Each project to receive £5,000 ($8,200) towards production budget.

Creative England has launched the second open round of iShorts, its annual entry level short film initiative delivered as part of the BFI NET.WORK.

iShorts is open to filmmakers outside of London who have some experience in self-funded short films and student films but whose work has yet to attract financial support from within the industry.

Each project receives £5,000 ($8,200) towards its production budget along with ongoing editorial support and expertise from Creative England to deliver the finished films.

The selected filmmaking teams receive intensive residential development and production training, supported by Creative Skillset.

This year, up to 30 projects will undergo a rigorous development phase with a view to producing up to 20 short films with the full production award.

Creative England will also be working with the selected teams to develop crowdfunding opportunities for their projects, not just to increase the finance available for production but also to drive early awareness and audience engagement.

Chris Moll, head of film at Creative England, said: “One year on from the launch of the BFI NET.WORK and our inaugural iShorts programme we have 20 remarkable completed shorts from some of the region’s best up-and-coming talent. Now it is time for us to open up the programme once again to welcome the next tranche of talented filmmakers who are ready to produce their first industry-funded short.”

Twenty filmmaking teams received support to develop and produce their films from the inaugural iShorts initiative launch in 2013, six of which will be showcased at this year’s Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival in Bristol.

The iShorts training is supported by Creative Skillset’s Film Skills Fund, which is funded by the National Lottery via the BFI, and through the Skills Investment Fund.

Deadline for applications is 5pm on Oct 24. Full guidelines on how to apply can be found at http://creativeengland.co.uk/film/ishorts