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Mar 06
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Made of Truth: BFI Doc Society Short Film Fund 2024

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Made of Truth: BFI Doc Society Short Film Fund 2024

The Made of Truth: BFI Doc Society Short Film Fund invites emerging storytellers from across all parts of the UK to share original and adventurous non-fiction stories that respond to the changing world around us.

Since 2018, the Made of Truth: BFI Doc Society Short Film Fund (“Made of Truth”) has proudly supported 61 original, short documentaries. They’re delighted to open for a new round of funding and to discover new voices from across the UK over the next 3 years.

What the fund can support

Made of Truth is part of BFI NETWORK and uses National Lottery funds to support all forms of short form non-fiction, including personal stories, hybrid work, artist films, essays, observational and social issue projects. The fund also considers VR and immersive projects whichare firmly rooted in non-fiction.

The fund can support up to 15 individual short documentaries each year with a maximum of £25,000 of grant funding. Films can be between 5-40 minutes in length.

They’re interested in new, cinematic and boundary-pushing ideas and encourage applications for projects that take creative leaps and filmmaking that takes risks on talent, form and content. The fund recognises the quality of difference in perspective, the importance of who is telling the story and strong collaborations.

Who can apply?

They’re looking for emerging creatives who are yet to make a non-fiction feature film (that has had professional distribution.) You may have a track record in another form or genre and are keen to make a short that helps develop your talent on the path to long-form documentary feature filmmaking, or you may have made a doc short or two already.

Made of Truth supports projects with directors based in the UK. This nation-wide programme endeavours to help more voices in more places contribute to distinctive, original storytelling. They can only fund applicants who are over the age of 18, and who are not in full-time education.

Made of Truth: BFI Doc Society Fund is committed to supporting a diverse community of filmmakers and working with creatives from underserved backgrounds including Ethnically diverse, Disabled, LGBTQIA+, Working class and non-filmmaking talent. They would like to hear from new storytellers from around the country and all communities and are especially keen to increase the number of projects originating outside London and from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

They strongly encourage Filmmakers to team up with a producer before applying, however you do not need a producer to apply as they can facilitate partnerships with producers for successful applicants.

Successful projects will receive creative and mentorship support from the BFI Doc Society team, and relevant industry partners.

How to apply

  1. Read the Before You Apply Checklist and comprehensive fund guidelines.
  2. Complete your application on apply.docsociety.org
  3. Applications close Mon. 15th Apr 2024 (12:00 BST)

Access support

BFI Doc Society is committed to making its funding accessible to all. TAPE Community Film and Music will be providing individually tailored support for applicants with access needs. Find all the details on what support you can receive and how to get the help required to make an application in this DOC document.

The Easy Read Introduction is a summary of information and does not supersede the main funding guidelines. If you want to apply for the Made of Truth: BFI Doc Society Short Film Fund you must read the full guidelines. Easy Read introduction to the Made of Truth: BFI Doc Society Short Film Fund (PDF) (DOC). You can listen to an audio version of the fund guidelines on Soundcloud.

Documents are provided in PDF and word format on the BFI Doc Society website for access purposes and are for preview only. All applications needs to be filled in on the application portal via your account. The preview documents include Fund Guidelines, Application Form Preview, Fund Q&As, Budget Template, and BFI Diversity Standards Form.

If you have any questions, please read the fund guidelines and the fund FAQ’s which aim to address questions asked regularly by applicants. You can also email on hello@docsociety.org, Watch the Made of Truth webinar here, or register here for a 1-2-1 advice session with the BFI Doc Society Fund team.

 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
Mar 06
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The Listening Pitch 2024

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Aesthetica X Audible: The Listening Pitch

What Can We Hear if We Listen Right Now?

In a world that’s never been louder, this year’s Listening Pitch challenges filmmakers to find extraordinary narratives that reflect the world around us. They can be personal or universal, and this year’s theme takes notice of global stories and human connection. They are looking for films that bring life to unheard voices, which resonate with audiences on a deep, emotional level. If you’re driven by the desire to tell powerful, evocative stories, this is your chance. They encourage filmmakers from all walks of life to share their unique perspective on the theme. Challenge the conventional, experiment with your craft and redefine what it means to truly listen.

