“Lighthouse and the BFI today announce the BFI Film Fund’s brand new UK‐wide short film production
initiative is open for applications.
BFI Shorts 2012 is an exciting new scheme to help a broad range of creative talent make outstanding
short films showing they are ready to make the transition to feature films. It is open to directors,
writers and producers who have a strong track record of making work which demonstrates a distinct
voice and compelling storytelling ability.
The scheme welcomes submissions from talent working across a wide variety of creative disciplines,
including film, TV drama, theatre, online drama, commercials, documentaries and artists’ film and
video. Applicants should show how their short film proposal complements their longer term career
progression into making feature films.
BFI Shorts 2012 will support up to 20 live action shorts, each with a duration of 10 – 30 minutes and
with budgets ranging from £25,000 to £50,000. The films will be fully funded by the BFI and will be
delivered by the end of December 2012.
Emily Kyriakides, Programme Producer at Lighthouse, is working in partnership with Nicky Bentham of
Neon Films, who co‐produced Duncan Jones’ BAFTA award winning Moon, and development producer
Becca Ellson to oversee the selection and executive production of the films made through the
scheme.
Emily Kyriakides comments: “Having worked for years with emerging talent across different creative
sectors, we know that there is a wealth of outstanding talent in the UK. We’re very excited to be
working with the BFI to support a diverse and inspiring slate of films which will delight audiences and
help to launch some brilliant feature filmmaking careers.”
Chris Collins, BFI Film Fund Senior Executive, said: “We’re pleased to be working with Lighthouse on
BFI Shorts 2012, an important scheme for emerging filmmaking talent across the UK. By opening the
opportunity to experienced creatives working across a range of disciplines, we hope the scheme will
uncover some exciting new filmmakers with the potential to go on to great things in the future.”
Lighthouse was selected to manage BFI Shorts 2012 in recognition of its exceptional hands‐on work
with UK filmmakers, and the successful delivery of schemes such as BBC Drama Shorts and Guiding
Lights, the UK’s leading film mentoring programme, which connects film talent with some the
industry’s biggest names, including Sam Mendes, Tim Bevan, Barbara Broccoli and Kenneth Branagh.
For details about the BFI Shorts 2012 application and selection process, please see:
http://www.lighthouse.org.uk
The deadline for applications is 5pm, Friday 23 March 2012.
For further information:
To sign up to the Lighthouse mailing‐list to receive further updates, as well as information about the
Lighthouse programme please visit: http://www.lighthouse.org.uk/contact