme is to help writers and writer/directors develop an early-stage idea for a short film into a script over the course of two months. To develop their ideas writers will attend sessions online, meet regularly in-person with other writers to collaboratively work on projects and receive guidance from a script editor.
Over 9 weeks, selected writers will receive training sessions from screenwriter and script Editor Laura Jayne Tunbridge, take part in peer sharing sessions led by BFI NETWORK Talent Executives and receive 1 to 1 sessions with an assigned script editor to develop their short film script drafts.
The deadline to apply to the programme is Monday 2nd September 2024 at Midday
Who can apply?
Participation in the BFI NETWORK x Film Hub Midlands Short Film Development Programme is free and open to writers working in any creative discipline who have an idea for a short film up to ten minutes in length.
- Be able to be told in 10-minutes of screen time
- Have limited characters and locations to increase production viability
- Tell a story with a beginning, middle and end.
Film Hub Midlands will select up to ten writers based in the Midlands from submitted applications. With support from BFI Film Academy Plus delivered by Film Hub Midlands, four places on the programme will be held for emerging writers aged 18-26 from the Midlands.
Before you apply please note:
- Film Hub Midlands welcome applications from individuals as well as co-writing teams. You do not need to be working with a producer or director in order to apply.
- You must be based in the Midlands region (as defined by the BFI) and able to commit to attending a range of online writing and development sessions, as well as completing assigned writing work between meetings.
- Your script ideas must be original e.g. not based on existing novels, short stories or other literary works.
- This programme is for early short film script ideas, not ideas that are already in script form.
- Acceptance to this programme does not guarantee success in receiving BFI NETWORK Short Film Funding, due to reopen in early 2024
- The programme is free and training sessions will be online.
- The full programme schedule is to be confirmed.
Timeline:
- Applications open: Monday 5th August 2024
- Information roundtable: Monday 19th August / 12pm-1pm
- Applications close: Monday 2nd September 2024 at Midday
- Participants informed of place: Wednesday 18th September 2024
- Programme start date: 1st October 2024 (this date is subject to change)
You will need to be able to give 1.5 hours a week over 9 weeks to the programme and additional writing time.
How to apply:
Complete the online webform here. If you have any additional questions about the lab please contact Film Hub Midlands via bfinetwork@filmhubmidlands.org
For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Faceb