THE SEARCH is on for Keighley people with the drive to create striking original short films.  

Bradford Council is launching a new grant scheme for experienced amateur and professional filmmakers to create movies 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 Bradford district by awarding two sets of grants, one up to £1,000 and the other up to £4,000.

The films can be on any subject and the tone can be distinctive, unexpected, disruptive, serious or witty. They can be 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. All filmmakers, crew and other participants must take into account the public health guidelines around Covid-19 at all times.

The short films can be made on any equipment from a mobile phone to high-end kit. Applications must be in by October 12, and the films completed by January 31. 

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

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 Covid-19 guidelines.

Part of the funding for these projects has been re-directed from this year’s Bradford Festival funding.

Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s 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.”

Visit bradford.gov.uk/arts-and-culture/funding/make-film for further information.