Skillset has awarded $166,100(£88,509) to Film London for its new Microwave Training Programme.

The training scheme, with a total budget of $255,183(£136,000), is part of Film London's new Microwave scheme for low-budgetfeature production.

The Microwave scheme got 71 applications and hasshortlisted 11 projects to attend the Microschool, a three day programmeof seminars and workshops. At the end of the training, the teams will pitchprojects to a panel, which will select up to three film projects for theproduction programme.

Then the teams will go through bespoke trainingsessions with top industry mentors. Material from these training sessions willbe made available as an online learning resource for all low-budgetfilm-makers. Budgets for the films will be $140,771-$187,695 (£75,000-£100,000).Microwave aims to produce 10 films by 2008.

Adrian Wootton, CEO of Film London said: "Film London is extremely grateful for Skillset's support of the Microwave Training Programme which further builds on the developingpartnership between the two organisations. This awardrecognises the unique and ground-breaking approach ofMicrowave to low-budget film-making and we very much look forward to developingnew work through the scheme."