BFI Film Academy: Short Cut Film Fund

Delivered by Young Film Network South East

Through Short Cut Film Fund, each year we are able to support three aspiring young filmmakers to receive a grant of £1000 to create a short film. Successful applicants will receive tailored mentorship to support their creative development as well as a 121 session with BFI NETWORK talent executives.

 

For more information, please read this year’s guidelines below. Download a PDF version of the fund guidelines.

 

A promotional image reading "Short Cut Film Fund 2025" with a behind the scenes shot. There are 6 people in the shot smiling at each other, one of them is holding camera equipment.

Behind the scenes of ‘6.03’ by Chris Jae Brown, Short Cut Film Fund 2024.

About the Short Cut Film Fund

This opportunity is for three aspiring filmmakers aged 16-25 years old to receive a grant of £1000 towards creating a short film of five minutes maximum. This includes all stages of production from start to finish including script, shooting, post-production etc. You will also receive tailored mentorship from filmmakers to support your creative development.  

The aim of this programme is to nurture underrepresented aspiring filmmakers and guide you through your first filmmaking experience with financial support. The grant aims to help you create a short film that showcases your storytelling vision. It is the perfect first step to develop your skills in preparation for you to apply for other film funds, such as the BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund. 

This programme focuses on creative process rather than product. We are interested in seeing how the film reflects your development from idea to screen and encourage you to explore your ambition to deliver something that showcases your filmmaking potential.  You don’t need to have access to high quality equipment either; you can make this on your phone or any device that can capture your story.  

The £1000 grant could go towards casting, post-production costs, crew costs etc. Please note that to hire out camera equipment you will need insurance, which is a large cost. We recommend looking for extra funding sources if this is your goal. When preparing your budget, please factor in that BFI requires you to pay all your cast and crew at least London Living Wage (£13.85 per hour). If you do not include this in your budget, you cannot advertise to recruit cast or crew. 

The deadline to complete and deliver your short film is 12 September 2025. 

At the end of the programme, you are invited to showcase your work at the Film Hub South East Forum at BFI Southbank in February 2026 to exhibitors and festivals across the South East.

Programme overview

The three selected filmmakers will receive mentorship from a filmmaker who has had their short film funded and supported by BFI NETWORK South East. They will offer:  

  • Guidance on developing a short film idea into a shooting script 
  • Guidance on how to make a short film such as budgeting, casting, storyboards, shot list, casting, crewing and more 
  • Guidance on developing knowledge and skills that will be useful for you to explore and navigate the film industry

Who is this for?

  • 16-25 year olds currently living in the South-East region (as defined by the BFI – you can see the map to check your eligibility here). Please note that as this region excludes London, any London-based applicants will not be eligible. We will require proof of address to proceed. 
  • No filmmaking experience is required 
  • You must not have any professional filmmaking credits as a writer/director/producer. This includes professional IMDB credits.  
  • You must not be represented by an agent  
  • You must not be currently enrolled in higher education
  • This opportunity is aimed at people with little or no previous access to filmmaking resources. Therefore, if you have studied a filmmaking course before, you may not be eligible. You are welcome to get in touch if you are not sure.
    (if you have participated in BFI Film Academy short courses you are still welcome to apply)  

We strongly welcome and encourage applicants from under-represented groups: these include those who identify as working class, are experiencing economic challenges currently, blind or visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, Disabled, LGBTQIA+, and/or are black and global majority people.  

How to apply

Using the below linked application form, please submit:  

  • Maximum of 200 words about why you are applying for this opportunity 
  • Maximum of 200 words about your idea for a short film with a running time of no longer than five minutes.  
  • The film should have no more than a cast of three actors and be set in no more than two locations.  
  • Maximum of 200 words outline of key elements of your pre-production plan (this includes everything before shooting your film: budget, screenplay, schedule etc)  
  • Maximum of 200 words outline of key elements of your production plan (this includes everything you need to shoot your film: location, equipment, crew, schedule etc)  
  • Maximum of 200 words outline of key elements of your post-production plan (this includes everything after shooting your film: editing, sound, effects, schedule etc)  
  • Maximum 200 words outline of how you would spend the £1000 grant  

You may send a video or audio recording up to 5 minutes if you prefer. There is a space to put a video link on the application form page, or please email it to [email protected]

We don’t expect you to have expert skills and knowledge, we just want to understand your idea better as well as your approach as an aspiring filmmaker.

Selection process: 

All applications will be assessed by Young Film Network South East and BFI NETWORK South East teams.  Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an informal meeting on Zoom. If you have any access requirements to complete your application please get in touch with us at [email protected]

Application deadline: 23:59, Monday 26 May, 2025.

We will aim to give you a decision by Tuesday 10 June 2025.

There are some other provisional dates for virtual meetups to be aware of, should you be selected. Please ensure that you will be available for all of these, as they are an essential part of the programme.  

  • Wednesday 2 July 2025 
  • Wednesday 30 July 2025 
  • Wednesday 13 August 2025 

There will also be two mentoring sessions within this timeframe, with dates to be determined based on your and the mentors’ availability.

For inspiration on filmmaking and writing applications, check out the below resources: 

Applications are now closed.

This scheme is made possible with support from BFI Film Academy awarding National Lottery funding.

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