Wandsworth are teaming up with Kensington and Chelsea council, Film London and Skillset to launch the 2011 Short Film Fund.
Budding young film-makers are being offered £4,000 grants by Wandsworth Council, it emerged today.
Wandsworth are teaming up with Kensington and Chelsea council, Film London and Skillset to launch the 2011 Short Film Fund.
To qualify, the producer or director must live or work in either of these two boroughs.
Films must be under 12 minutes and applicants must not have released or distributed more than two films in the past.
Manager of The Studio, Simon Dobias, said although information-age technology allows widespread film ‘publication’ using social media sites such as Youtube, the industry is still extremely hostile towards young entrepreneurs.
“Real films require real money – we’re talking equipment, film stock, post-production editing, props, location and crew. £4,000 could really tip the balance in their favour,” he said.
Opposition councillors have criticized the move, suggesting the money could be better spent – especially during a period of economic recession.
However, Director of Squint Opera Ollie Alsop warned: “If you don’t invest in the future of culture and the arts, the entire industry will starve later down the line and won’t be revived.”
Successful applicants will be short-listed for Film London’s Best of Borough Film Awards (Bobs) a programme introduced in 2006 designed to promote grassroots talent and stimulate local film production.
Wandsworth Council’s Arts and Culture spokesman Jonathan Cook said: “It’s a terrific opportunity and I thoroughly recommend anyone with film-making aspirations to put together an application.”
