Film London launches short filmmaking scheme
Film London launches its largest ever short filmmaking scheme today with the creation of two funds championing underrepresented minority voices. Together the awards will fund up to 23 short films, and provide training and mentoring to emerging talent.
Supported by the BFI, Creative Skillset and several London boroughs, both funds are part of the new UK-wide talent development programme, the BFI NET.WORK, and are now open for applications with a deadline of Wednesday 6 November.
"London is full of diverse and fascinating stories, and our strategy, driven by our new head of talent development and production Deborah Sathe, aims to find the best of those stories and guide them to the screen." said Adrian Wootton, chief executive of Film London and the British Film Commission.
The London Calling fund is open to all London residents, and will fund up to 18 short films to a maximum of £4,000. The fund continues the work of the London Borough Film Fund Challenge (LBFFC) which has produced over 170 short films, several of which went on to win prestigious international awards, including best European short film at the Berlin Film Festival.
Past recipients who have gone on to produce features garnering industry and critical acclaim include Alex Taylor (Spaceship), Destiny Ekaragha (Gone Too Far!) and Hong Khaou (Lilting).
The London Calling Plus fund is awarded for a track record across film, television or theatre. Awarding a maximum of £15,000, it champions London's underrepresented minority voices, and this year will produce up to five shorts film from Black and Asian Minority Ethnic filmmakers.
Alongside production funding, Film London will also provide a programme of training for all filmmakers and teams can secure match funding in order to increase the budget of their films.
The scheme will conclude with an industry showcase and all entrants will be able to compete for the London Calling Awards, chosen by a jury of industry experts which offers a cash prize of £2,000.
In order to reach and engage with talent from across the capital, Film London will bepresenting a series of road shows across London throughout October.
Check out our sister site KFTV for a guide to making great short films. For further details on the scheme please visit the Film London website.