How it works

  • Five filmmakers will be selected to present their idea at a live virtual pitch in May 2024.
  • A panel will review the pitches and a grant of £20k will be awarded to the filmmaker with the strongest idea.
  • The final film will be original and offer a new perspective on the theme.
  • It will premiere at the ASFF in November 2024 and also be shared on Audible and Aesthetica social channels.
  • Filmmakers from across the world are invited to apply for this grant.
  • They will also require the film to have subtitles available to meet accessibility requirements. Please supply two versions: one burnt on and one without.
  • They welcome submissions from first-time filmmakers and those underrepresented in the industry.
  • This is a documentary film grant only.

Key dates

  • 21 February – 21 April 2024: Call for Entries
  • 21 April 2024: Deadline
  • April-May 2024: Judging
  • 1 May: Shortlist Announcement
  • 9 May 2024: Live Pitch
  • Summer 2024: Winner Announced
  • ASFF Premiere and Live Q&A: Between 6-10 November 2024

Apply now

You can submit your documentary pitch using the online form here. To watch the previous winners documentaries, visit the Aesthetica website here.

In your application you will be asked for:

  • Working Title
  • Proposed Length of Film (Pitches should be for films up to 30 minutes)
  • Logline
  • Plot Summary
  • Summary of Your Filming Methodology

 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
Mar 04
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Film Travel Grant Fund

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Film Travel Grant Fund

The British Council have a new-look Travel Grant Fund, offering grants to filmmakers and XR creatives to support travel to selected international festivals and showcase events, labs, and co production forums.

Their Travel Grant Fund is supported by BFI National Lottery funding in partnership with BFI NETWORK and the BFI International Fund.

If you are a filmmaker or an XR creative, it is designed to enable you to represent your work abroad, develop new contacts and networks, and reach new audiences. It is particularly created to increase the exposure of new and emerging UK films, XR projects and talent on an international stage.

The British Council have separated the fund into five strands, accessed via two simple application processes:

Festivals and Showcases

  • Short Film Festival Grants – for new/emerging writers or directors, and for producers of any experience level, to attend eligible festivals to support a short film screening
  • Feature Film Festival Grants – for producers, to attend eligible festivals to support a feature film screening
  • Interactive/immersive/XR Grants – for XR creatives to attend eligible festival/showcase events with an interactive/immersive/XR project

Apply for a grant to attend a Festival or Showcase here

Labs and Co-Pro Forums

  • Lab Grants – for producers, writers, or directors working on new feature projects to attend eligible creative development labs
  • Co-Production Forum Grants – for producers with feature projects looking for finance and partners to attend eligible market/co-production forums

Apply for a grant to attend a Lab or Co-Pro Forum here

There are no deadlines – this is a rolling fund. Applications must be made in advance of travel – and they can not fund events that have already taken place.

Where can I go to?

This depends on which strand you are applying to. There are two Key Lists of eligible events which we review throughout the year. The’ve tried to make sure that the major moments in Film and XR are covered, alongside some more specialist events offering a platform for a diversity of voices.

Access and support

The British Council are committed to making their funding accessible to all. They can help if you need support to make an application, and if you have specific access needs for your event visit.

For example you can ask for:

  • their funding guidelines in other formats, like large print or audio
  • support to understand these guidelines
  • support to complete an application form
  • funds to facilitate travel with a BSL interpreter or access worker

Please talk to The British Council about what additional help may be available by emailing Films@britishcouncil.org

Sustainability

The British Council know that while travel obviously contributes to the climate emergency, some face-to-face experience is incredibly valuable, especially for people at the start of their creative journey.

Witnessing an international festival audience watching your film or walking through your VR project, or workshopping with a future collaborator at labs and co-pro forums first hand, is an essential part of the creative process.

Accepting that, they’re keen to keep sustainability in mind so they are working with Julie’s Bicycle to produce a Greener Grants guide to help you plan and understand the impact of your travel. This will be released shortly. Meanwhile, Travel Grant recipients are encouraged to travel to European events by train and there is additional funding available to help with this.

 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
Mar 01
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The Diverse Film Fund 2024: Life Beyond Labels

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The Diverse Film Fund 2024: Life Beyond Labels

TOGETHER TV’S DIVERSE FILM FUND FOR DEAF, DISABLED AND/OR NEURODIVERGENT PEOPLE IS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS

Together TV’s BAFTA-winning film fund is back to support documentaries made by and about Britain’s diverse communities. This year, the Diverse Film Fund will champion deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent communities in partnership with Whisper and British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust (BSLBT).

