£70,000 up for grab: Short Film Completion Fund 2008/09

The 2009/I0 UK Film Council Short Film Completion Fund is now open for submissions. The total annual fund available to the short film Completion Fund 2008/09 is £70,000. There will be two invitations for applications during 2008/09, and up to 14 films may be offered funding.

The Completion Fund has supported more than 50 films over the past six years enabling entrepreneurial and enterprising filmmakers to complete their projects and providing them with a platform to kick-start the exhibition of their film. Completion Fund films have achieved outstanding success gathering over 150 international awards, according to a press release bu the UK Film Council.

£70,000 Fund for 2008/2009

The UK Film Council's Short Film Completion Fund provides finance and support for short films that show outstanding potential but lack the funds to finish.

A fund of £70,000 has been made available to support projects across the Fund's two calls in 2008/09. The fund is part of the New Cinema Fund's programme to enable directors and producers to push their creative boundaries, develop new talent and to invest in short films that illustrate unique ideas and an innovative approach.

Call for applications:

There will be two invitations for applications during 2008/09, and up to 14 films may be offered funding. The first selection of projects will receive approximately £35,000 distributed across around seven films, although this may vary depending on the quality of the applications.

Apply from 5th Jan 2009

The two calls for applications will be as follows:

Monday 5th January 2009 – Closing date for 1st call for applications
June 2009 – 1st call selected films to be delivered and premiered
March 2009 – Closing date for 2nd call for applications
November 2009 – 2nd call selected films to be delivered and premiered.
Digital Shorts

The New Cinema Fund has partnered with organisations in each region and nation of the UK to enable filmmakers to make innovative shorts using digital technology.

The New Cinema Fund also has one UK wide partner, B3 Media, which supports the next generation of black and minority ethnic filmmakers.

Digital Shorts 2008 is now open for applications.

Digital Nation (previously Digital Shorts Plus)

Digital Nation is a scheme for filmmakers who have previously demonstrated directorial vision through a Digital Short or work of comparable level.

Digital Nation will provide filmmakers with the opportunity to join a nationwide talent pool and participate in an intensive tailored development process designed to hone their script and voice as a filmmaker. At the end of this development process 12 films will be chosen to go into production. Budgets will be between £17,500 and £20,000.

All films must be shot using digital technology.

Digital Nation is now open for applications.

PLEASE NOTE: This will be the only opportunity to apply to become part of the Digital Nation talent pool for the next two years.

Cinema Extreme

Cinema Extreme was created in 2002 by our New Cinema fund and Film4 to support filmmakers with a distinctive directorial voice.

Recent films commissioned by Cinema Extreme have been shown at festivals and won awards. These include Best Short at the Edinburgh International Film Festival for Love Me or Leave Me Alone (Duane Hopkins) and the Oscar® for Best Short Film won by Wasp (Andrea Arnold).

Cinema Extreme 2008 has now closed for applications.

Further information

If you have any questions about any of our short film funds or want to sign up for news updates email at shorts@ukfilmcouncil.org.uk

Lifesize Pictures manages the UK Film Council's investment in short films.

http://www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk/shortfilms