South West Screen
South West Screen is the film, television and digital media agency for the South West of England.
We are committed to developing a vibrant, dynamic and constantly evolving screen culture throughout the region. Our main areas of work are business development, locations, screenwriting, exhibitions, training, education and funding.
There is a wealth of talent and a huge range of facilities here in the South West, so whether you want to shoot a major film, learn how to write scripts, get to know people in the industry or anything else, we are here to help.
Funding South West Screen
South West Screen distributes National Lottery funding on behalf of the UK FILM COUNCIL through RIFE (Regional Investment Fund for England).
South West Screen is seeking creative and innovative project proposals from organisations based in the South West for support under the National Lottery for projects which are due to commence in the 2005/06 financial year (1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006).
Project proposals need to address one or more of South West Screen's RIFE Lottery funding strands for 2005/06 as set out below.
Proposals will be assessed against these funding priorities in a two stage application process. They will also be assessed against viability, long term sustainability, creativity, partnership commitment, and regional and/or national impact.
Please note that from 2005/06, South West Screen's funding will be offered under specific funds with specific deadlines for each one. See the South West Screen website for further detail of each fund and dates for receipt of applications and panel assessment dates.
South West Screen's RIFE Lottery funding strands for 2005/06
During 2005/06, South West Screen's activities will focus on three strategic themes which tie together our aims and objectives. They are:
- Strand 1 - A focus on regional strengths
- Strand 2 - Support for talent development and retention
- Strand 3 - Developing film and moving image culture and increasing access
Prospective applicants are strongly advised to discuss their projects with South West Screen staff at an early stage. Applications are eligible from legally constituted organisations based or operating in the South West region of England. Applications for Script Development under the Project Development Fund (see strand2) are eligible from individuals living or operating in the South West region of England.
Students, staff and Board members of South West Screen are not eligible to make funding applications.
South West Screen operates a two-stage application process. All applicants must complete a Stage one RIFE Lottery application form. Following initial assessment, successful applicants will be invited to submit further information as part of Stage Two.
In order for applications to be assessed by the RIFE Lottery Panel, Stage one applications need to be received by South West Screen for internal assessment on or before the deadlines.
Digital Shorts 2005
South West Screen and the UK Film Council in association with Cornwall Film, ITV West and Aardman Animations are seeking to commission innovative short moving image ideas from individuals based in the South West who are interested in exploring new approaches to digital formats, from screen based to mobile phones.If you have an idea you'd like to submit, please see our website for more information and an application pack:
The Post Graduate Bursary Fund
South West Screen have launched a new industry-backed Post Graduate Bursary Fund which will make three awards of up to £3,000 each to students based in the South West. The bursary aims to provide financial support for talented and highly motivated students for whom the cost of continuing studies might provide a barrier to completing a post graduate vocational course.
The deadline for applications is midday on Friday 12 August 2005 and awards will be announced on 19 September 2005. For more information and details of how to apply please see the training section of our website:
STOP PRESS! Screen Shift has now been officially launched. This is a great opportunity for African and Caribbean artists living in the South West to develop moving image proposals with a cross artform element.
Contact us for further details and an application form. email
The UK Film Council is offering up to £5,000 to help buy high-quality, DVD based digital projection equipment under the Digital Fund for Non-Theatrical Exhibition.
Film clubs and societies, community groups and mobile film exhibitors are all encouraged to apply. This initiative is to encourage the screening of films in rural areas and locations that don't have convenient access to a cinema!
Look at the funding pages on South West Screens’ website www.swscreen.co.uk for more
information.
South West Screen - screenwriting
We are committed to encouraging the development and production of feature films.
First Draft to First Chance South West Screen and The Script Factory are delighted to offer a new training initiative for South West screenwriters designed specifically for those who have completed (or nearly completed) a first draft screenplay but are yet to break into the film industry.
The programme will cover:
- Finding the story in your idea
- Creating the characters and their world
- Working with genre
- What makes a strong screen story?
- Good screenwriting
- Infiltrating the industry
The scripts developed as a result of this course will be submitted to South West Screen for consideration for further development and/or production funding.
For full details and an application form go to www.swscreen.co.uk and look at the screenwriting section.
Write Up
The deadline for applications for Write Up has now closed.This scheme offered one-to-one development on script ideas, with the chance to get your final script read out by professional actors from the Bristol Old Vic.
To be kept updated with news about other upcoming funding opportunities subscribe to our fortnightly e-bulletin - email us
Breakers
South West Screen and BBC Writersroom recently ran the scheme 'Breakers' - looking for original, entertaining and diverse one-hour dramas from writers in the South West.
This initiative has now closed. For details of other upcoming screenwriting opportunities, contact info@swscreen.co.uk
Projects supported in 2003/04 were
Script development
- ‘The Fig Tree' by Peter Rosenberg and Caroline Kozaka
- 'Sticks and Stones' by Jon King
Project development
- ‘The Wives of Charlie Maxwell' by Ignition Films
- 'Septimus Seagull' by Septiums Productions and Spider Eye
For further information about South West Screen's script development initiatives, contact sarah-jane@swscreen.co.uk
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