TNB XPO is in its 4th Edition!

Created by The New Black Film Collective (TNBFC) with past support and involvement from Warner Bros. Discovery, Film London, BFI, ScreenSkills, Sony Pictures, NBCUniversal, Film Distributors Association, Film & TV Charity, and more, TNB XPO showcases Black excellence and encourages greater diversity within the UK screen industries and internationally.

We have an open submission for short films and projects in development looking for investment.

The Short Film programme is accepting films made by Black Filmmakers or with a majority Black HOD team with a max length of 20 mins. Films of all genres and from around the world will be accepted. Films will be screened daily through the XPO and selected films will be shortlisted for awards.

Pitch‘n’Mix
Films selected for screening will automatically be eligible for the Pitch‘n’Mix event, where selected filmmakers will get the opportunity to champion their work to an audience of commissioners and field questions about their films to a panel of industry professionals. Filmmakers must be able to appear in person during the XPO to participate in this event.

Lion’s Den
Black filmmakers will have the opportunity to pitch scripted film, TV and documentary projects in development to an audience and panel of investors looking to invest in the project, filmmaker or a company. Filmmakers must be able to appear in person during the XPO to participate in this event.

Awards & Prizes

Short Films Selected for screening will be eligible for awards announced at the end of TNB XPO.

Filmmakers selected for Pitch‘n’Mix will get the opportunity to champion their work to an audience of commissioners and field questions about their films to a panel of industry professionals.

Filmmakers selected for the Lion's Den strand will have the opportunity for work to be seen by investors, studios, broadcasters and streamers as well as the general public.

Rules & Terms

Selection criteria is based primarily on the overall originality and relevancy of the concept and is only open to Black Filmmakers (Majority Sub-Saharan African diaspora).

SHORT FILMS
- We are open to films of all genres and from around the world, with a 20 minutes maximum runtime.
- All submissions must have Descriptive Subtitles in English throughout. Audio description is encouraged but not required.
- Submissions dealing with sensitive themes and subjects must have a trigger warning note at the beginning.

LION's DEN
We're open to all types of pitches across any genre. Please note that film and TV entries compete against one another.

We recommend that submissions spotlight the elements that make your project distinct: why this concept, why these themes, why you are the perfect choice to make this project and what singular vision you can offer.

Guidelines:
- Must submit a full story synopsis and logline, at minimum. This can range from a page in length to a full treatment or pitch deck. We judge on the idea itself. The best format is usually comprised of a logline, a page-long summary, and any other comments on the originality of the premise or personal connection to the subject matter, if applicable. We encourage including a sizzle reel, proof of concept or trailer.

-Include a filmmaker CV and bio with each entry.

- Do not send full-length screenplays—pitches ONLY.

- Must be for a scripted film, TV series, short film or feature length/episodic documentary. No reality or game show ideas.