Two filmmakers will each be selected to receive:

  • up to £15,000 in film funding,
  • an expert mentor to guide your production
  • a raft of industry training sessions to develop your filmmaking expertise.
  • a television broadcast and digital distribution throughout August 2024.

CREATIVE BRIEF

Your film will need to be about one of these two topics, with a compelling narrative journey and an original creative approach:

  • Working with Whisper, who are producing the Paralympics for Channel 4, they are looking for one film about:
    • The sporting values of courage, determination and equality.
    • The underlying theme will be ‘being active.’
    • It can be about celebrating a team or local community sports, etc.
  • Working with British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust (BSLBT), they are looking for one film about:
    • Life beyond labels
    • A story of everyday adventures from the signing community.

ELIGABILITY CRITEREA

  1. Your film should express true-to-life experiences.
  2. The film will be 10 minutes long.
  3. The film will be a non-fiction documentary.
  4. The film will be positive, revealing and uplifting to align with Together TV’s mission.
  5. You should identify as deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent and they can support disabled people with access requirements as needed.
  6. You must be over 18.
  7. You must live and work in the UK.
  8. You have at most one broadcast credit as a director or producer.

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Tuesday 27th February 2024 > Applications open
  • Tuesday 26th March 2024 > Application deadline at 12pm (midday)
  • Early April 2024 > Successful filmmakers contacted
  • April 2024 > Mentoring, training and pre-production begins
  • May 2024 > Production begins
  • June 2024 > Post-production begins
  • July 2024 > Delivery of your film
  • August 2024 > Premiere and broadcast on TV

HOW TO APPLY

You can apply to the Diverse Film Fund 2024 through their online form, by recording a video submission, or over the phone.

Do you have any access requirements for the application? Or, do you want the form sent to you as a Word Doc? Please get in touch with them via info@togethertv.com or by calling them 020 3169 1562.

Applications will close midday (12pm) on Tuesday 26th March.

 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
Feb 28
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Climate Short Animation Film Competition

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Climate Short Animation Film Competition presented by Climate Spring, TK-FX and Lowkey Films, in partnership with BBC Writers and in collaboration with BFI NETWORK

ABOUT THE CLIMATE SHORT ANIMATION FILM COMPETITION

This newly launched Climate Short Animation Film Competition, presented by Climate Spring, TK-FX and Lowkey Films, in partnership with BBC Writers and in collaboration with BFI NETWORK, presents a unique opportunity to direct the screen industry’s creativity towards climate action, by encouraging filmmakers and creatives to envision and articulate a world where sustainability and regeneration are the norm.

This joint initiative will award the winning project with a total production budget of £30k and further in-kind production and climate advisory support.

The award is backed by two funds: TK-FX Animation Fund has been set up to bridge the experience gap between early stage and experienced CG directors, with a view to develop talent in the space. Climate Spring’s new World Building programme (part of Climate Spring’s Development Funds), brings together screen industry partners to harness the power of film and TV storytelling to respond to the climate crisis by visualising the solutions.

Lowkey production company will partner with TK FX to support the winning team with the production of the short film.

The competition jury will be joined by actor, writer and director Alex Lawther, who is active on climate change as a creative and as a campaigner.

As part of Climate Spring’s ongoing work in identifying and supporting impactful climate stories with potential to be developed into mainstream film and TV content, this animation short film competition seeks to incentivise screen industry creatives to visualise climate stories that move away from doom narratives, to narratives that show the way through and out of the climate crisis. Participants are encouraged to leverage the storytelling tools of animation to craft narratives set in a future where climate challenges have been confronted, paving the way for a regenerative society. Stories may also highlight existing climate solutions and foster a broader understanding of their implementation and impact on society.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

The competition is open to writer/directors or a team of a writer and a director, all of whom must be over the age of 18, not in full time education, and is open to applicants based anywhere in the world.

