Calling writers, directors and producers: our 2021 Connect + Collab call for applications is now live!
Film Hub South East, South West and Midlands are running Connect + Collab again this August, an online networking event designed to bring together filmmaking teams to work on short form narrative projects that would be eligible for the BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund. Supported by Encounters Film Festival.
What is Connect + Collab?
The event is open to UK-based producers, and writers and directors based in the South East, South West or Midlands of England. It is the perfect place for writers and directors with exciting short film ideas to find a producer to develop the project and build a relationship with, as well as an opportunity for producers to expand their slate and identify the strong new ideas that creatively stand out.
The event will be hosted via Deal Room, an online meeting platform that will allow you to create a profile and book in 1:1 video call meetings with other participants between 9:15am – 8pm GMT on Thursday 12 August. It is a space to network and explore potential new collaborations with the intention of forming filmmaking teams in order to apply to the BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund, which opens again on Friday 20 August.
Who can apply?
UK-based producers from all creative disciplines with aspirations to produce short films and who are looking to take on new projects to expand their slate.
Writers and/or directors in the South West, South East or Midlands of England as defined by the BFI (BFI UK nations and regions map) who are actively working on a short film project that would be eligible to the BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund (download the guidelines here) and have not been funded by BFI NETWORK previously.
You must be aged 18+ and not in full time education.
As space is limited, there is a selection process before your attendance is confirmed.
Due to spaces being limited we will take into consideration as part of the assessment process if you applied and were accepted for our last event on Thursday 11 March 2021. If you were, then you will only be eligible to re-apply for this upcoming event in August with a new short film project idea, not the idea you used when you applied previously.
Producers competition
We will be running a prize draw especially for producers for this edition of Connect & Collab. One participating producer will win a special package of professional support from BFI NETWORK.
To enter all you need to do is submit an application to our current open call for Connect & Collab. We will announce the winner after applications close on 15 July 2021. The package includes:
- Bursary to attend First Option: Managing COVID-19 Risks on Productions For Freelancers (Online Course) from Film Hub South West (up to £50);
- Two one hour 1-2-1 mentoring sessions from Film Hub South East;
- Six month subscription to Movie Magic Budgeting 10 from Film Hub Midlands.
You may only apply once; only UK based producers are eligible.
Accessibility
We are committed to accessibility and we will do everything we can to remove possible barriers to attendance so please let us know how we can make the experience as useful and comfortable as possible via the application form.
You can see a plain text preview of the application forms on the following links:
If you would like the application form in another format then please email us on: bfinetwork@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk.