Skip to main content
search
All Posts By

Jun 21
Love0

MAC Introduction to Filmmaking

By Training No Comments

Midlands Art Centre – Introduction to Filmmaking

Learn the art and techniques of film making and develop your ideas from script writing, filming, and editing.

What will you learn on this course?

Learn all the necessary skills to make a short film. Experience the entire process from developing ideas, writing a script, producing, directing, filming and editing.

You will work with MAC’s professional cameras and specialist sound recording equipment and learn how to edit using Final Cut Pro in MAC’s dedicated media studio.

This is a practical course taught through demonstrations and guidance from the tutor along with hands on experience. You will work in small groups to realise your ideas, enabling you to experience all aspects of short film production.

On completion of this course, you can expect to have developed an understanding of the film making process and produced your own short film.

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for adults aged 18+ years. It is open to beginners and improvers, suitable for those who are completely new to film making and those with some existing skills, including those who have attended the course before.

This course may be accessible for people with disabilities. The room is wheelchair accessible. A support worker or carer may assist; carers must book a complimentary ticket if attending to provide support. Please contact us to discuss your specific accessibility needs.

Do you need to bring anything?

Please bring a 32GB USB stick or external hard drive so that you can take your work home. MAC cameras and computers are provided whilst on site only. If you wish to film off site, you will need to provide your own equipment.

Are there any additional costs?

The course is priced from £169.50. All materials are provided. A memory stick must be provided at your own cost.

Who teaches this course?

Martin McNally graduated from Winchester School of Art (Southampton University) with a 2:1 Fine Art BA Hons, and has since gained a PTLLS teaching qualification. He has a love for all types of creative expression, however, drawing, animation and filmmaking in particular are at the core of his practice.

Autumn course dates

Online booking for this event opens at 09:00 on 01 Jul 2023.

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Jun 20
Love0

Stop Gap Grants

By Funding No Comments

Immediate support to help manage urgent financial needs

The Film & TV Charity’s Stop Gap Grants can provide you with immediate support to help manage urgent financial needs.

If you’re facing financial barriers that are holding you back, we’re here to support you. If you work behind the scenes in film, TV or cinema, then you may be eligible to apply for a Stop Gap Grant. Our one-off stop gap grants of up to £750 could help with unexpected costs or allow you to access a career opportunity when lack of financial capital is holding you back.

To be eligible to apply you must:

  • Work in a behind-the-scenes role in film or television in the UK
  • Be involved in creating or distributing entertainment that is shown in cinemas, broadcast on UK TV channels or on-demand services, or streamed on pay-to-view digital platforms.

How long do you need to have been working in the industry?

You will have had at least 40 days of paid work in the last 18 months or have worked at least two years in film and TV and are seeking funding to return to work after a career break.

Support for cinema workers:

We provide limited support to front-of-house cinema workers, including free access to our Support Line and online resources, but are only able to provide financial support including our stop-gap grants to individuals from back office or technical teams that have worked full-time in the cinema trade for at least 18 months in the last two years.

Please read our full eligibility criteria and guidance to find out more before completing your application below.

Stop Gap Grant Application Form:

Overview

Thank you for your interest in the Stop Gap Grant, a one-off grant of up to £750 to meet urgent need or enable you to access a career opportunity when lack of financial capital is holding you back. Our awards will be prioritised to those who are experiencing the greatest need and have the least financial resilience.

The form consists of the following sections:

  • Our eligibility checklist
  • Your personal details
  • Your professional experience
  • Your current financial situation and needs, including a budget form
  • Your agreement and declaration

To apply for the grant, you will need three pieces of evidence:

  • At least one online profile from either BFI, IMDb, Screenskills, Mandy or Talent Manager. If you don’t have any of these then we can consider, at our discretion LinkedIn or similar. Vimeo or YouTube is not preferred as a source of evidence
  • Documentation such as three payslips, P45 or P60 invoice, or at least three remittance advice or contracts
  • Current CV including details of your last three jobs
  • You will also need to provide a professional referee

You will also need access to:

  • Basic details of your work history
  • Basic details of your current finances (including any income, expenditure, debts, and savings)

Click here to complete the application form.