Projects must be submitted in English. Projects must not be subject to a contractual agreement with a production company, but can be under consideration by a production company. Projects selected or shortlisted in other programmes by BBC and BFI Network are eligible to submit.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Applicants will submit information about themselves and the proposed project. Projects will be assessed by the organisers and shortlisted. Shortlisted applicants will have an interview with a panel of judges and will be asked to submit additional materials regarding the production. The successful project will work with TK FX & Lowkey Films to produce their project, with a total budget of £30k with further in-kind production support. Climate Spring will organise an online workshop with world builders and futurists to explain and explore what regenerative and sustainable worlds will look like. Climate Spring will also provide ongoing expert advice to the winning team as they make their production.

CREATIVE BRIEF

“Climate Change is a crisis of the imagination”, wrote Amitav Gosh. All of the solutions to climate change already exist. We do not need any major new technological innovation. What we lack is a sense of agency that change is possible, and beneficial, in fact is already underway.

We need the adoption of climate solutions at scale and rapidly. What is preventing us from adopting these solutions is a lack of understanding of what they are, and what adoption would mean for normal people. What would our cities and our lives look and feel like if we meaningfully address climate change and move to a regenerative future?

What is regenerative? Addressing the climate and nature crisis doesn’t just mean reducing our pollution, it also means healing the damage already caused and creating flourishing conditions for biodiversity and people. The climate and nature crisis are symptoms of the way in which we power our economy. Changing that changes the root causes of the crisis.

UN science tells us that the adoption of climate solutions would not just reduce climate impacts but would be beneficial for our health and wellbeing.

They are looking for ideas that harness the World Building super powers of animation to depict and show what a world without fossil fuels would look like – what a regenerative future would feel like living in in the near future.

The story does not need to talk about climate or environmental issues, but needs to be set in a world in which we have responded to the climate and nature crisis, and have moved away from fossil fuels and harmful industrial practices towards regenerative practices.

TECHNICAL BRIEF

  • Length of film: 1-3mins
  • Environments / locations: 1 or 2 distinct environments
  • Characters: Two (max)‍
  • Full CG Animation

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants will need to submit a draft script, synopsis, moodboard/artistic vision, professional CV and alongside a sample of completed work for each member of the team. This can be any filmed work, live action or animation.

Please submit your applications by 29th February via this application form.

DATES AND DEADLINES

  • Applications will open on 9th January 2024 and close on 29th February 2024.
  • Interviews will be held w/c 25 March 2024.
  • The winner will be announced at the end of March 2024.
  • They expect the short film to then be delivered by March 2025 at the latest.

ENQUIRIES

If you have any questions regarding please email enquiries@climate-spring.org

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Full terms and conditions are available here

 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
Sep 08
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Edge of Nature: Short Film Fund

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Edge of Nature: Short Film Fund

The EDGE of Nature: Short Film Fund supports and nurtures emerging natural world storytellers to create fresh, out-of-the-box storytelling approaches to engage GenZ audiences and spotlight EDGE species and habitats.

Delivered by Wildscreen in partnership with On the Edge, this new short film fund will catalyse new and creative projects by emerging filmmakers globally, bringing new perspectives and fresh approaches to the natural history filmmaking genre.

Applications are now open and full fund information is available below.

Application deadline 5pm BST, Thursday 5th October 2023.

What is Edge?

Edge Species

  • EDGE species are Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered species in the plant, fungi and animal kingdoms.
  • They collectively represent billions of years of evolutionary history. When they’re gone, there’s no replacing them.

Edge Zones

  • EDGE Zones add up to less than 1% of earth’s land collectively but hold one-third of the planet’s terrestrial vertebrates.
  • They are spread across five continents, from the humid forests of Madagascar to the mountainous Western Ghats region of India.

The Fund

The EDGE of Nature: Short Film Fund is your chance to bring your natural world film project to life! Delivered in partnership with On the Edge, the fund will platform unique stories and storytelling talent from across the international wildlife production and conservation ecosystem, spanning off-screen to on-screen talent. Applications will be open to filmmakers globally.

Grants of between £2,000 to £15,000 are available.

Successful grantees will receive training, support, mentorship, and their films will be previewed at Wildscreen Festival 2024.

Project Criteria

 Projects must;

  • Have an aspect of an Edge Species or Edge Zone as the central focus
  • Be a film-based short (minimum 1 minute, maximum 40 minutes). It can be any genre, including animation and genres other than traditional Natural History
  • Not have any finance already secured or agreements in place from a broadcaster, platform, sales agent etc. and cannot have previously been broadcast, transmitted or commercially distributed in any form
  • To read the full Terms and Conditions, including further project eligibility criteria click here.

