Funding

There are ranges of organisations that offer funding to filmmakers. I could apply for funding from the Small Awards Fund from Screen East. They can offer up to £500 for individuals. My application wouldn’t have to be completed and sent off at any particular time as long as the application gets to them 10-15 working days before the project begins. To apply I would have to complete and send two copies of the Small Awards application form, along with two copies of a relevant CV, detailed project budget, as well as any marketing materials or course materials related to the project.

I could also apply for Short Film Completion Fund from the UK Film Council. This would give me funding for a short film (less than 12 minutes), I would have to ensure the film does not extend this time length, is available to view on DVD, has main elements (producer, writer, director, location and story) which are substantially British in nature. I would have to apply by 30th November 2009 and the film would have to be completed by 2010.

Another company that I could apply for funding would be First Light. I would apply for The Young Film Fund, which is for 5 to 19 year olds. There are three types of funding that you can apply for in this section the one that applies to me is the Pilot Grant. This offers funding for one short film of up to five minutes in duration, maximum grant of £5,000 and 20% match funding requirement. I would have to get my application into them by 19th January 2010 and the decisions would be announced 2nd March 2010.

I also contacted Arts Council England but they were unable to offer me funding. Along with the Big Lottery Fund as they don’t offer one-off donations to individuals.