If you require support to complete this form or have any questions, please contact the Grants Team at grants@filmtvcharity.org.uk

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Jun 20
Love0

Roundhouse Film Fund

By Funding No Comments

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Terms and conditions

Writing a treatment guide

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Jun 19
Love0

Channel 4 x NFTS online training

By Training No Comments

Channel 4 x NFTS: Script and Story

Channel 4 and the National Film and Television School (NFTS) have an exciting week of online sessions that are all free and open to anyone to join. The theme of the week is Script and Story. Kicking off on Monday 26th June, these exciting sessions will offer unique insights from a wide range of film & television experts, who will share their expertise and discuss the opportunities & challenges of successfully bringing your stories to life on the screen.

MONDAY 26TH JUNE 2023

10:30 – 12:00 Masterclass with John Yorke – In Search of the Perfect Story

In this opening masterclass, John Yorke, widely acknowledged as the UK’s foremost expert on story, will take you on a tour on the origins of narrative structure, and how you can apply it to tell increasingly powerful narratives. There will be the chance to ask John questions at the end of the session.

16:00 – 17:00 Writers’ Rooms: Managing One, Working in One and Putting Them Together

In this session, screenwriter Matthew Barry will focus on UK & UK writers’ rooms. He will address frequently asked questions, unpack some of the concerns and potential pitfalls, as well as give advice on how to get the most out of the room, whatever its size or duration.

TUESDAY 27TH JUNE 2023

09:00 – 10:00 Drama Compliance – How To Get Away with Murder!

Join Channel 4’s Drama Compliance Editors, Danielle Jenkins & Ritu Emmerson, as they help you to navigate the tricky world of complying script content and how Channel 4 can support you.

11:00 – 12:00 Adapting Games Narrative to the Screen

Screenwriter Jessica Sinyard will join in conversation with Neil McPhillips (Head of Games, Operations) and Alan McDonald (Development Executive and screenwriter) from Blazing Griffin to discuss the challenges and nuances of adapting gaming narrative to the screen, from both a games and a screenwriting/production perspective. How do you translate the interactive experience into a linear story.

14:00 – 15:00 Adapting for the Screen

In this session, screenwriter Andrea Gibb (Mayflies, Elizabeth Is Missing, Swallow & Amazons) & Claire Armspach, Head of Drama Development at STV will discuss what the opportunities and pitfalls are of adapting from a book or real-life source material.

WEDNESDAY 28TH JUNE 2023

10:00 – 11:00 Comedy Writing – The Mask Slips

Screenwriter & director, Hannah Robinson, will discuss the theory of the Comedy Mask and the techniques with which to make your comedy scripts work harder. There will be the chance, at the end of the session, to ask Hannah questions.

12:00 – 13:00 From Soaps and Continuing Dramas to Getting Your Own TV Show

In this session with Ben Wadey, Commissioning Executive at Channel 4, we will explore the pathways available through development and the transition from soaps to continuing drama to getting your own TV show commissioned.

14:00 – 15:30 Script Analysis & The Magic of Feedback

Join Jordi Wijnalda (filmmaker, festival programmer and film teacher) as he examines how a screenplay can actually improve on the way to becoming a film. This one-off interactive workshop examines some of the intricacies of script analysis – as well as the power of critical, yet generous, feedback – on the journey from script to screen. It aims to enhance the working relationships between writers, directors, producers, and those closest to them in the creative process and, by extension, the lasting quality of the films they make together.

THURSDAY 29TH JUNE 2023

10:00 – 12:00 Pitch Me Perfect

Whether you’re writing, directing, or producing, and whether your project is a short, feature, or TV series, you’ll likely be doing a lot of pitching! The good news is that pitching skills can be learned easily and adapted to your project, pitching circumstances, and your own personality. This session covers it all. Learn to identify your project’s hook and make it exciting, prepare effectively, and deliver a perfect pitch in various situations. Discover strategies for managing nerves, showcasing authenticity, and creating connections. PITCH ME PERFECT is a fun and interactive session with ample Q&A time. The session is led by Sasha Damjanovski, writer, director and producer and coach specialising in pitching and public speaking.