Applicant Criteria

To be elgible to apply, applicants must;

  • Be 18 years of age on or before the 1st October 2023.
  • Not have any professional (i.e. broadcast) Producer or Director credits (please note that this does not include student projects).
  • Have less than five cumulative years of paid experience within the film and television industry.
  • Have a maximum of one Assistant Producer credit.
  • Not be in full time education at any point between October 1st 2023 and November 1st 2024.
  • An application can be submitted by one person or a team. If a team, only two people can participate in the virtual live pitching session in October 2023. Full applicant eligibility is outlined in the terms and conditions.

What you need to apply

To apply you must provide a Project Treatment, Project Budget and Project Plan.

Guidance and templates are available to download below. If you require translated versions of these resoruces please contact georgia.torres@wildscreen.org.uk. Please note that you don’t have to use these templates for your Project Plan or Project Budget. Budgets must be submitted in GBP. A currency convertor is available on the Budget Template.

How to apply

Complete the online application form (available via the button below). An application overview is also available below. Please note that all applications must be submitted via the online application form. Applications submitted in any other format will not be accepted. Submissions can be made in any language. Application deadline 5pm BST, Thursday 5th October 2023

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
Aug 30
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Film Hub Midlands Film Exhibition Fund Round Two 2023

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Film Hub Midlands Film Exhibition Fund Round Two 2023

The second round of the Film Exhibition Fund is set to continue to reboot the independent film exhibition sector and aid the cultural organisations across the Midlands. It supports exhibitors to continue audience development activity in line with FAN objectives, programme British, independent and international film, and deliver screenings.

The fund supports activity taking place from October 2023 – 31 March 2024. Support of up to £10,000 is available, and the fund is open to the entire range of members of Film Hub Midlands. Support can cover programming, marketing, audience development, and associated screening costs. Whilst projects can range from seasons, festivals, one-offs and special events, to continuous support for independent cinema programmes.

Whilst audiences are at the heart of everything FAN does, the sector’s ability to reach those audiences in a collective setting is entirely dependent on the sustainability of the cinemas, festivals, community venues, and other organisations that make up the Film Audience Network. Online activity will only therefore be considered for support when accompanied by in-person screenings.

How to apply

Complete the Film Exhibition Fund proposal form here. Deadline is Friday 1st September 2023.

If you require assistance to complete this form, the BFI provides access support, find out more here. The Film Hub team are available for one-to-one general support and advice with your application.

This form requires you to complete several sections outlined below, and send us a budget document to hello@filmhubmidlands.org

As it is not possible to save your progress on the form, you may find it easier to prepare your answers to these questions offline before starting your submission.

Resources

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
Aug 25
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Voices With Impact: Film Production Grant 2023-24

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Voices With Impact: Film Production Grant 2023-24

Voices With Impact is a yearly short film production grant that funds 5 minute films that create transformative conversations around the topic of mental health. Each year VWI awards 10 filmmaking teams $7.5k to make a 5 minute short on specific underrepresented mental health topics.

This year they are looking for proposals on the topic of Serious Mental Illness, or Cliques & Echo Chambers.

Requirements

They are global, you can apply from anywhere in the world! 

They accept any genre of film proposal, from documentary to dark comedy, from drama to experimental animation.

The proposal must be for a film 5 minutes or less.

The 2024 submission window for film proposals is now open. The deadline is Midnight (Pacific Time) September 17 2023. Submissions will be juried by filmmakers and mental health professionals.

How to enter

To enter you will need to complete the webform here. There are three sections to the form; your contact information, your previous work, and your proposal. Please follow the submission guide below when creating your proposal or read the full proposal submission criteria here.

VWI 24 - Open Call for Proposals - Submission Guide.png

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
Aug 24
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Film Pipeline: Short Script & Film Competition 2023

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Film Pipeline: Short Script & Film Competition 2023

About Film Pipeline

Launched in 2018, Film Pipeline searches for extraordinary directors, produced shorts, unproduced scripts, and other content from a growing field of talent worldwide. Filmmakers and writers discovered through Pipeline receive circulation assistance to agencies, managers, and executives on the lookout for the next wave of artists, with a sharp emphasis on diverse storytelling and stylistic originality. Unlike a traditional one-and-done festival, the company champions individual writers and directors, playing a central role in getting projects developed, produced, and promoted.

