Apply to New Voices: Step Up 2024

  • Wed 26 June – Mon 5 Aug

    Apply to New Voices: Step Up 2024

    Online

BFI NETWORK & BFI Film Academy South West present New Voices: Step Up 

This summer, in partnership with Watershed and Bristol AF Productions, we’re launching a few mentoring opportunities for south west-based filmmakers who identify as being from a lower socio-economic background* or who are currently unemployed and claiming benefits. In these challenging times – and with working-class creatives in film and TV at the lowest level in a decade** – we recognise the need to support talent who lack the opportunities that others may have (in location, access, connections, resources), and we’re keen to provide some guidance on pathways into the industry and on maintaining a career once in it.  

 

Mentees will benefit from two 45-minute online meetings with industry professionals with actions and notes provided. We aim to inspire and motivate, and to provide tools, resources and plans for your next steps.  

 

BFI NETWORK South West are offering six places to early-mid-level producers, directors and screenwriters aged 18+ and not in full-time education who are interested in fiction filmmaking across live action, animation and immersive, and who are looking for guidance in areas such as: 

  • Maintaining a film/TV drama career  
  • Building relationships with crew and creatives 
  • Pitching your ideas to funders and execs 
  • Finding your voice as a filmmaker 

Please note that this is not a script-development scheme.


Timeline:

  • Applications open Mon 8 July.
  • Applications close Mon 5 Aug 5pm.
  • Successful applicants will be notified by Tues 27 Aug.
  • Mentoring kick-off session (online) Tue 3 Sep.
  • Mentoring: 2x 45min meetings (online, dates agreed between mentor and mentee), should conclude by the end of Oct 2024.

 

Who is this for?

You must:

  • Be living in the south west of England (see our region map on the FAQs page here)
  • Identify as someone from a lower socio-economic background*
  • Be serious about your filmmaking career
  • Not already have lead creative credits on a HETV or film production from the past three years, or already be employed full-time in the industry
  • Be available for the mentoring kick-off session on Tue 3 Sep (time tbc)
  • Be willing to commit to your mentoring meetings and be reliable, punctual and respectful of everyone’s time.

 

BFI NETWORK Mentors

The mentors you could be matched with include the writer-director behind Hoard, Luna Carmoon, filmmaker Paul Holbrook, Creative Producer Vic Tillotson and Watershed’s Head of Film, Maddy Probst.

 

You must be 18+, live in the south west of England and not be in full-time education to apply. If you’re a student, see BFI Film Academy’s offer below. 

To apply please fill in this brief form (video answers will also be accepted).  

Apply here

 

BFI Film Academy South West are offering six places to early-stage creatives aged 16-25 who are interested in screen skills across film, TV and immersive, and who might be looking for support in areas such as: 

  • Film & TV curation 
  • Getting into the film & TV industry 
  • Documentary production 
  • CV and self-promotion skills 

 

You must be aged 16 – 25 and based in the south west of England to apply. Students are welcome to apply.

BFI Film Academy Mentors

The mentors you could be matched with include film curator Neil Ramjee, writer-director Xenia Glen, writer-director Xenia Glen and commercials director Elle Dimond.

 

To apply please fill in this brief form (video answers will also be accepted).  

Apply here

 

* A lower socio-economic background can be defined by parental occupation when you were aged 14, the type of school you attended at age 11 to 16, your eligibility for free school meals, and highest parental qualification. 

 

** Further reading: 

‘Working Class Creatives in film and TV at lowest level in a decade’: https://www.channel4.com/news/working-class-creatives-in-film-and-tv-at-lowest-level-in-decade 

 

‘The Class Ceiling in the Creative Industries’: https://creativeaccess.org.uk/latest/new-research-the-class-ceiling-in-the-creative-industries 

 

‘Bridge the Gap – Inside the Creative Industry’s Privilege Problem in Britain’: https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/a46390581/bridge-the-gap-inside-the-creative-industrys-privilege-problem-in-britain/ 

Apply to New Voices: Step Up 2024

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