Apply for Roundhouse Film Fund 2025

Do you have an incredible short film idea? We can help you make it happen and get it screened.

We’re looking to support 3 emerging filmmakers to create new short films exploring social and political issues from their unique perspectives.

About Roundhouse Film Fund

Twice a year the Roundhouse Film Fund commissions 3 micro short films, the Film Fund support is split into two phases:

• Firstly the fund is an opportunity for an early career filmmaker / director to cut their teeth and create a professionally commissioned film. Roundhouse supports the filmmakers through the development, prep and production stages with resources, mentoring and access to kit and studios.
• The second phase is to support the filmmaker and their producer (if they have one) to create a distribution and platforming strategy and their next career steps through mentoring, screening, contacts and platforming.

Roundhouse Film Fund is supported by the Wiggin Charitable Foundation.

Who we’re looking for

We are looking for applications from directors who are 18-25 years old. We encourage application partnerships with producers but this isn’t necessary. In order to benefit from the distribution strategy phase of the fund we need producers to be 18-30 years old.

The Film Fund aims to commission and support a creative and innovative artistic approach to presenting socially relevant films that are entertaining, enlivening and inspiring for audiences. We want to offer a platform for open minded discussion, radical thinking and balance wherever possible, building on the heritage of the Roundhouse as a platform for cultural revolution.

The fund exists to support the next generation of filmmakers in creating dynamic, experimental content, with the added bonus of providing screening opportunities at Roundhouse and support to get your film into international film festivals. shows.

To be successful you will need to have a strong film idea and the skills/experience you need to make it.

We’re open to all genres of films – from narrative to animation, documentary to experimental – but the film must be under 5 minutes in duration.

Your film should be about social and/or political issues from your perspective. It should reflect the time we are living in now and identify the issue(s) which are most important to you.

What you get:

• £1000 production budget for you to spend on making your film
• A professional mentor with industry experience and connections, chosen to support your specific needs and ambitions.
• Potential paid for contribution from a Composer via Bucks Music
• Additional in-kind production support from Roundhouse Staff
• Equipment: Access to the Roundhouse in-house camera, sound and lighting kit and/or loan from the kit house VMI up to an insurable value of £100,000*
• The chance to showcase your film at a public screening event programmed by The Roundhouse and then later down the line a Roundhouse supported online launch via Roundhouse channels.
• Free Roundhouse Creative Studios Membership valid for 12 months from registration
• Your film will be submitted for the Wiggin Emerging Filmmakers Award in Winter 2024. Winner of the award will receive a further £8,000 funding and £2000 worth of support to develop their film career. The award will be facilitated by the Roundhouse.
• Winners will also receive mentorship and support from various industry professionals including Wiggin professionals.
• Distribution planning support and masterclasses after the screening

Do you need any particular skills or experience?

You will need to already have all the relevant skills necessary to make your film, this is an independent study programme.

However, you will be supported by an experienced professional writer/director who will advise and provide feedback from script to screen.

You will be paired with industry professional mentors who will be able to share their experience and advice, chosen to support your specific needs and ambitions.

How to apply

To apply please read our Ts and Cs document and our guide on how to write a film treatment and then fill out the online application form. Deadline for submissions is Monday 27 January 2025, 10am. 

Unfortunately due to the number of applications we receive and our team’s capacity we will be unable to provide feedback to applicants at this stage.

If you have any questions about the fund or the application process please do get in touch via media.projects@roundhouse.org.uk.

• 11-12 February – Interviews
• w/c 17 February – Mentoring conversations
• 3 March – Production starts
• 12 weeks for Production
• 18 May – Deadline for final film and all assets
• Date TBC – Screening