Initial Research Short Films: Part 3 - Other Funding Sources

The BFI is no doubt one of the main schemes that exists to help fund short films. But this type of funding is not necessarily available to everybody. Thankfully for these short filmmakers, there are numerous amounts of short film funds in the UK:

• Local Councils are willing to put money towards short film making, primarily if it aids the local community in any way, either via promoting certain issues, or benefiting the council itself. If the film deals with issues such as social exclusion, Local Councils are likely to be an excellent source to gather funding from.

• The 'British Council Film' is similar to the BFI in some respects. Like the BFI, they develop schemes which help promote and showcase new UK Talent for all audiences. An example is the Shorts Support Scheme, which includes a funding scheme called the Travel Grant Fund. The only way to gain accessory to this fund, is if the short filmmakers film has been accepted into any festival from their 'Key Festivals List'.

• CineCrowd is a non-profit platform where filmmakers and film lovers meet. The filmmakers have the opportunity to present their film ideas, whilst the audience contributes to get the film realised and promoted. Visiting the set, and obtaining tickets for the premiere screening is given back to the audience in return. Types of films posted on this platform include feature films, animation films, documentaries and video clips. All types of audio-visual projects are welcomed on this platform.

• Charities are notable sources for funding available to short filmmakers. The chemistry between the charity and the film is a large factor as to whether they fund your film, as the goals/aim of your short film are key to the charity. For example, The Welcome Trust is one of the UK's largest medical research charities, and has an Art Awards which funds projects, as well as short films, that are inspired by biomedical science. Here, there is clearly a large connection between the charity and aspects of the film; it shows it plays a vital role in obtaining funds from them.