13:00 – 14:00 Script Editing & Development

David P Davis (Founder & Creative Director of 5 Acts Productions) and Gwawr Lloyd (Drama Commissioning Editor, Channel 4) discuss the realities of the script development process, with views from both sides of the table.

15:00 – 16:30 Virtual Production and Storytelling

Screenwriter Steven Lally will take us through the creative processes involved in the making of Fireworks – one of the very first films in the UK to be made using real-time Virtual Production technology within an LED volume. This session will include a screening of the film and a chance to ask questions at the end.

FRIDAY 30TH JUNE 2023

10:00 – 11:00 Next Steps For Your Script

Join New Writing North alongside a panel of industry speakers, as they host a session for inspiring screenwriters with advice and expertise on building your profile, sustaining a career, finding an agent and looking for opportunities.

 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Jun 15
Love0

Clean Air Day

By Uncategorized No Comments

Clean Air Day celebration event encourages small changes to make a big difference.

On Thursday 15 June, shoppers and commuters at Birmingham’s Grand Central had the opportunity to make a personal pledge to improve air quality at an event to mark the UK’s largest campaign on air pollution, Clean Air Day.

Birmingham residents attending the event were be able to talk to Birmingham City Council’s Brum Breathes team to find out more about the work they are doing to improve the city’s air.

Visitors to the event were able to make pledges to use more public transport, to walk more, or to stop idling their car engines, each of which have been identified as simple steps that can make a major impact on air quality.

The event follows the recent launch of the Brum Breathes Fund, which offers a total of £4million in funding to deliver projects that contribute to cleaner air in every ward of the city.

Councillor Liz Clements, Cabinet Member for Transport at Birmingham City Council, said: “Everybody can make positive changes when it comes to improving air quality in the city, and there’s no better time to underline this than Clean Air Day. Through events like this, we can share our message and help build understanding of how small actions can make a big difference“.

Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone

Birmingham City Council introduced a Clean Air Zone in the centre of Birmingham (within the A4540 Middleway) on Tuesday 1 June 2021. In March last year, Birmingham City Council said levels of nitrogen dioxide had dropped 13% since the Clean Air Zone was introduced.

The Clean Air Zone is in operation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, which means film and tv productions must take this into consideration when looking to shoot in the centre of Birmingham.

No vehicle is banned in the zone, but vehicles that do not meet the emission standards for the zone are subject to a daily fee. The daily fee can be paid online or by phone and it is important to note that a charging day is from midnight to midnight. If you do need to pay the daily fee you can do so six days before your day of travel, the day of travel or six days after your day of travel.

People living inside Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone have now lost their exemption from paying charges, as of 1st June 2023. It means any resident driving a vehicle not compliant with the zone’s emission standards will have to pay £8 from now onwards. The city council said it has contacted the owners of 2,382 vehicles which still had the active exemption up to the 1st June.

“There has been an extensive programme of communication to holders of this exemption and they are being reminded that, if they work in the Zone, they may be eligible for the Council’s vehicle scrappage grant,” the council said.

“It is important to note that the end of the temporary residents’ exemption does not impact on the permanent exemptions that are in place, which include categories such as emergency vehicles, vehicles with disabled passenger tax class, community vehicles and recovery vehicles.”

To find out if you need to pay the daily fee, visit the GOV.UK website.

For more information about Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone, visit our website.

Sources: www.brumbreathes.co.uk & www.bbc.co.uk/news 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Jun 15
Love0

The Creative Industries Sector Vision

By Uncategorized No Comments

This sector vision sets out how the government and industry will work together to unlock the growth potential of the creative industries.

