Short films
Short films can help new film-makers to develop their talent. We fund short films through several different schemes.
Short Films Completion Fund 2008/09
The Short Film Completion Fund provides finance and support for short films that show outstanding potential but lack the funds to finish. A fund of £70,000 has been made available to support projects across the Fund's two calls in 2008/09.
Completion Fund films have achieved outstanding success gathering over 150 international awards including Best British Short at Edinburgh and the BAFTA for Best British Short.
The deadline for submissions to the 2009/II call of the UK Film Council's Short Film Completion Fund has been extended . Entries will now be accepted until 5pm on Tuesday, 5th May 2009. To apply please visit our Short Film Completion Fund 2008/09 section.
Digital Shorts
The New Cinema Fund has partnered with organisations in each region and nation of the UK to enable filmmakers to make innovative shorts using digital technology. The New Cinema Fund also has one UK wide partner, B3 Media, which supports the next generation of black and minority ethnic filmmakers.
Digital Shorts 2008 has now closed for applications with the exception of Screen Yorkshire.
Digital Nation (previously Digital Shorts Plus)
Digital Nation is a scheme for filmmakers who have previously demonstrated directorial vision through a Digital Short or work of comparable level. Digital Nation will provide filmmakers with the opportunity to join a nationwide talent pool and participate in an intensive tailored development process designed to hone their script and voice as a filmmaker. At the end of this development process 12 films will be chosen to go into production. Budgets will be between £17,500 and £20,000. All films must be shot using digital technology.
Digital Nation is now closed for applications.
Cinema Extreme
Cinema Extreme was created in 2002 by our New Cinema fund and Film4 to support filmmakers with a distinctive directorial voice.
Recent films commissioned by Cinema Extreme have been shown at festivals and won awards. These include Best Short at the Edinburgh International Film Festival for Love Me or Leave Me Alone (Duane Hopkins) and the Oscar® for Best Short Film won by Wasp (Andrea Arnold).
Cinema Extreme 2008 has now closed for applications.
Further information
If you have any questions about any of our short film funds or want to sign up for news updates email us at shorts@ukfilmcouncil.org.uk
Lifesize Pictures manages the UK Film Council's investment in short films.
