Northern Heart Doc Fund to support two North West filmmakers

The Northern Heart Doc Fund has announced it will support two emerging North West documentary filmmakers with a £500 grant for each to help make a short documentary.

The scheme, a collaboration between Northern Heart Films, Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council and Leigh Film Factory, will also provide the winners with mentoring and a chance to showcase their work on the big screen.

The competition organisers are especially keen to hear from filmmakers from working class backgrounds and those who have struggled to access opportunities and funding in the past.

ENTRY CRITERIA

• You can’t be in full time education at the time of applying for this scheme.
• Applicant must be based in the North West, locations include – (Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside).
• The winner must be a resident in the UK with the right to work.
• The applicant must have an interest and passion for documentary filmmaking.
• You are still eligible to apply if you haven’t made documentary films before. If this is the case then you should be able to demonstrate some level of filmmaking experience in your application.
• You must apply to this scheme with your idea for a documentary.
• Applications are open to anyone over the age of 18.
• Film must be completed by 31st March 2023

THE AWARD

The fund will provide two filmmakers with:

• £500 grant
  A grant of £500 will be awarded to help towards the creation of your film.
• Cinema screening at Leigh Film Factory
  You will have the unique opportunity to premiere your film at the newly built Leigh Film Factory, Greater Manchester. Your chance to share your work on the big screen to a bunch of industry guests. You will also have the opportunity to invite your own guests and talk about the process of making your film.
• Mentoring
  You will have at least three mentoring sessions with an award winning documentary filmmaker at Northern Heart Films. This would include a session for ideas and story development; logistics of the film shoot; and a review session of the first draft

KEY DATES

• Scheme launch: 9th December 2022
• Deadline for applications: Midnight 5th January 2023
• Shortlisted applicants selected: W/C 9th January 2023
• Interviews: 16th January 2023
• Decision: 17th January 2023
• Production: January to March 2023
• Final cut deadline: 31st March 2023
• Screening date: April 2023. Date tbc.

Please note: These dates may be subject to change. If this is the case all entrants will be notified in advance.

For full details and to apply, visit Northern Heart Films’ website.