The government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport confirmed their commitment to the creative industries as a high-growth priority sector. They announced their ambitious plans to grow the economy and boost creative industries, releasing the following statement:

“Our creative industries are a true British success story. They drive economic growth at home – contributing £108 billion in 2021 to the UK economy – and are a brilliant global advert for our creativity and values.

This government is determined to build on their world class excellence and I am today publishing a Creative Industries Sector Vision that will make sure we do that. This Vision is about maximising growth, nurturing young people’s talent and delivering on the creative potential that exists right across the country. By 2030 – working with industry – we plan to grow these industries by £50 billion of gross value added and support a million extra jobs with a pipeline of talent and opportunity for young people.

This sector vision sets out our 2030 goals and objectives to deliver on this. It is a vision for the creative industries to become an even greater growth engine and where creative talent from all backgrounds, and creative businesses from all areas in the UK, can thrive.”

One of the Prime Minister’s priority sectors for economic growth, the creative industries are a global British success story growing at more than 1.5 times the rate of the wider economy over the past decade and contributing £108 billion in gross value added (GVA) annually.

Employment in these industries has grown at five times the rate of the rest of the economy since 2011. Speaking at the London Tech Week conference on Monday 12th June, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that Britain’s creative industries were “going like gangbusters” and represent a “unique strength” for the country.

The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said:

“The creative industries are a true British success story, from global music stars like Adele and Ed Sheeran to world-class cultural institutions like the National Theatre.”

“These industries have a special place in our national life and make a unique contribution to how we feel about ourselves as a country.”

“We want to build on this incredible success to drive growth in our economy – one of my key priorities – and to ensure that UK creative industries continue to lead the world long into the future.”

“Backed up with significant new funding, this ambitious plan will help grow the sector by an extra £50 billion while creating one million extra jobs by 2030.”

Culture Secretary, Lucy Frazer, said:

“The imagination and ingenuity of British designers, producers, content creators, writers and artists are spearheading growth right across our economy.”

“The government is backing our creatives to maximise the potential of the creative industries. This Sector Vision is about driving innovation, attracting investment and building on the clusters of creativity across the country. And from first days at school to last days of work, we will nurture the skills needed to build a larger creative workforce to harness the talent needed for continued success.”

“Working with the industry this vision is helping the UK creative sectors go from strength to strength – providing jobs and opportunities, creating world leading content and supporting economic growth across the country.”

You can read the Creative Industries Council and DCMS’ full vision here:

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Jun 13
Love0

BFI NETWORK x BFI Film Academy online mentoring

By Training No Comments

BFI NETWORK x BFI Film Academy+ Midlands online mentoring 2023/24

BFI NETWORK, with support from the BFI Film Academy+, is providing Midlands-based film producers, directors and screenwriters with the opportunity to spend three 60-minute mentoring sessions with an industry professional who will advise on projects and/or creative practice.

Due to the nature of the funding, this programme is designed for people 18-25 living in the midlands. However, on occasion and where appropriate we will invite applications from those 26 and over.
Please note, spaces on this mentoring programme are limited due to budget constraints.

HOW IT WORKS

You will have three 60 minutes mentoring sessions via Zoom. Filling in this short application before the sessions will help your assigned mentor understand where you are right now, as well as where you’d like to be in your filmmaking practice. These questions will also help you to focus on what you want to bring to the session and what you’d like to achieve in your time working together.

Once assigned to a mentor we will send you their name, email address and a copy of your answers; it will be your responsibility to organise sessions directly.

ABOUT OUR MENTORS

All of our mentors are full-time professionals working in the film industry. They bring a wealth of industry insight and experience to our programme.

PRIVACY

We may share your name, email address, and Skype ID with external mentors and coaches to help your development. For more information on our privacy policy, see our website HERE.

HOW TO APPLY

You can apply by completing their form HERE.

 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Jun 09
Love0

Festivals on Festivals

By Uncategorized No Comments

May was a month full of wonderful cinema screenings, workshops, and awards.

