Disney Imagine UK

Source: NFTS/Disney

(L-R) Millie Garnier, Charlotte Paradise, Tom Levinge, Charley Packham, Laura Jayne Tunbridge, Kevin Morosky, Tom Dunn, Marcus Anthony Thomas, Adam Pearson, Alvin Yu, Danielle Goff

The UK’s National Film and Television School (NFTS) has named the six writer-director teams who will take part in its inaugural short-form incubator programme, Disney Imagine UK, including disability rights campaigner and star of Jonathan Glazer’s Under The Skin, Adam Pearson.

A statement from the NFTS described the programme as having “an emphasis on building a more inclusive film and television industry” and seeking teams “from under-represented backgrounds” to participate.

The teams will develop their films based around the theme of ‘evolve’ and with a production budget of £25,000.

Disney Imagine UK has selected D&D&D from Pearson alongside TV director and producer Tom Levinge; Lionhead from Alvin Yu and Charley Packham; Tom Dunn and Kevin Morosky’s Gently; Milly Garnier and Charlotte Paradise’s Sleepyhead; Laura Jayne Tunbridge and Danielle Goff’s Nights; and Marcus Anthony Thomas and Jordi Morera’s Space Plug.

The final collection of six original shorts will be considered to premiere across Disney platforms, feature within a showcase event and be submitted to international film festivals. All films have been considered and assessed against the BFI’s diversity standards.

Pre-production of the six shorts will begin in April 2023 with principal photography starting in May 2023.