A NEW grant scheme has been launched for experienced amateur and professional filmmakers to create short films.

Bradford Council is looking for people to create original short films of between 90 seconds and 12 minutes.

The MAKE : FILM project aims to showcase the talent of contemporary storytellers of any age based in the District by awarding two levels of grants up to £1,000 and up to £4,000.

The films can be on any subject and made in any genre and style – documentary, fiction, animation, cross-genre, narrative or presented. They must be suitable for broadcast/exhibition in public for audiences of all ages and all filmmakers, crew and other participants must take into account the public health guidelines around Covid-19 at all times.

People have until October 12 to get their application in and they will then have until January 31 to complete their film.

The plan is for these films to be shown and distributed by Bradford Council and other partners including Bradford2025, Bradford UNESCO City of Film and the National Science and Media Museum via digital platforms, social media and at screenings, subject to Covid 19 guidelines.

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A selection of the films will be considered by the BFI National Film and Television Archive to be taken into the national collection.

Another project, SHOW : FILM, for members of the public to organise their own community film screenings, is scheduled to be launched next year subject to guidelines allowing people to gather in large groups.

Part of the funding for these projects has been re-directed from this year’s Bradford Festival funding. The popular summer event was cancelled due to Covid 19.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “We’re looking for bold, diverse and confident filmmaking from people who live or study in the Bradford district.

“As we prepare for bidding for City of Culture 2025 and a new cultural strategy is being developed, we are looking for content that showcases the unique nature and characteristics of the district and its people."

For more information about the MAKE : FILM grants visit https://www.bradford.gov.uk/arts-and-culture/funding/make-film/