Donate

BFI NETWORK South East: Writers Labs

January - April 2025

Home Film Hub South East BFI NETWORK BFI NETWORK South East: Writers Labs

Take me to:

Who can apply? What happens next? Application form

We will be hosting three Writers Labs in the South East to provide support to talented writers with ambitions to develop a feature film treatment or a short film script.  

Focusing on story and development, each Lab is set up to support you in any future application to BFI NETWORK funds for early treatment development or short film funding.  

The Labs will be led by the BFI NETWORK South East Talent Executives Tom Wightman and Sammy Wong. You will be invited to share feedback to the rest of the group on each other’s short or feature film ideas.  

The Labs are free to attend, with refreshments and/or lunch included.  

Please note that eligibility for each Lab is limited to individuals residing in specific unitary authority areas (councils):  

  • Margate – these applications are now closed.
  • Oxford – open to applicants based in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bracknell Forest, Reading, Slough, West Berkshire, Windsor & Maidenhead, Wokingham, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Surrey, Hertfordshire
  • Norwich – open to applicants based in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Essex, Bedfordshire, Luton 

Each Lab has a different application deadline which you can view on the right. You are welcome to apply early and we will save your application on file, however we will not assess your application until after the Lab deadline.  

If for any reason attending a different Lab is preferable for you, please get in touch and we can advise.  

Each Lab will take exactly the same format.  

Modest financial support will be available to help with travel costs to and from the Lab.   

With many thanks to the National Centre for Writing, Film Oxford and the Turner Contemporary Gallery for supporting these events.

MARGATE

Date: Thursday 16th January, 11 AM – 4 PM
Venue: Turner Contemporary Gallery
Application deadline: NOW CLOSED

OXFORD

Date: Wednesday 12th February, 11 AM – 4 PM
Venue: Film Oxford
Application deadline: 27th January, 10 AM

NORWICH

Date: Tuesday 8th April, 1 PM – 5 PM
Venue: National Centre for Writing
Application deadline: 16th March, 10 AM

Who can apply?

Participation in the BFI NETWORK Writers Labs is free and open to writers from all creative disciplines with an idea for a short film (under 15 minutes in length) or a feature film idea.

As space is limited, there is a selection process before your attendance is confirmed.

To apply you must be:

  • Over 18
  • Not in full time education
  • Based in the South East of England, as defined by the BFI (please refer to this map of the regions)

As part of your application, please also complete a Diversity Monitoring Form. We’re collecting this information to help us evaluate our work to increase diversity and inclusivity in the sector. The information you provide here will be anonymous and won’t be connected to or identifiable with your application.

If you like, you can download a copy of the application form below to prepare your application in advance, but you most apply via the form on this page.

If you have particular access requirements (e.g. easy read documents) and would like to submit your application in another way, please email us and we’ll be happy to discuss options.

What happens next?

We aim to let all applicants know whether they have been successful by:  

  • Friday 10th January for applications to the Margate Lab  
  • Friday 24th January for applications to the Oxford Lab  
  • Friday 21st March for applications to the Norwich Lab  

If you have any queries please contact bfinetwork@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk

Application form

BFI NETWORK Writers Labs Application Form

"*" indicates required fields

About you

(first name, last name)
Which Writers Lab are you applying for?*
(As the scheme is for those living in the South East we may ask you to provide proof of address during the assessment timeline)
Age*
Are you in full-time education?*
If you answered yes, please note that you are not eligible for this scheme at this time.
Have you ever taken part in a BFI NETWORK lab or workshop before?*
Have you ever been awarded BFI NETWORK funding for a short film?*
If you answered yes, please note that you are not eligible for this scheme.
Max 100 words or answer via audio/video in under two minutes in length. Files can be added at the end of the form.

Your short film or feature idea

E.g. drama, comedy, horror (please note that, due to the nature of BFI NETWORK funding, we don’t accept documentary projects)
You could give us an idea of the main character's journey, the key themes you are interested in exploring in your script, and include any 'spoilers'. To give us an idea of tone and atmosphere you could include a comparison to other film/TV/media (eg 'This is Rye Lane meets Skins'). If preferable, you can answer via audio/video in under three minutes. Files can be added at the end of the form.
You could frame this as ‘what are the story's weaknesses?’ ‘what are its strengths?’ and ‘what needs developing?’

Final details

The Lab will take place in person at the specified venue. Please confirm your intention to attend if your application is successful. Because spaces are competitive, if you do not confirm your participation following a successful application, we will offer your space to another person.*
Will you need financial support to travel (e.g. train tickets)? *
Modest financial support will be available to help with travel costs to and from the Lab.
We want to make sure we can provide the adjustments you need to ensure you get the most out of the programme. If you do have access requirements then please describe them here:
How did you hear about this programme?*
Would you like to sign up to our monthly BFI NETWORK South East newsletter?*
Would you like to sign up to any of our partner organisations’ newsletters?
Diversity Monitoring Form*
Please upload any files you'd like considered in your application here. Make sure to label the file name so that it's clear which part of the application form it refers to. If the files are too big to upload here, please share a download link to the files in the relevant part of the application form.
Drop files here or
Max. file size: 50 MB.

    Subscribe to our mailing list

    What would you like to receive emails about? *
    * indicates required
    Join the mailing list

    Be first to hear about jobs, opportunities, our training, films and much more
    Get in touch

    Got a question about independent cinema? Send us an email

    Our website uses cookies. This is so we can analyse how people use the website and improve it, and to optimise your experience.  For more details see our privacy policy.