It’s a tough time for independent filmmakers and we all know how time consuming it is to search for funding opportunities for emerging filmmakers. In truth, there are not that many opportunities out there, which was a big reason why we set up the Other Brother Studios Film Fund, but there are some brilliant initiatives out there if you search hard enough, so we have saved you time by creating a list for Short Film funding and opportunities for emerging filmmakers in the UK.
Our advice is to only apply when your short film idea / you fit the criteria (research is key) and if they are looking for something in particular then make sure you mention that in your application form; cater to the fund (if it works with your short film) and don’t submit the same blanket document to everyone. Quality over quantity. Please note that we have only listed opportunities for short filmmaking, not features.
We’ll keep adding to this list (currently updated February 2022), feel free to share with filmmaker friends or let us know if we are missing something? Hope it helps!
SHORT FILM FUNDING
OTHER BROTHER STUDIOS FILM FUND Now in it’s 5th year, our annual film fund grants 2x filmmakers both £750 production budget, free use of Other Brother Studios basic filmmaking kit, Mentoring support, advice on what to do with your short film when it’s completed.
Deadline: 30th September 2022
ROUNDHOUSE FILM FUND £500 production budget, additional in-kind support totalling £1,300 and mentoring opportunities, this is a brilliant fund open to 18 - 25 year olds.
Deadline: Applications are currently closed, another round opens Summer 2022
BFI NETWORK: SHORT FILM FUNDING Funding available up to £15k. For Writers and Directors that haven't had a feature film produced and distributed yet. Writer / Director / Producer must be attached. Live action or animation shorts no longer than 15 minutes in length, Director must be English, must be original and not originated from another piece of work.
Deadline: Applications are currently closed, another round opens March 2022
GENERA FILM FUNDING Up to £5k available with quarterly funding available for short films. You need to have a Director and Producer on board, with a clear budget outline. You can apply for funding with a one off £35 fee, or for £40 per annum you receive a membership, allowing 1x funding application but with additional access to showcase your films.
Deadline: Current funding round is 1st Oct 2021 - 31 March 2022
SHORESCRIPTS Grand Prize of $10k and 2nd prize of $5k for short films from emerging screenwriters and filmmakers. You do need to have a proven track record to submit and only one round a year, so the competition is fierce. They also offer funding for features, TV pilot and podcasts too.
Deadline: Early deadline 28th February 2022
IMDB SCRIPT TO SCREEN £5k and £1k of kit hire available. Submit script under 10 minutes, entries are read and 5 scripts are shortlisted, to showcase to a live audience and judges.
Deadline: Earlybird 21st June 2022, Standard 16th May 2022
GREY MOTH Investing in original ideas and emerging talent. Grey Moth donates funding, facilities, equipment, mentoring and training workshops to promising grassroots talent.
Deadline: ongoing
IDFA BERTHA FUND Up to £5k for documentaries. The fund is looking for films that use strong visual treatments to tell compelling stories and have the potential to reach a global audience.
Deadline: 10th June 2022
BRIDGING THE GAP Up to £8k funding for Scotland and Northern Ireland based filmmakers. Up to 12x ideas will be short-listed and 5x projects commissioned. Offers production support, documentary development training and up to one year of international festival distribution.
Deadline: Not yet published but was August last year
WAHALA FILM FUND Up to £1k completion fund for Queer, Transgender, Intersex People of Colour filmmakers.
Deadline: ongoing
PEARS SHORT FILM FUND AT UK JEWISH FILM
Two grants of up to £13,500 are available for the production of a short film – drama, animation or factual – with a Jewish theme of significance to both Jewish and general audiences. The fund focusses on supporting the production and exhibition of short films that reflect British-Jewish stories, life, history and culture. Areas of relevance include identity, interfaith, assimilation, integration, antisemitism and racism. Maximum length – 10 minutes. The judging panel is drawn from experienced professionals in the British film and television industry and the scheme is open to all filmmakers resident in the UK.
Deadline: Not yet published but was January this year
OPPORTUNITIES + FURTHER HELP
BAFTA CONNECT MEMBERSHIP Replacing BFI NETWORK X BAFTA CREW, this is for writers, directors and producers actively working towards their debut feature length project or their first TV, streaming or online commission. BAFTA are allowing access to BAFTA 195 Piccadilly for Networking, meetings and entertainment, BAFTA’s year-round programme of in-person and online industry events, roundtables and workshops with BAFTA winners / nominees, full-day industry events, inclusion in the online BAFTA Connect Membership Directory.
Deadline: Applications will open shortly
SCREENSKILLS Offering development, training and opportunities and information and resources this is a fantastic initiative that Other Brother Studios have been a part of for 2 schemes. We would recommend their Mentoring scheme, talks and financial support in particular.
Deadline: ongoing support
BRITISH COUNCIL FILM: SHORT SUPPORT SCHEME Funding available between £100-£1.5k to travel to film festivals on a select list (58 film festivals).
Deadline: ongoing support
CREATIVE DEBUTS, BLACK ARTISTS GRANT The Black Artists Grant (BAG) is offered by Creative Debuts as a no-strings attached financial support to help black artists. They can spend the grant on whatever they want – be that make new work, buy equipment or materials, travel, research, visit exhibitions or conferences, or to even just cover some life expenses.
Deadline: ongoing support
BFI FLARE x BAFTA in partnership with BFI NETWORK Showcases and supports the next generation of LGBTQIA+ filmmakers working across film and television, with year-round mentoring, career coaching and development opportunities.
Deadline: ongoing support
NETWORK @LFF Up to 12 trailblazing UK-based writers, directors and producers will join us for an intensive programme of masterclasses, screenings, events and industry insights. They’ll be given the exclusive opportunity to be immersed in the LFF Programme and interact with leading international filmmakers and industry executives, as well as receive accreditation for the duration of the festival.
Deadline: opens in July 2022
BFI FILM ACADEMY BFI Film Academy offers a wide range of opportunities across the UK for 16 to 25 year olds to learn more about film and filmmaking, including courses and events.
Deadline: ongoing support
COMPETITIONS
DEPICT! Constraint is a useful tool for creativity and also a necessity when entering this competition. If you have a short film completed that is 90 seconds or under then this free competition is for you. Winners get film exposure and promotion at Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival and half price Shooting People membership. 1x winner gets £1,5k cash and 1x winner gets £1k cash.
Deadline: Currently closed but was June 14th in 2021
STRAIGHT 8 Make a short film on one cartridge of super 8 - editing only with each pull of your camera’s trigger. Submit your original soundtrack without yet having seen your visuals, then watch it for the first time at their annyal premiere. Cost depends on when you sign up.
Deadline: 8th March 2022 / 08 May 2022