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ProgrammeThe Early Development Fund is now open for applications until 11am on Tuesday 19 November.
The supports projects by writers based in the South East region. Please see here to see which regions we cover at Film Hub South East.
If you’re a new writer with an exciting, bold idea, with or without a producer, this is the fund for you.
‘New writers’ are people who have not yet written a feature film script that has been produced and distributed. This fund is also for producers and directors working with new writers.
This fund is the first step in the BFI’s development support for live-action and animated fiction projects from new writers. It supports people at the very beginning of their development process to produce an initial treatment and related materials.
Before attending any of these events please read about the fund, and the funding guidelines, on the BFI NETWORK website. The fund supports work in live-action, immersive and animation.
Programme
All sessions will take place online via Zoom with more sessions to be announced soon.
BFI NETWORK Early Development Fund Roundtables
Thursday 31 October (5:00 to 6:00pm) & Monday 11 November (5:00 to 6:00pm)
Join BFI NETWORK South East executives Thomas Wightman and Sammy Wong for an open Q&A about any questions you have about applying to the Early Development Fund. These will be informal, conversational sessions primarily for creatives who want to discuss their early-stage feature film ideas.
Projects must be at the pre-script stage and these sessions are specifically for talent based in the South East of England. For applicants in other hubs, please check your local film hub here.
Producing Genre with Oliver Kassman
Friday 1 November, 1 to 2pm
As part of an ongoing series of events supporting rising talent in applying for the Early Development Fund, we are joined in conversation by Oliver Kassman, producer of Saint Maud, Love Lies Bleeding and Out of Darkness.
This discussion is aimed at both Writers/Directors and Producers. We will look at the development of genre projects and how they can stand out. The session will also address some of the common traits with genre projects and how feasible it is to raise finance to make them.
How to tell your story concisely with Laura Jayne Tunbridge
Wednesday 6 November, 6 to 7:30pm
Join us for an online session with BAFTA-nominated screenwriter Laura Jayne Tunbridge to learn more about telling your story concisely.
The session will cover areas such as what to put in a logline, how to write a compelling synopsis, and how to express your narrative and themes when you have a limited word count on a funding application.
This session aims to help you put together a strong application for the Early Development Fund as well as help you with tips and advice for further funding applications and creating materials to pitch your project.
Please note: Registration is free but places are limited. The Zoom link will be sent to you via your Eventbrite confirmation email.
PAST EVENT: What is the Early Development Fund and How Can it Help Me?
Thursday 24 October, 5:30 to 6:30pm
Are you a writer aged 18+ with a solid background and a great feature-length (fiction) idea? Join us for an online discussion to explain what the BFI NETWORK Early Development Fund (EDF) is, and how it could support you as you embark on this important next step of your screenwriting career. Previously awarded writers from across the UK will be on hand to offer their insights, perspectives and tips, and there’ll be time at the end for your questions. Our special guests include Joe Inman, Dan Shaw and Jessi Gutch.
Before attending please read about the fund, and the funding guidelines, on the BFI NETWORK website. The fund supports work in live-action, immersive and animation.