The London Film and Video Development Agency (LFVDA) has launched the first round of the London Production Fund for 2000. The fund provides grants of up to £15,000 to animation, short film or documentary projects from independent filmmakers living or working in London.

Backed by Carlton Television, FilmFour and UK film super body, the Film Council, the fund is looking for "imaginative and innovative teams of writers, directors and producers with well-developed projects and realisable budgets".

Recent successes from the Fund's slate include Mavis And The Mermaid, a 1998 production award, which won the Kodak Bafta showcase last March and short film, The Funeral Of The Last Gypsy King, a prizewinner at the Huesca and Vila do Conde short film festivals.

In addition to the London Production Fund, the LFVDA recently launched the East London Film Fund, a business support and production fund for East London and the Lea Valley. The agency is also in the last stages of development for Short Circuit, an innovative distribution scheme for short films.

For application forms and guidelines for the 2000 Production award send an A4 SAE to LFVDA, 114 Whitfield Street, London W1P 5RW, or visit the website at www.lfvda.demon.co.uk.