First Flights Media Ltd, exists to harness and support emerging filmmakers to create bold and ambitious feature films for a global audience. The ambition is to have a long-term outlook and to build careers where talent can move to larger-scale productions under the Goldfinch banner.
With the intentions to help new talent test their ideas before embarking on a feature film, First Flights has launched a new Short Film Fund gear towards filmmakers interested in creating live action and documentary short films of any genre.
DESCRIPTION
In partnership with the First Flights, we are seeking out filmmakers of all types from our community with developed or developing short film proposals who are interested in applying for the 2021 First Flight’s Short Film Fund which features grants up to £7,000. The grant can be used towards the production costs of scripted and documentary short film content. We will only accept English applications with short film projects with a total run time under 30 minutes. The standard application fee of £40 will automatically be waived if you submit your proposal directly through the Zooppa platform before the final submission deadline, June 30th.
Features of the Short Film Fund include:
- Submissions for live-action and documentary short films of any genre
- Up to 3 short films selected per round
- Filmmakers will have full creative control of the project
- Awards provided are non-recoupable grants
- Awards will be given to projects which intend to be in production no more than six months after the deadline closes
- Distribution through our partnership with streaming platform BirdBox.Film
Please submit your short film proposal using the Pitchbook aka Lookbook template found in the materials download section. This is the long-form document that should contain everything else to pitch the film. Make this look slick. Check for grammatical errors. The whole document should visually represent what the films look and feel will be. If you have a look-book or a pitch presentation please upload and ensure it includes all of the details listed below.
To increase your chances of being selected your Pitchbook should contain:
- Project details:
- Title
- Genre
- Location
- Budget
- Funding Amount Sought
- Intended production date
- A logline (up to 30 words)
- One page synopsis (250 Words)
- Short and sweet and allows anybody to quickly understand the main story arc.
- Director’s vision (250 Words)
- Why is the director making this film? Be honest. Don’t tell us what you think we want to hear. This is where you can get across the story behind the story, the story that allows us to tell others why this film should be made and who it is for.
- Director’s Bio
- First Flights is a talent lead initiative so this section is important to us. Any notable achievements, awards, and links to existing work we can look at go here.
- A completed script (no more than 30 pages)
- Budget / Financial Plan (template provided)
- If you have a budget, it needs to have details and not simply a one-line amount like £1,000,000. Details show us you have a realistic understanding of how the script’s story will translate into the final film.
- Bios of confirmed cast and crew
- If you have secured actors and have timelines to fit please also put those details here. Showing you have built an experienced team around you is also a vital factor in the selection process for us.
- Optional: look book and sizzle reel
Applications should be submitted by either the Producer, Director or Writer of a project. Eligible applicants should be 18 years of age or older.
WHAT IS THE REVIEW PROCESS?
The assessment criteria will cover:
- the quality of the narrative and supporting materials
- the compelling nature of the creative vision
- the viability and feasibility of the project.
Up to ten applicants will be shortlisted for a 30 minute interview with the First Flights team. This will be a forum to have a detailed conversation about the project but also gives the applicants an opportunity to ask any outstanding questions. This meeting can happen remotely via video conferencing or in person.
Applicants may be asked to provide evidence that they have secured the rights or underlying rights to the project. If applying for partial funding, applicants will need to show evidence of alternative sources of finance. The selected projects will be announced following the interviews and prompt receipt of any additional requested information.
First Flights will respond to all applicants as they move through the review process but as a result of the volume of applicants, they will not have the resources to provide detailed feedback on projects that do not progress.
Submitted applicants will receive a project assessments within 4 weeks after the closing of submissions and will be contacted by email of the decision.
Awards:- T.B.A
Deadline:- 30-06-2021
