General Resources
BBC Film Network
Film Network is the BBC’s short film showcase, screening short films from new British Filmmakers, with three new shorts every week. The site also provides filmmakers with tools to create online profiles and exchange tips, advice and ideas and allows people to comment on and rate the films.
BFI
The British Film Institute promotes
understanding and appreciation of Britain's rich film and
television heritage and culture. Established in 1933, the bfi runs a
range of activities and services.
Britfilms
This site acts as a gateway
to a world of useful information published on the Internet about the
British film industry and includes news about British films and the UK film
industry and important events, filmmaker resources and training & courses
sections. Also features the online British Films Catalogue
and other databases.
The Channel 4 British Documentary Foundation
The Foundation plans to bring a new way - outside the confines of television - to develop, fund and distribute the work of the most innovative UK documentary filmmakers. As well as directly funding films, they will offer training and arrange mentoring where appropriate, coupled with practical help and advice.
FourDocs
FourDocs is a broadband channel designed by Channel 4 as a place for users to showcase their documentaries.
The site also offers archives of some of the best documentaries from Channel 4 and elsewhere, interviews with filmmakers and a wide range of advice on how to make and upload your film.
Guiding Lights
Guiding Lights is a scheme looking for 25 film industry professionals in the early stages of their careers.
Successful applicants will be matched with high profile practitioners who will provide mentor advice and support throughout the programme and beyond.If you are a director, producer, writer or work within the disciplines of business affairs, talent agents, sales agents, distributors, exhibitors, marketing or publicity and have at least two years’ experience in your field, you are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is 1pm Tuesday 1st November.
Netribution
Netribution
ran out of cash in February 2002 and since then the news hasn’t been
updated, however it is still a great archive of information and we hope
it will return to its full glory sometime soon.
Funding & Support
British
Council
Their Film and Literature department promotes contemporary
and innovative work from the UK to audiences around the world through
the British Council's global network. The main purpose of our activities
in film is to broaden and build international audiences (particularly
amongst young people) for new work from the UK, working with over 70
countries.
South West Screen
South West Screen is the film, television and digital media agency for the South West of England. Their main areas of work are business development, locations, screenwriting, exhibitions, training, education and funding. There is a wealth of talent and a huge range of facilities in the South West, so whether you want to shoot a major film, learn how to write scripts, get to know people in the industry or anything else, they are there to help.
UK Film Council
The UK Film Council funds an ambitious variety of schemes to develop and nurture emerging filmmaking talent.
Digital Shorts - regionally based, this scheme enables filmmakers to make innovative shorts using digital technology and is run in partnership with selected agencies in every region and nation of the UK. Each of the agencies will support at least eight digital films a year with a budget of up to £10,000 each.
Cinema Extreme - The New Cinema Fund and FilmFour jointly fund Cinema Extreme, a scheme designed to push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling. For 2004/05 the scheme will operate as a development programme incorporating a rolling commission process, through which the New Cinema Fund and FilmFour will commission a minimum of four films.Completion Fund - UK Film Council's New Cinema Fund provides completion finance for films that show outstanding potential. The UK Film Council Digital Shorts and Cinema Extreme films are showcased at brief Encounters each year.
UK Film Finance Handbook 2005/06:
How to Fund Your Film
A comprehensive roadmap to film funding structures
and opportunities in the UK. From low budget short film schemes through
to multi-million pound international co-productions, this is a vital
reference guide for producers, filmmakers, financiers and their advisors
UK MEDIA Desk
The MEDIA Programme
offers a wide variety of funding for film and television, covering areas
from training through development and distribution to markets, events
and festivals. The UK MEDIA Desk is hosted by the UK Film Council and
is the information office for the MEDIA Programme and offers
support and advice for UK applicants.
Production & Training
BAFTA
BAFTA recognises
that it is essential to reward and nurture the immense diversity and
talent demonstrated by filmmakers producing short film and animation.
Shorts offer both new and established talent alike the chance to create
experimental and innovative films and, by rewarding excellence within
these fields, the Academy aims to raise the profile of these talented
individuals and of shorts in general. The awards for Short Film and Short
Animation are presented annually at The Orange British Academy Film Awards
in February.
BBC
Talent: The BBC THREE New Animation Award
You are an up-and-coming
animator brimming with distinctive ideas and looking for someone to
screen your animated film. BBC THREE are looking for fresh and innovative
animators capable of wowing our audiences with their killer creations.
If you have never had a director credit for animation shown on terrestrial
TV, send your animated film, 1-5 minutes in length, with a brief summary
of how it could be developed into a longer series by 31st September.
All finalists will have their work shown on BBC THREE and showcased
at Brief Encounters Short Film Festival.
BBC
Talent: The BBC THREE New Filmmakers Award
Can you tell an edgy,
quirky or funny tale in ten minutes? BBC THREE want sparky, short drama
films from aspiring directors of all ages, backgrounds and artistic
styles, who know how to tell a good story. As well as funding winners
(there's a first prize of £5,000, and £2,500 for two runners-up),
winning entries will be screened on BBC Three and at Brief Encounters
Film Festival. And if that's not enough, the finalists will also get
the chance to pitch to make three, three-minute shorts to be made in
early 2006. Closing Date: 30th June.
Short Circuit
Short
Circuit Films organises film marketing and distribution seminars; short
film programming services and also showcases the work of the UK Film
Council's New Cinema Fund Digital Shorts Scheme.
Skillset
Skillset is the Sector
Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries, which comprise broadcast,
film, video, interactive media and photo imaging. Jointly funded
by those industries and the Government, our job is to make sure that
the UK audiovisual industries have the right people, with the right skills,
in the right place, at the right time, so that our industries remain
competitive.
Sales Agents & Distributors
Dazzle Films
The Dazzle short
film label represents a select and scintillating collection of award
winning, critically acclaimed titles from the UK and around the world.
From ultra short fifteen-second digital micro movies to super 35mm masterpieces
the dazzle short film collection sells across all media platforms to
buyers worldwide.
Britshorts
Britshorts is involved
in the marketing, distribution and production of short film. Britshorts
are always looking for new ways to develop the short film market to enable
and encourage the growth of film making talent around the world.
Big Film Shorts
Big Film
Shorts is a film distribution company that specializes in
short films, as well as other media and formats. The core of business
is a film library, which contains shorts in a variety of genres,
lengths, formats and national origins.