FLATPACK FESTIVAL

Flatpack Festival took place over 16th – 21st May across Birmingham, celebrating not only festival no. 17, but also twenty years as an organisation. The festival programme was split into 10 sections, ranging from their Colour Box films for children to their Time Machine archive films. The events were in over 13 locations through the city, including the iconic Moseley Road Baths and the beautiful Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

The festival’s 2023 winners were The Shimmering Extraordinary for the Screendance Award, Birdsong for the Optical Sound Short Film Award, Hardly Working for the WTF Award, Princess Aubergine for the Colour Box Award, and Green Space for the Short Film Award.

WOLVERHAMPTON FILM FESTIVAL

Wolverhampton Film Festival, co-founded by local talents Gurjant Singh and Arun Kapur, was 3 days of magic. From the 26th – 28th May there were fantastic screenings, panel discussions, and networking events in the Newhampton Arts Centre. The awards ceremony at the Molineux Stadium, home of the Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C, was a brilliant atmosphere, with many winners taking home their glass trophies.

BIRMINGHAM PRIDE FESTIVAL

Pride month has now begun, with Birmingham celebrating early with our Pride Festival kicking off on the 27th May. The celebrations continue through the city, with local community cinemas like Journey Film Club doing LGBT+ screenings. The BFIs new release Pretty Red Dress, debut feature from writer and director Dionne Edwards, will also be screening at The Mockingbird Cinema from 16th June.

UPCOMING FESTIVALS

There are many more festivals to come over June, with Fighting Spirit Film Festival staring off with their The Bruce Lee Marathon. The 7th Midlands Movies Awards red carpet ceremony will be on the 10th June at Y Theatre. The Windrush Caribbean Film Festival will continue celebrating the Windrush Generation at the Midlands Art Centre from 13th – 15th June.

Birmingham Indian Film Festival will also be at the MAC and The Electric from 23rd June – 2nd July, screening international festival successes alongside the ever-popular Too Desi Too Queer and new Brit-Asian Shorts programmes. The SAFAR Film Festival is the largest festival in the UK dedicated to cinema from the Arab world, which will be screening at the MAC from 5th – 9th July.

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Jun 07
Love0

BFI x INTERMISSION FILM: Trailer Competition

By Training No Comments

HAVE YOUR SHOT AT CUTTING YOUR OWN TRAILER FOR HORACE OVÉ’S “PRESSURE”

BFI & Intermission Film are running a film trailer editing competition for the forthcoming re-release of Horace Ové’s landmark feature PRESSURE (1976). Hailed as Britain’s first black feature film, PRESSURE is a hard-hitting, honest document of the plight of disenchanted black youths in 1970s London.

PRESSURE has been restored by the BFI National Archive and The Film Foundation, with funding provided by the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation. Previously very hard to see in cinemas, this vital partnership allows us to bring this key, Black British film to the big screen to be (re)discovered by audiences.

Entrants will submit a 30-90 second trailer for the re-release, after which three shortlisted entrants will be offered free in-house mentoring and training with Intermission’s award-winning editorial and production team to craft and polish their trailer, alongside a bursary of £500. These trailers will then be judged with the winning trailer spearheading the BFI re-release campaign for PRESSURE this coming autumn, ahead of its release on 17th November.

The winner will also receive an additional £500 and a fixed-term position with Intermission to work on future projects and further their career.

No experience is required to enter the competition, and they encourage entry-level applicants to take part. The final fixed-term position at Intermission will be an entry-level role. Applications close on Wednesday 28th June 2023 at 5pm.

They are pleased to be working with sector leading partners BIFA, The Kusp and Ghetto Film School to seek out new creative talent. As well as Ninja Tune Production Music who have kindly provided tracks for the competition.

TIMELINE

  • Application deadline Wednesday 28th June 2023 at 5pm.
  • Three shortlisted entrants will contacted by the end of July 2023.
  • The shortlisted entrants will be invited to come in-house to Intermission Film for free mentoring and training at their London office, as well as receiving £500 each. This will be for one day a week, for three weeks in August – three days in total.
  • The winner will be offered an entry level full-time fixed-term position at Intermission in Autumn 2023.
  • Horace Ové’s feature PRESSURE release Friday 17th November 2023.

