BIFA’s yearly programme designed to support writers, directors and producers to continue and develop their careers is now open for applications.
Over 65% of BIFA longlisted filmmakers do not go on to make a second film and Springboard has been designed in response to a direct need – support filmmakers beyond early success.
Springboard is supported by the ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund with contributions from UK film productions and further funding is provided by Netflix. The programme offers a combination of sessions from experienced industry bodies and filmmakers, a support network of similarly experienced writers, directors and producers, and networking initiatives aiming to make connections to develop your career.
Sessions in previous years have come from Netflix, Curzon, BFI and Creativity Capital and covered topics including financing, sales, distribution, legals, company development and career progression and run alongside networking and skill sharing events.
The 2020/21 programme will offer sessions with a similar calibre of guests and introduces two new initiatives.
Agent Connect will put the work of any unrepresented writers and directors on the Springboard programme in front of some of the UK’s biggest agencies including Independent Talent, Casarotto, Curtis Brown and The Artists Partnership. Funding Connect is an online networking initiative connecting writers, directors and producers with producers, streamers, sales agents and financiers.
The programme will take a hybrid approach to offer the opportunity UK wide with the majority of events online but with some in-person events and networking opportunities. In-person events will be live streamed to participants not able to attend.
There are two ways of joining the Springboard programme:
BIFA Longlists – Any filmmaker longlisted in Debut Director, Debut Screenwriter, Breakthrough Producer or the Discovery Award categories are invited to join the programme automatically. Longlists are announced on 18th October.
Applications – To offer the programme more widely this year we are opening up Springboard to writers, directors and producers outside of the award longlists. This is not an entry level initiative however so applicants need to have made one feature film or three shorts that have played at BIFA recognised film festivals or online channels. Applicants must be filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds and/or based outside of London.
By underrepresented we refer to filmmakers who are woman-identifying, LGBTQ+, from a minority ethnic background, disabled or from a lower socio-economic background.
If you’d like to take part and have already submitted a film to BIFA for 2021 award consideration we recommend that you apply for Springboard via the Application route.
The deadline for applications has now passed.
We will also be running a BIFA Mentoring programme alongside the Springboard programme which will be opening for applications shortly.
BIFA are able to cover access costs required for participants to get the most from the programme including digital access costs and childcare if required.
Springboard is developed with and funded by the ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund with contributions from UK film productions. ScreenSkills is the industry-led skills body for the UK’s screen-based creative industries – animation, film, games, television including children’s TV and high-end drama, VFX and immersive technology.
