BFI and Film4 have joined forces to offer Future Takes, driven by our shared commitment to support audacious emerging talent to build sustainable and remarkable careers. We aim to support the creation of innovative, ambitious short-form work that will serve as a realistic stepping stone towards a first feature or long-form commission.
We recognise that, as it becomes harder to get debut features financed and out to audiences, there is a considerable gap in the support available to filmmakers who may have started their careers but are missing the piece of work that will allow them to move onto bigger, bolder work. That is where Future Takes comes in.
Access support
We can provide assistance to applicants who have access requirements and need some support in order to make an application. See Access support for BFI funding applicants.
When you can apply
There is one call for applications. This will open on 15 December 2022 and close on 13 February 2023.
What does the fund support?
This funding will support teams to make films that can gain major recognition and open up new opportunities for the filmmakers involved.
It is seeking more ambitious projects than those we generally see submitted to our BFI NETWORK funds: films that command a higher budget and will not be realisable without this support. This could mean ideas, settings or filming techniques that are truly boundary pushing either in form or content – the work you’ve always wanted to make, and that audiences want to see, if only the budget were there for it.
We can support scripted live action work or hybrid documentary involving scripted or dramatised elements. Films can be a maximum length of 25 minutes.
How many films will be made?
We are looking to support around 7 short films, with funding of up to £90,000 per film. The BFI will contribute National Lottery funding as a grant to each selected project, and Film4’s funding will in part purchase a license of certain distribution and broadcast rights.
How to apply
Read the funding guidelines in full before applying. The application link is included in the guidelines.
If you have any questions relating to the funding or application, please email future.takes@bfi.org.uk
Deadline: 13 February 2023
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