GUIDELINES

  • The trailer must not exceed 1GB in size
  • The trailer must not be shorter than 30 seconds, or longer than 90 seconds.
  • The music must only be chosen from the music selection provided by Ninja Tune Production Music, or the picture provided. You may record your own voice over or your own music if you wish.
  • All entrants MUST be the SOLE EDITOR of their own trailer.
  • The feature file must ONLY be used for the trailer editing competition. The file MUST NOT be shared with any third party or shared online.
  • Please only use the assets they supply for your entry’s edit.
  • Entrants can use any editing software. Please note they do not provide editing software for entrants to use.
  • Three shortlisted entrants will be offered in-house mentoring and training with Intermission, alongside a £500 bursary.
  • Entrants must be available to attend Intermission’s offices for mentoring/training. They can be flexible with dates/times to suit the entrant’s other commitments.
  • Travel bursaries are available upon request. If successful, they can discuss your travel and access requirements.
  • They regret that they are unable to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications, but all applicants will receive either a declination email or an invitation to the next stage.
  • No experience is required to enter the competition, and they encourage entry-level applicants to take part. The final fixed-term position at Intermission will be an entry level role.
  • The competition is open to students, so long as they are able to commit to a full-time fixed-term position in Autumn 2023, should they be successful.
  • Intermission and BFI are committed to ensuring that they support applicants from a range of backgrounds and they encourage applications by those currently underrepresented in the industry.
  • You must be a UK resident to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

Entrants must submit an interest form via the Google Form HERE in order to receive the full feature for their edit.

Once entrants have completed the edit of their trailer, they must submit their MP4 file (H264 or equivalent) via the Google Form HERE.

If you have any questions, please email films@intermissionfilm.com and they will get back to you as soon as possible. In the spirit of fairness, please note that they are unable to give informal feedback via this email but are happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Jun 07
Love0

Sky Documentaries Shorts Initiative

By Funding No Comments

ABOUT THE INITIATIVE 

Sky Documentaries, the home of world-class, real-life stories from award-winning and emerging film makers, has launched its first documentary shorts fund in partnership with APEX to inspire filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds.

The Sky Documentaries Shorts Initiative will provide up to £500,000 to fund several documentary shorts throughout the year, with a runtime of 10-30 minutes. The initiative will support creative talent from underrepresented minorities who face barriers to opportunities, due to mental health or disability, and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic or traveller communities. This new program will invest in and spotlight a new wave of UK filmmaking talent, ensuring a clear and accessible pathway for filmmakers interested in creating distinctive and quality shorts, as a stepping-stone to longer form content for Sky Documentaries and beyond.

ELIGABILITY

Do you have a passion and determination to tell fresh and thought-provoking stories? Do you have industry experience as a producer, assistant producer, development exec, editor or director, but have not yet directed a terrestrial or SVOD hour? Are you a UK resident? If so, we want you to apply! We will partner chosen talent with experienced factual producers who will provide mentorship and production support throughout the process.

THE BRIEF

The brief is simple – bring us your best story. The short should be artistically ambitious, whether an intimate biography, intriguing sporting history, jaw-dropping crime mystery or something else. Your film may reflect on major global events that resonate universally or be inspired by something altogether different and extraordinary.

We are looking for filmmakers who will craft shorts that prioritise the story, are specific, engaging and driven by a clear original vision. We are not looking for anything hosted by a presenter.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should apply with a CV and a written treatment of their idea with a creative outline no longer than two pages. Submitting a tape is not required but will be considered if sent.

Applicants must be a UK resident to apply and only one application per person will be accepted.

The Sky Documentaries Shorts Initiative will be accessible throughout the year and further opportunities to apply for the fund will be announced in Autumn. If you have any queries, please contact SkyDocsShorts@sky.uk

Sign in to take part HERE.

 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Close Menu