FAQ's

How do I apply?

1. How do I apply to the fund?
There are two simple forms to complete – one for first time feature filmmakers and one for established filmmakers. There is a small amount of information that we need to process the application and it is clearly explained on the forms.

2. How long will an application take?
The application form will be acknowledged within 14 days and an acknowledgement letter sent. If we are interested in your proposal/project we will contact you as soon as possible - depending on the volume of applications – to discuss it further.

3. Can I talk to someone about my project? Or come in and pitch it to you before applying?
It is not usual to be able to discuss a project without you giving us some brief written details about the project first, which you can do by completing the application form. If we feel the project has potential, we will contact you to arrange a meeting or find out more on the phone.

4. What projects are you looking for?
We are not prescriptive about projects. We are looking for good material from talented people that has the potential to get made well and be seen in the cinema. We are aware that this can come in many forms.

5. My project is not set in the UK – is it eligible?
It is not necessary for projects to be set in the UK but there must be some UK elements to the project – eg personnel, story, subject matter. If there is a production company attached to the project already, that company must be based in the UK or a member country of the EU.

6. Can I apply with more than one project?
Yes, but each one has to come with its own application form and will be judged separately.

7. Can I apply by myself?
Yes, for first-timers, so long as you're writing the project. Producers and/or directors cannot apply without someone who is going to write the project.

For the Feature Film Development Programme, you will need your own registered company and be able to demonstrate an ability to drive a film through the development process and an understanding of how to set it up with production financiers.

8. The First Feature Film Development awards are announced quarterly. So when should I apply? Is there a deadline? Will I stand a better chance if I apply just before the award is going to be announced?
There is no deadline for applications and when you apply makes no difference to the chances of success. The best time to apply is when you feel absolutely ready. There is no point rushing your application and sending in something with which you are unhappy.

Which stream do I apply for?

1. I've never made a film before, can I still apply?
You should apply to our First Feature Film Development Programme.

2. I've made some short films before, which stream should I apply for?
To our First Feature Film Development Programme, which is for everyone who has yet to have a feature film released theatrically in the cinema or broadcast on TV.

3. I've made a feature film, which stream should I apply for?
Has the film been released in the cinemas or broadcast in TV? If it has, then you should apply to the Feature Film Development Programme. If it hasn't then you can still apply to the First Feature Film Development Programme.

4. I'm a commissioned writer in television/a playwright/novelist/journalist. Which stream should I apply for?
If you haven't yet written a feature film that's been released in cinemas (or broadcast on TV), then you should still apply for the First Feature Film Development Programme.

5. I don't have an agent, can I still apply?
Yes.

6. I don't know anyone in the film industry, I don't go to the right parties – how can I compete with all of those media savvy types?
We will assess your application on the strength of the material and your talent, So send us something you're proud of.

7. What if one of my team is experienced and the others are not?
It depends on who that member of the team is. First Feature Film Development Programme is primarily intended for writers and writer/directors who have not yet had a feature film broadcast on TV or released in cinemas. If your writer is the experienced member of your team you cannot apply to the First Feature Film Development Programme.

8. If I am an experienced producer working with a first-time writer/director where do I apply? Should I apply to the First Feature Film Development Programme?
You're technically eligible for both but as the First Feature Film Development Development Programme is all about nurturing new talent, we'd encourage you to apply to this stream. It's an award structured on friendly terms, which enables the writer to write their idea without it costing you anything. It can be simpler to administer so you can get started on the project as soon as possible.

9. What's a demonstrable track record of success?
This award is not for first-time filmmakers. We're looking for people with clear, substantial experience in feature filmmaking and an understanding of what is required to develop a film that can get produced and released. Producers, writers, directors, writer/directors who've already had at least one feature film released theatrically and who can develop projects with a degree of autonomy and success.

10. What's the audiovisual arena and why is there this exception to first-timers in the Feature Film Development Programme?
The audiovisual arena refers to the other creative arts with a dramatic and visual storytelling basis to them. We realise there are exceptional circumstances where, although you may not have made a film before, you could be very experienced in a different area of the arts and that the cost of achieving your objective for a feature film may exceed the development costs that we can normally award in the First Feature Film Development Programme. In such rare instances, you should give a detailed explanation of why you are applying to the Feature Film Development Programme rather than the First Feature Film Development Programme. We will accept your application in this stream at our discretion.

11. Can I apply to both funding streams at once with the same project?
No. In the very rare instances when an applicant would be eligible for both, they should only apply in one stream alone. If in doubt, apply to the first film programme and we will reassign you if appropriate.

What are the application requirements?

1. Should the half page summary on why I want to make the film be from the writer or producer?
Ideally it should be from the writer. They're the ones who have to write the script and we want to know what their take is on it.
2. What should my writing sample be?
It can be any complete piece of dramatic writing which you think shows off your talent as a writer. It can be a finished draft of the screenplay for which you're applying for funding but it doesn't have to be. It's your chance to impress and reveal your talents.

