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| 22 July 2008 |
Film London's 'Microwave' Scheme Calls For Applications |
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Film London's micro-budget film-making scheme, Microwave, has opened for the next round of applications.
Microwave challenges filmmakers to shoot a full-length feature film for a budget not exceeding £100,000, including all cash and in-kind support.
Film London can offer up to £75,000 maximum per project in exceptional circumstances, though typically awards are in the region of £50,000.
Launched in 2006, with the support of Skillset and the BBC, the scheme provides an intensive approach to filmmaking with an emphasis on tightly focused scripts and short production schedules. The scheme includes mentoring from established industry professionals and is open to London-based production teams looking to move from short filmmaking to features.
Film London is initially looking for a shortlist of ten projects which will go forward to the agency's four day 'Microschool' where the film-makers will receive practical advice from experts about the process of getting projects from page to screen. They will be encouraged to implement some of this advice before taking part in a competitive pitch where up to five of the projects will be greenlit for production.
Potential Microwave participants can access the application form online at: www.filmlondon.org.uk/microbudget. The deadline for entries is September 26.
The first two completed Microwave films are currently causing serious industry interest, with Steven Sheil's contemporary horror 'Mum & Dad' a recent hit at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and due to screen at FrightFest later in the year. And with Eran Creevy's story of a Muslim crack cocaine dealer, 'Shifty', causing similar excitement, Film London look forward to announcing UK distribution and international sales deals on both titles very soon.
Three further films are in pre-production: dark psychological thriller 'Analogue', which will be directed by Suki Singh; Jes Benstock's Alternative Miss World documentary, 'The British Guide to Showing Off' (working title); and 'Freestyle', a teen romance based around the world of freestyle basketball, which will be directed by Kolton Lee.
Following the success of the production scheme, Film London has also launched a dedicated Microwave website which gives not only practical advice on all aspects of micro-budget filmmaking, but also provides an online forum for the filmmakers. Microwave Online can be found at: www.filmlondon.org.uk/microwave.
Maggie Ellis, Head of Production at Film London, said: "Microwave has proved to be an enormous success and the film-making talent that we've seen has been remarkable right from the start. With a shortlist of only ten projects, the new applicants need to demonstrate not only that they have a good script idea with commercial legs, but also that they have the talent, commitment and determination to make it go all the way to the screen. So we are looking forward to being impressed!"
(KMcA/JM)
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