Who it's for
Helping young people to tell the stories that matter most to them
The fund is for young people aged between 17 and 25 who have an interest in socially positive filmmaking. The fund is accessible to anyone in the UK.
The purpose of this film fund is to help emerging young filmmakers. The idea is to give young people a voice, an opportunity to shout about and celebrate the things that matter to them most and to engage them in filmmaking. With our goal as a social enterprise focusing on young people considering video production or media careers, we feel that this could be an opportunity to take the leap and start that journey. For those who are already producing work, it could be an opportunity to work on a passion project and learn valuable skills without footing the bill.
Theme
Each year we will set a different theme related to a social topic to help steer the direction of the films. This year we are looking for films based around the idea of ‘Diversity’. As with every year this is very much open to interpretation for our filmmakers and could be anything from simply celebrating the diversity of people, to celebrating and/or recognising specific communities, cultures, LGBTQA+ groups, disabilities, neurodiversity or a specific age group! It could also be a spotlight on a particular charity or organisation that you feel passionately about that helps a particular group of people or even celebrating an individual person who you think has done something incredible despite barriers they may have had placed in their way.
What we’re looking for
- A treatment for a film of under 10 minutes in length, using the provided template which you can download here
- Any medium – this could be live action, animation or stop-motion
- Any format – this can be either fiction or non-fiction
- Availability to produce your film between February and May 2025
What goes into the treatment?
- An overview of your film idea, why you think this story should be told and how you will make it.
- A breakdown of your budget to show if the idea is feasible. Consider the cost of locations, cast, props, music and/or equipment.
How it works
“There can only be two!”. The winners will be chosen based on their idea, creativity and ability to appropriately budget for the project. As well as the Neck of the Woods Films teams, we will have a panel of independent judges who will vote on their favourite ideas.
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Investment
A filmmaking budget of £1000 per winner to create and produce your film with, covering the costs you’ve laid out in your treatment.
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Mentorship
3 mentoring sessions with Neck of the Woods Films. This would include a session for; introduction and ideas, development and logistics of the film and a review session of the first draft.
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Filmmaking literature
Helpful filmmaking literature. This will vary depending on the winner’s interests and age.
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Award and certificate
The winners will be presented with an award and certificate to recognise their hard work and achievement.
Key dates
Please note entries for the 2024 Young Filmmakers Fund are now closed.
Monday 30th September 2024 – Entries open
Friday 29th November 2024 – Deadline for entries
Thursday 16th January 2025 – Shortlisted applicants selected
Monday 3rd February 2025 – Winner notified and prizes awarded
Early February 2025 – First mentorship call
February to May 2025 – Production of the film
End of April 2025 – Second mentorship call – production update/editing plan
Friday 2nd May 2025 – First draft of film due and final mentorship call for feedback
Monday 2nd June 2025 – Final film delivered
June (Date TBC) – Film screening of the winners films
Please note that depending on the number of entries we receive these dates may be subject to change. If this is the case all entrants will be notified in advance.
In the event that we don’t receive enough entries to have a fair judging process then the competition may be postponed and any existing entries will be rolled over.
How to apply
All entries must be sent to entries@notwfilms.com with the e-mail subject:
Young Filmmakers Fund 2024.
Please include the following in your e-mail:
Your name
Your age
Address
E-mail address
Phone number
Your treatment
Please note that any personal information collected in relation to this film fund will only be used for the purpose of validating your entry and getting in touch with the successful applicants. This information will only be accessible to the Neck of the Woods Films team. Judges will only be able to access the names and ages of applicants. All information will be securely stored in compliance with GDPR and after the prize is awarded this information will be destroyed.
For more information please read our privacy policy
Previous winners and runner up - 2023
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Ruby & Rad with A Breath of Fresh Air
Ruby and Rad submitted their idea for a film called ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’. The film is about our connection with nature and the importance of enjoying it and protecting it while we still can. The tagline for the film in the treatment was “There is beauty in the damaged environment, you just have to go and explore.” A message that the film lives and breathes.
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Matt with Scooter
Matt submitted a concept for a film called ‘Scooter’ about a Portuguese street dog who was rescued by his owner Kirstie when she was diagnosed with PTSD after working in the Police for over 20 years. Scooter is now the UK’s first Surf Therapy Dog, running his own surf school specifically for children and adults with social issues. With key themes of inclusive participation and mental health, plus a cinematic surf topic.
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Veronika with Weeping Willow
Veronika submitted a concept for a film called ‘Weeping Willow’. It’s a film about the Willow Project that summarises not only of what the project is, but the environmental damage that will come about as a result of the project. It brings together experts and people with lived experience to make a call-to-action to reconsider this controversial project.
Previous winners - 2022
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Lauren Parker with Hold Her Hand
Lauren submitted an idea for a film called ‘Hold Her Hand’. The film is about the way that women who have suffered domestic abuse help and lift each other up.
Lauren’s personal connection through her mum’s work, her passion for this story (and socially positive storytelling generally) and her determination to tell a story of positivity really won us over. Combined with an incredibly detailed treatment it was a complete package.
In summer 2022 Hold Her Hand won the award for ‘Best Women Empowerment’ film at the Roma Short Film Festival.
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Anas Sfagsi and Joshua Fields with SO14
Anas and Joshua submitted a concept for a film called ‘SO14’. It’s a film about the rich cultures and communities that make up the city of Southampton and the idea that despite a seeming lack of connection, there is something that binds them together.
We were all blown away by how much detail they put into their pitch, the well thought out nature of their story and the proof of concept they included as part of it. We just felt that they instantly understood the theme of community and put that at the core of their film in a creative and interesting way.