Resources + Competitions (W.C. 27 February)

1.The BMW Filmmaking Challenge In Partnership with BFI

BFI has partnered with BMW UK and Michaela Coel to offer five filmmaking teams the chance to break new ground and quite literally push the boundaries of what our screens can offer.

Encouraging filmmakers to dream big and expand their ambitions, The BMW Filmmaking Challenge in partnership with the BFI is inspired by the all-electric BMW i7 and its ultra-wide 31.3-inch rear-passenger theatre screen. We’re looking for filmmakers who are excited to experiment with this new visual form and create a short film that makes the most of the brand-new 32:9 aspect ratio.

They are welcoming applications from filmmaking teams made up of writers, directors and producers in any genre or style, across fiction, documentary or animation. Under the theme ‘Evolving Perspectives’ we’re looking for ideas that aim to surprise and inspire within a duration of 90 seconds. 

Applications are now open.

Your film can be about anything or anyone as long as it ties into evolving our perspective in some way – how you interpret that is completely up to you. This is an opportunity to have fun and fall back in love with the purest elements of filmmaking, bringing to life a brilliant idea and telling a story. 90 seconds is a challenge we put to you as the creatives in our industry who have something to say in a fresh and unique way and are excited by what this new wider frame has to offer. 

Five successful films will be provided with access to the latest 8K camera equipment on top of a £10,000 production budget to bring your idea to life, as well as editorial and production support from an exec producer from the BFI. Emmy award-winning writer, director, and actress Michaela Coel will act as the mentor, supporting the execution of the filmmakers’ visions, from discussing creative influences through to the production itself, and throughout the project you will also have the chance to meet the BFI NETWORK and BFI Film Fund teams.

The five films created will be judged by an esteemed panel of film experts and one film will be selected to screen as part of the Closing Night Gala at the BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express. After this, all five films will screen as a collection on BFI Player.

Applications are now open and will close at 5pm on Wednesday 22 March 2023

Apply now

Before applying please see terms and conditions

register to receive notifications about the Challenge.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact  bmwchallenge@bfi.org.uk

2. NEW Library Resources at LCC

The latest issue of Screen journal:


Two playlists on Box of Broadcasts

The RKO Story: Tales from Hollywood

The six-part BBC documentary from 1987 tells the story of RKO Pictures. Plus dozens of the studio’s classic movies in chronological order.

You can watch it HERE

WCA Disability Pride Month

A playlist of TV shows and Films to celebrate Disability Pride Month. Created by WCA Library staff.

You can watch it HERE

NOTE: To access the playlists students need to sign in using the University of the Arts London as home institution.

3. BFI NETWORK SHORTS SCHOOL, March 2023

A four-day Lab dedicated to the moving image, in the short form.

Over the course of a week, Shorts School participants will hear insights from BFI NETWORK-funded filmmakers and meet other creatives. Whether you’re working towards your first short or sixth, Shorts School is for early-level writers, directors & producers to explore case studies, creative process, navigating the industry with your short work, and everything you need to know about applying to the BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund which will reopen in 2023.

There will be roundtables, Q&As, the chance to view short work that’s come through the Short Film Fund, as well as a networking session to meet peers and potential collaborators. 

While Shorts School is oriented around the short form, they recognise that early level creators can be (and should be) platform agnostic, and therefore we will draw inspiration from other creative pathways beyond the narrative short film.

Guest speakers include;

  • Isher Sahota, writer & director (Goodnight Henry)
  • Jamie MacDonald, producer (Goodnight Henry)
  • Aminder Vardee, writer (My Eyes Are Up Here)
  • Arthur Meek, writer (My Eyes Are Up Here)
  • Nathan Morris, director (My Eyes Are Up Here)
  • Toby Wharton, writer & director (Held)
  • Marco Alessi, writer & director (The Bower)

Dates: 

13 – 16 March 2023

From 1pm each day.

FREE TO ATTEND:

NB: Film London has developed this as a 4-day Lab, and recommends you attend all sessions, where possible. The program itinerary will be sent nearer the time.

Find more information and register HERE