ABOUT THE ROUNDHOUSE FILM FUND
Do you have an incredible short film idea? Roundhouse Film Fund supports 3 emerging filmmakers to create new short films exploring social and political issues from their unique perspectives. They’ll give you £1,000 plus support to make it happen, and have it screened at the Roundhouse!
Twice a year the Roundhouse Film Fund commissions 3 micro short films, the Film Fund support is split into two sections.
- An opportunity for an early career filmmaker / director to cut their teeth and create a professionally commissioned film. Roundhouse supports the filmmakers through the development, prep and production stages with resources, mentoring and access to kit and studios.
- Support for the filmmaker and their producer (if they have one) to create a distribution and platforming strategy and their next career steps through mentoring, screening, contacts and platforming.
WHAT YOU GET
- £1000 production budget for you to spend on making your film
- A professional mentor with industry experience and connections, chosen to support your specific needs and ambitions
- Additional in-kind production support and advice from Roundhouse producers
- Equipment: access to the Roundhouse in-house camera, sound and lighting kit and/or loan from the kit house VMI up to an insurable value of £100,000*
- £1K towards working with a Bucks Music Group writer to compose the score for the filmmaker’s film, as well as access to and free use of the Standard production music library, mentorship with a Bucks sync & media rights team member and a masterclass for advice on music clearances, original composition, music licencing, music rights
- The chance to showcase your film at a public screening event programmed by the Roundhouse and then later down the line a Roundhouse supported online launch via Roundhouse channels
- Free Roundhouse Creative Studios Membership valid for 12 months from registration
- Your film will be submitted for the Wiggin Emerging Filmmakers Award in Winter 2023. The winner of the award will receive £8,000 to develop their film career. The award will be facilitated by the Roundhouse. Winners will also receive mentorship and support from various industry professionals including Wiggin professionals
- Distribution planning support and masterclasses after the screening
WHO THEY’RE LOOKING FOR
This is an independent study programme, so you will need to already have all the relevant skills necessary to make your film. But they will pair you with industry professional mentors who can share their experience and advice, chosen to support your specific needs and ambitions.
Roundhouse are looking for applications from directors who are 18-25 years old. They encourage application partnerships with producers, but this isn’t necessary. In order to benefit from the distribution strategy section of the fund, producers must be 18-30 years old.
The Film Fund aims to commission and support a creative and innovative artistic approach to presenting socially relevant films that are entertaining, enlivening and inspiring for audiences. They want to offer a platform for open-minded discussion, radical thinking and balance wherever possible, building on the heritage of the Roundhouse as a platform for cultural revolution.
This fund was previously known as the Roundhouse Online Film Fund. As with its popular predecessor, the fund exists to support the next generation of filmmakers in creating dynamic, experimental content, with the added bonus of providing screening opportunities at Roundhouse festivals and shows.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- Filmmaker/directors who are 18-25 years old. If a producer is involved they must be 18-30 years old.
- To be successful you will need to have a strong film idea and the skills/experience you need to make it.
- They’re open to all genres of films – from narrative to animation, documentary to experimental – but the film must be under 5 minutes in duration.
- Your film should be about social and/or political issues from your perspective. It should reflect the time we are living in now and identify the issue(s) which are most important to you.
- Filmmakers need to be based in the UK. They accept applications from across the nation, but please bear in mind that some of the awards resources are based in London, i.e. Roundhouse Studios and VMI kit house. So you will need to consider that practicality if applying from outside of London.
- They can only support shoots that take place in the UK.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply you will need to fill in their online application form, that includes writing a treatment (a 2-3 page document outlining your film idea). Please download and read their terms and conditions, and their guide to writing a treatment. When you are ready fill in their online application form where you will be able to include a link (google drive, dropbox etc) to your treatment.
The deadline for this round of applications is Mon 24 July, 10am. Interviews take place on Tue 8 and Wed 9 August.
If you have any questions about the fund or the application process please do get in touch at media.projects@roundhouse.org.uk.
I HAVE ADDITIONAL NEEDS. WHAT SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE?
Roundhouse is committed to supporting D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse young people, those with medical conditions, access requirements or any lived experience that may require adaptation, support or sensitivity. If there is anything you would like to let them (their youth workers, tutors or staff) know that will support your enjoyment and access, you can do so by emailing us at advicebase@roundhouse.org.uk, and they will contact you to discuss further how to best support your engagement.
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