Film London launches short film funds

Film London has launched London Calling and London Calling Plus, two short filmmaking funds set to fund up to 23 short films and provide training and mentoring.

Supported by the BFI, Creative Skillset and London borough partners, the funds are part of the new UK-wide talent development prograemme, the BFI NET.WORK, and are now open for applications with a deadline of Nov 6.

London Calling is a continuation of the London Borough Film Fund Challenge (LBFFC) which produced over 170 short films, with several winning international awards including best European short film award at Berlin Film Festival. Open to all London residents, the fund will see up to 18 short films awarded a maximum of £4,000.

London Calling Plus will award a maximum of £15,000, producing up to five short films from Black and Asian Minority Ethnic filmmakers.

In addition to production funding, Film London will provide a programme of training and mentoring for all filmmakers. At the scheme’s conclusion, all films will benefit from an industry showcase and compete for the London Calling Awards, which has £2,000 prize and is selected by a jury of industry experts.

Adrian Wootton [pictured], chief executive of Film London & the British Film Commission, commented: “This is the largest short film-making scheme Film London has offered, which is fantastic news for the city’s filmmaking talent.

“Our extensive experience discovering talent, guiding them to produce award-winning shorts and kick starting careers, combined with increased funding from the BFI and Creative Skillset, allows us work with more new and exciting voices.”