Eight writer-directors will benefit from

• In-person and online workshops delivered by BFI NETWORK Talent Executives and industry specialists, covering subjects such as applying for BFI NETWORK funding, script editing and finding your path in the industry.
• Three mentoring sessions with one of our scheme partners.
• Three script-development sessions with a professional script editor, who will help progress their short film idea to a polished script of up to 6 pages.
• The opportunity to workshop their script with trained actors, delivered in partnership with Bristol School of Acting.
• A Q&A session with a previous New Voices participant.
• A visit to Aardman and the opportunity to meet their creative team.
• Access to our in-person networking.
• Peer-to-peer sharing and plenty of new creative contacts. 

Since this isn’t a practical filmmaking scheme, we’re seeking stories from those who already have some experience in making films or creating moving-image content, but who may face barriers in developing scripted work, applying to funding, accessing support from industry professionals and taking steps in progressing their careers. Therefore, we’ll only be shortlisting applicants who identify as underrepresented due to their sexuality, gender, socio-economic circumstances, disability or ethnicity. 

To be eligible for New Voices, you must:

• Not have received BFI NETWORK short film funding before.
• Be submitting just one idea and one application. 
• Have aspirations to work as a writer-director, with the aim of attaching a producer and applying for funding. 
• Have an idea for a narrative-driven short film (live action or animation) that’s no more than five minutes in length and achievable on a budget of around £10,000. 
• Have made a short film before (this could be a student film), or have experience in creating moving-image content (such as visual arts, music videos, promo videos, online videos, ads).
• Be a resident in the south west of England (see region map here on our FAQs page).
• Be over 18 and not in full-time education. 
• Be able to attend an online introductory session on Tue 23 Sep 17:30 – 18:15. 
• Be able to attend two in-person days in Bristol Fri 14 Nov and Wed 17 Dec.  

Travel bursaries are available for those who need financial assistance.

Applications open on Mon 21 July and close on Fri 22 Aug 17:00. You will be notified of the outcome of your application on Fri 12 Aug.  

Apply here (when applications open on Mon 21 July) via this form you can complete a written application, or a include a link to a video or audio application of up to 3 minutes. 

If you would like to know more about New Voices, we’re hosting an online roundtable on Thu 31 July 12:30 – 13:15. Sign up for this here.  We’re also available via email for any additional queries: bfinetwork@watershed.co.uk 

Image credit: Soviet Fantasia, dir. Penn Bálint