3. Does my writing sample need to be complete if you don't have to read it all?
Whilst we may not read it all, a completed work will have more shape to it than a half-written idea. And given we are looking to assess your ability to write a full-length feature film, you should give us as much of a sense of the strengths of your writing as possible. So, it's in your interests to send us a complete sample that's as good as it can be.

4. I've made a fantastic short film/pop promo/advert/home video – can I send it in with my application?
There are a very few compulsory materials you need to give us but beyond that, please feel free to send us anything else that you think will strengthen your application. Bear in mind that we can not return them to you unless you send a stamp-addressed envelope (SAE) with your application.

5. Why do you ask for different length synopses, treatments, etc? Isn't one enough?
We want to get a sense of your idea and its potential. Sometimes in the development process, an early draft screenplay fails to convey the strengths of the idea. But a treatment, synopsis or a logline might. These different materials are a series of different opportunities for you to tell us what your film is going to be.

How much money can I ask for?

1.How much money can I ask for?
For First Feature Film Development awards, the maximum amount is £25,000. You don't need to specify on the form how much you want or how you want to break this figure down.

For Feature Film Development Programme awards, it's helpful if you can indicate the level of funding that you think the project will need. There are several clear ranges of finance that are indicated on the application form, so please tick one of those. If you already have a budget and cashflow for the overall costs of development please include this as well. There is a budget template available to download on the Feature Film Development Programme page. It is useful to already have an idea about the total costs associated with the story rights when you apply. The budget will be discussed/negotiated if we wish to take the project further.

2. Do I have to have match funding?
You do not need match funding to apply for the First Feature Film Development Programme.

For the Feature Film Development Programme, match or partnership funding is actively encouraged as we are obliged to explore the viability of your project and to see if there is an appetite for it in the current marketplace. It strengthens your application to us if you can bring match funding to the table from a reliable end user who can help you get your film set up and seen. It is not absolutely necessary in all cases at our discretion.

Who actually looks at my application?

1. Who actually looks at my application?
At least two people will have looked at your application.

2. Why might you only read 10 pages of my sample?
We hope to read your whole script. But we may only review approximately 10 pages in order to assess the creative merits of your writing. It needs to have something that keeps us reading – a self evidently good idea, a flair for dialogue, good jokes, well drawn characters, well constructed scenes, intriguing images, a sense of mystery, dramatic potential, etc. And bear in mind we will always read your outline, synopsis and creative rationale for making the film so you have many opportunities to engage us.

Why did my project get rejected and can I get feedback?

1. Why did my project get rejected?
We will have concluded your application is not suitable for development funding from us on creative merit or other subjective grounds, against which there is no appeal. At least two of the Development Fund team will have looked at your application. In the interests of fairness, everyone will receive a standard rejection letter.

2. Can I get feedback or a report on my project if it is rejected?
If you have submitted a feature length screenplay, a report can be obtained free of charge from an independent script service which we support - the Script Connection. This service is not connected to the Development Fund's decision making process and so any feedback they give cannot be used as a basis for an appeal. Please note that we only offer this service to feature length screenplays.

3. Can I apply again?
Applicants are always welcome to apply to either strand of the Development Fund, regardless of whether you have applied before. However, please note, in the First Feature Film Development Programme, you cannot re-apply with the same idea. In the Feature Film Development Programme, you can re-apply with the same idea but only if it has been significantly revised and/or significant elements have changed. All re-submissions to the Feature Film Development Programme must be accompanied by notes detailing these changes.

What are the basics of writing a script?

1. I've never written a screenplay before, how do I go about formatting it?
There's quite a specific way of formatting a screenplay which, whilst it isn't a requirement for applying to the fund, we highly recommend as in the commercial sector, screenplays are often rejected simply because they're not formatted correctly.

Take a look at the Wikipedia page on screenplays http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screenplay for a detailed description of the layout.

2. What is a treatment?
Different people define a treatment in slightly different ways. For our application purposes, it's a 3-5 page document about your film that should outline the story in detail – how it starts, develops and resolves, who the characters are and what they want. It should evoke the final film and be engaging enough to be read in one sitting.

If it's not a narrative film in the traditional sense, then outline what the guiding principle of the film is and what the beats are (ie what happens).

3. How do you learn how to write a good screenplay?
The first three things to do are
i) Watch lots of films
ii) Read some screenplays
iii) Keep practicing. Write and write and write.

Think about what works and what doesn't. Read screenplays of films you love, read screenplays of films you hate – what is it in those screenplays that evokes those feelings in you?

There are also various screenwriting books on how to do it, which often use lengthy analyses of famous screenplays.

Finally, there are various courses that you can take. Skillset (http://www.skillset.org/) have more information on courses.

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