1. Eligibility:
- The fund is open to filmmakers all around the world.
- Participants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of entry.
- Film Production Companies can enter.
2. Submission Guidelines:
- Submissions must be original, unpublished works.
- Scripts must be in English for both competitions.
- Scripts must not exceed 25 pages for both competitions.
- Treatments and Decks are encouraged.
- Producers submitting must either have a Director, a Writer, or both attached. Directors and Writers are welcome to submit independently.
- Submitters must have an idea of budget and costs.
- There is no limit on the number of submissions one may enter.
- Only electronic submissions (PDF) will be accepted.
- Final deadline for submission is Sunday, April 5th, 2026 at 23:59 GMT.
- If selected among the nominees in the main competition, you will be given the opportunity to pitch your film at Bolton Film Festival on Friday, October 2nd 2026, of which attendance will be mandatory.
3. Judging Criteria:
- Submissions will be judged based on creativity, originality, storytelling, and feasibility for production. All genres are welcome.
- Our Jury is composed of members from Bolton Film Festival, Network Ireland Television, Festival Formula, London Flair PR, and Directors Notes in addition to Slick Films staff and alumni, which includes Academy and BAFTA winners and nominees.
- The decision of the judging panel is final.
4. Intellectual Property:
- By submitting a script, participants confirm that they are the sole author and copyright holder of the work.
- The participant retains all intellectual property rights to their script.
5. Stipulations:
- The funding must be exclusively for the production of the submission.
- The funding award is non-transferable and non-negotiable.
- The funding will be accessible 1 month before principal photography.
- The winning script must enter production within 12 months from notification of winning, after which Slick Films reserves the right to withdraw its funding if the script fails to enter production within the specified time.
6. Announcement of Winner:
- The 5 Nominees from the main competition will be notified via email in August, 2026 and will be invited to pitch their script at Bolton Film Festival on Friday, October 2nd, 2026 in front of our Jury.
- The winner of the main competition will be announced at Bolton Film Festival 2026 by the Jury on the same day.
- The winner of the First Time Filmmaker competition will be announced at Bolton Film Festival before the main competition winner is announced.
- The winner's name and project may be publicly announced and featured on Slick Film’s social media, website, and/or newsletter.
7. Disqualification:
- Slick Films reserves the right to disqualify any participant who violates these Terms and Conditions.
8. Amendments:
- Slick Films reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time. Any changes will be communicated to participants.
9. Contact:
- For any inquiries related to the fund, please contact fund@slickfilms.co.uk.
10. Confidentiality:
- Slick Films will treat all submitted scripts as confidential. However, Slick Films is not responsible for any unauthorised use or disclosure by third parties.
11. Withdrawal of Submission:
- Participants may withdraw their submission by contacting fund@slickfilms.co.uk before the submission deadline quoting their submission number.
12. Project Development:
- The funding award is intended for the production of the submitted script. Any changes to the script or significant deviations from the original proposal must be approved by Slick Films in writing.
13. Reporting Requirements:
- The winner agrees to provide regular updates on the progress of the film’s production to Slick Films.
14. Public Screening:
- Slick Films retains the right to exhibit the winning film at public or private screenings and events related to the fund.
15. Indemnification:
- Participants agree to indemnify and hold Slick Films and Bolton Film Festival harmless from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from the submission or production of their short film.
16. Sponsorship and Partnerships:
- Slick Films may engage in partnerships or secure sponsorships for the fund, and participants agree to comply with any additional terms and conditions imposed by sponsors.
17. Non-Exclusive Agreement:
- Winning the fund does not grant Slick Films exclusive rights to distribute or sell the finished short film. The filmmaker retains the right to explore additional distribution opportunities with the help of Slick Films.
18. Final Agreement Pending Mutual Approval:
- The final funding agreement between Slick Films and the winning filmmaker is contingent upon mutual agreement on key terms between the filmmaker and Slick Films.
By submitting a script, participants agree to abide by these Terms and Conditions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: Who decides the winners?
A: The Slick Films team and our Jury members are responsible for choosing the winning scripts.
Q: What if I can't make it to Bolton?
A: Nominees who are pitching will have their travel expenses covered (excluding any plus ones).
Q: Are the Nominees from the First-Timer competition expected to pitch?
A: No, only the nominees of the main competition will pitch their work at Bolton Film Festival.
Q: How long will the pitch be? I've never pitched in front of an audience before.
A: Nominees will be invited to a coaching session prior to their pitches and will be given all necessary guides and resources in order to prepare for the day.
Q: Are you looking for a specific genre? What stories are you after?
A: You can write about any subject and in any genre. It’s all about the quality of the writing and the underlying message.
Q: Can I submit a documentary? Animation?
A: We’re open to different formats (documentary, animation, or live-action) as long as it’s clearly specified in your submission.
Q: Can I direct my own submission if I win?
A: Yes
Q: Can I submit more than one script?
A: Yes, you are free to submit as many scripts as you like.
Q: Can I submit to other competitions?
A: Yes, you can enter as many competitions as you like.
Q: Can I enter if I don't live in the UK or EU?
A: Absolutely. However your submission must be in English.
Q: Can I enter an adaptation?
A: Yes, as long as you own the copyright or have clearance to use the adapted work.
Q: Who are the readers?
A: We've selected a group of readers from industry writers, directors, and producers whom we trust and have worked with in the past.
Q: What happens if my script is over the page limit?
A: We will still read and assess your work if you are 10% above the page limit, however we strongly encourage you to stay within the specified limit.
Q: Does my work need to be copyrighted before submission?
A: No, your script doesn't need to be copyrighted however you are free to do so on your own.
Q: Do I need a Director and Producer secured before submitting my work?
A: If you are a Producer, you will either need a Director or a Writer attached to your submission. If you are a Writer, Director, or both, you can submit independently.
For any further enquiries please send your questions to fund@slickfilms.co.uk
