Part 2

Part 2
Funding and Support

What is the UK Film Council doing to support short filmmakers and short filmmaking?

As part of the UK Film Councils work, they have introduced new schemes, specifically for the funding and development of short film products. This will include the funding of production and distribution for aspiring directors.
The schemes will enable directors to gain experience, and to prove their talent to other investors, in order to create a feature film.
Some of these schemes are,

The cinema Extreme
In 2002 the UKFC and film 4 joined together to fund a scheme known as The Cinema Extreme. It was created essentially for directors who are close to making a feature film, due to past short films they have made that has shown great talent and ability.
Most of the users on this scheme commonly go on to have their short films screened at various festivals. As for short films that have been sent to festival under this scheme, people like Andrea Arnold have been successful in achieving awards for their films.

The Digital Shorts Scheme
The scheme aimed to encourage the use of digital equipment and to produce films of a high quality, just as if they were filmed on 35mm celluloid.
The course allowed all different filmmakers from all different regions to collaborate with each other and to work with different regional companies.

Short Films Completion Fund
In 2002 short films completion was created to overcome the problem of directors not having enough money to finish their films.
To do this the scheme receives an annual fund of £70,000 every year, so the company can give financial support to any struggling directors. Most directors use this scheme as it is a common problem with in the industry. Over 150 films created under this scheme have gone to festivals and won various awards, showing the effectiveness of this scheme.
The scheme funds directors with the talent and potential to go far in the film industry.


What are the nine Regional Screen Agencies (RSAs) that Film Council funding is delivered through?

The RSA’s were set up between 2002 and 2004, and were set up all around the UK to help fund people in shooting short films. I used the UKFC website to research each of the nine regional screen agencies, to gain an understanding in what they do and how they plan to achieve this.



EM Media

This is located in the East Midlands, they have made over 600 investments, most of these investments have gone onto win awards, an example of this would be the film “This is England”, directed by Shane Meadows. To receive an investment a member of the agency will advice the applicant on what to do and how to go about this. The main aim of the company is to help with support and finance, to allow new talent to grow.

Film London

This is one of the largest agencies in the UK. They have partners within film festivals, and aim to encourage film viewing and increase the audiences through the support the company gives. The funding includes location development, production and research resources.

Northern Film and Media

Was set up in 2002, they cover the north of England. Their aim is to bring people to their highest potential, to support the area and to show people how to use it affectively. They focus on helping people within the film industry to enter into the various types of media, by supplying support in the form of training for professionals and amateurs, workshops, networking events and other schemes.

North West Vision

The North West Vision and Media agency aim to stimulate the creativity within selected areas in the media industry. In order to complete this, they help companies and individuals grow and develop in the industry. Holding festivals attracts larger audiences and also educates in film culture and creativity.
They help with the production of projects, such as helping with location, crew, etc. by doing all this they provide the industry with people who have extensive knowledge.

Screen East

Screen East is set in the east of England, the agency aims to increase the size and quality of the media industry. To achieve this there are four different departments of audiences and education. These consist of skills, production, location and enterprise. Another aim is to support the person with crew and location work.

Screen South

Screen South is set up in the South of England, like most of the regional agencies, screen south has a close relationship with the UKFC in the category of short films.
They try to sustain the film industry in the south. Screen South help get projects in motion, by setting up and covering six department areas. These include,
 Exhibition
 Film heritage and archive
 Training
 Production and development
 Communities and learning
 Film commission and inward investment


Screen West Midlands

Set in the west midlands the agency aims to support the screen industries and increase the wealth of the film industry. They give people with in the industry useful information they would need to expand and improve their skills.
They do this by telling people about events such as, festivals and competitions. A proof of their success would be the film faintheart, this was the first film made through myspace by the audience, under the support of Screen West Midlands.

Screen Yorkshire

Screen Yorkshire helps the people of Yorkshire and surrounding areas. They aim to develop creativity and to increase the wealth of the film industry. To do so they offer schemes that will enhance skills and prepare them for the future in filmmaking. The agency has been involved with successful films like ‘This is England.’ So if they enjoy your short film they normally send it off to film festivals in the hope of winning awards.

South West Screen

Based in the Southwest, they offer schemes to help fund the media industries with in the region. The screen has two other partners apart from themselves that offer funding, these are the UKFC and Skillset. A scheme that has already been put in place by this agency is the Media Box.

As a short filmmaker, what funds could you yourself apply for?

As a short filmmaker who has the ambition to be in the film industry I would firstly apply to the UKFC, as this is one of the largest and well-known agencies for film and media. With in the UKFC I would go into the digital media scheme. I chose this as I am young and have little experience when it comes to film with in the industry.
However after do research of funding and support I believe I would also apply for one of the Nine regional screen agencies. The obvious choice for me to go for would be either film London as I live with in the area of this scheme and it would be easier for me to complete the scheme. But after reading about all the funding prospects I would choose to apply for Screen East, as it is the most appealing for me. Screen East studies the four departments which I would like to explore in the industry. In order to receive these funds I would have to pitch myself and my short film to each of these agencies, making persuasive arguments in my favour.