02/10/2013 - Short film funding schemes to support up to 23 short films across London, backed by the BFI and Creative Skillset

Film London has launched London Calling and London Calling Plus, short film-making funds open to London’s filmmaking talent. London Calling is a continuation of the London Borough Film Fund Challenge. Open to all London residents, up to 18 short films will be awarded a maximum of £4,000. London Calling’s London boroughs partners are Haringey, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, Redbridge, Southwark, Waltham Forest and Wandsworth, who will provide additional opportunities and support.

London Calling Plus is for filmmakers with a track record across film, television or theatre. Awarding a maximum of £15,000, the scheme this year will produce up to five shorts from Black and Asian Minority Ethnic filmmakers.

Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London and the British Film Commission said, “This is the largest short film-making scheme Film London has offered, which is fantastic news for the city’s film-making talent. London is full of diverse and fascinating stories, and our strategy, driven by our new Head of Talent Development and Production Deborah Sathe, aims to find the best of those stories and guide them to the screen. London Calling is central to that and with London Calling Plus we are excited to work with more experienced talent and specifically target those who are currently underrepresented in the capital’s film industry.”

Supported by the BFI, Creative Skillset and London borough partners, both funds are part of the new UK-wide talent development programme, the BFI Net.Work, and are now open for applications.