Deadline: January 31, 2024
Applications are open for The Whickers Film & TV Funding Award 2024. The Film & TV Funding Award is awarded annually to an emerging filmmaker from anywhere in the world with the most promising pitch for a director-led documentary.
The Whickers were established in 2015 to fund and recognise original and innovative documentary. They seek to use the generous legacy of our namesake, pioneering broadcaster Alan Whicker, to support emerging film and audio documentary-makers in the funding and production of director led programmes.
Award
- A main award worth £100,000 and a development award for the runner-up of £20,000 are available.
Eligibility
- Open to filmmakers from anywhere in the world. They encourage international filmmakers to apply;
- Must be the filmmaker or filmmakers’ first 50+ minute documentary film where they own the director or co-director credit;
- Projects must be at the late development to early production stage at the time of applying – this is not a finishing fund;
- Award money cannot be paid to an individual. Therefore applicants must either: provide proof of company viability; have a fiscal sponsor on board; have a nominated production company on board to create a dedicated project account for their film; or confirm that they are willing to set up a limited company and dedicated project account if shortlisted;
- Up to six minutes of original taster footage is required at the time of applying;
- Must be accessible for an English-speaking audience – whether in the English language, or subtitled in English;
- Applicants must have an executive producer on board at the time of applying;
- Should they be shortlisted, applicants must be available to travel to the UK in June to pitch their project at Sheffield DocFest (reasonable travel and accommodation covered by The Whickers);
- They ask that the budget for your 50+ minute documentary film does not exceed £400,000 at the time of application;
- Applicants who at the time of application have other funding sources over the value of £300,000 are not eligible.
What They Look for:
- Director-led Story
- Storyteller with demonstrably strong interviewing skills.
- Demonstrates passion for the subject whilst retaining fair-mindedness.
- Demonstrates a real sense of independence.
- Personal but not partisan.
- Wry humour welcome.
- Strictly no ‘Whicker impersonations’.
- Engagement
- Unique access to engaging characters in unusual or inaccessible locations.
- Allows contributor’s story to emerge in their own words.
- Demonstrates a flair for coaxing the human spirit into revealing itself.
- The author demonstrates intimacy with but does not overshadow the subject.
- Curiousity
- Spirit of inquisitiveness that leaves viewers wanting more.
- Tells us about something new and unexpected about the world.
- Excites wonder.
- Understands how wit can illuminate the toughest or most nuanced real life drama.
- Original Use of Technology
- Playful with storytelling means – breaking new ground and/or using old ground to re-invent new style
- Not Partisan
- No campaigning, pre-set agendas or political theories.
Application
For more information, visit Whickers Film & TV Funding Award.