For 23 years, Script Pipeline has bridged the gap between up-and-coming writers and the industry through a unique, long-term, hands-on facilitation process. The result thus far has been $8 million in scripts sold to studios and networks since 1999, most recently the seven-figure sale of Script Pipeline finalist Bring Me Back to Legendary Entertainment. In total, across Film, Book, and Script Pipeline, approximately 25,000 pieces of creative material are reviewed annually, with ~2,000 entries submitted to Film Pipeline in 2021.

Short Script Competition

The 6th Annual Film Pipeline Short Script Competition provides an opportunity for writers to get their project financed and produced. Their executives collaborate with the finalists from development to production, supporting their efforts on both their selected script as well as future material. All genres accepted, and scripts may be intended as proof-of-concept or standalone shorts.

With over two decades of experience discovering new screenwriters, they’ve cultivated a dynamic, hands-on process of development and industry introductions for filmmakers. This allows both emerging and seasoned writers and directors to receive personalised assistance in all facets. And, most importantly, Pipeline spotlights and supports selected talent with the intent of fostering their careers long-term.

Winner and finalists awarded:

  • $5,000 to winner
  • Extensive development from Pipeline’s executive team, including feature script development (if applicable)
  • Industry circulation to specific management and producing partners
  • Additional long-term development of other film and TV scripts
  • Financing consideration for future short scripts

Deadlines:

  • Regular: September 1st, 2023 – $40
  • Late: September 15th, 2023 – $45
  • Submit here! You can upload your submission material through the link, or email it to entry@filmpipeline.com after you’ve completed your order.

Short Film Competition

The 6th Annual Film Pipeline Shorts Competition seeks remarkable directors and diverse, engaging content—the type of work defined by forward-thinking perspectives and unconventional yet universally appealing stories.

Film Pipeline has created a platform significantly different from a festival: selected entrants are given one-on-one collaboration with Pipeline execs to develop or produce additional scripts, consideration for industry circulation, and extended promotion of their film to their broader audience.

Winner and finalists awarded:

  • $5,000 to winner
  • Industry circulation consideration to select partners, including agents and managers
  • Promotion of the short and the filmmakers’ future work
  • Additional long-term development of other projects
  • Financing opportunities for additional shorts

Deadlines

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
Aug 22
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First Flights Short Film Fund – Kodak Film Edition

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First Flights Short Film Fund – Kodak Film Edition

The short film fund allows emerging talent from around the world to test their ideas before embarking on a feature film.

Grants of up to £7,000 / $10,000 are available towards the production costs of all scripted genres and documentary short film content.

Filmmakers can compete in a special category to shoot their film on genuine 16mm film stock. Winners of this category will receive 10 x 400ft rolls of KODAK 16mm film stock, along with processing costs.

Filmmakers will have full creative control of the project but will receive support in submitting the film to festivals and distribution opportunities with Network Ireland and Televison and ShortsTV.

Selection Process

All applications and scripts are reviewed and graded on a point-based system, across seven categories covering originality, creativity, plot, pacing & structure, characters, entertainment, and message effectiveness. The long list is created and reviewed by a team of independent judges from across the film industry, from which all candidates are interviewed. The ratings from independent judges and the interviews are then used to make the final selection.

Submission Dates

  • Early bird fees are £20 per project until August 31st
  • Regular fees are £30 until September 30th
  • Late fees are £40 until October 31st

Awards will be given to projects which intend to be in production no more than six months after the deadline closes. Awards provided are non-recoupable grants.

How to apply

Filmmakers log in to submit your project information HERE.

Project submissions will need to include:

  • Project details: title / genre / location / budget / funding amount sought / intended production date
  • A logline (up to 30 words)
  • A synopsis (250 words)
  • A directors vision – creative ideas and information on why the story is important and who it is for (250 words)
  • A completed script (no more than 30 pages)
  • A biography of the director. Links to the director/writer/producer IMDB pages if available
  • A budget (template provided)
  • Optional: look book and sizzle reel
For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
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