New Voices is our three-month talent development scheme for underrepresented voices in the south west of England. We’re seeking writer-directors who have a short film idea but need some support to develop their script, build their confidence in the craft and prepare them to apply for BFI NETWORK funding. This is the fourth round of the scheme and we’re proud to be working with partners Blak Wave Productions, Little By Little Films and Bristol AF Productions. New Voices will run from Tue 23 Sep to Wed 17 Dec 2025. 

Eight writer-directors will benefit from:
 

• In-person and online workshops delivered by our two 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.   

• 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 mixer. 

• 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 to apply 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, please state this on your application. 

Applications are closed.