Our Short Film Fund initiative supports the production of a short film screenplay (20 pages max) or the completion of a short film (under 20 minutes) with a grant of up to £5,000 (approx $6,300), a kit rental package, and in-kind post-production services. Filmmakers can apply without a producer – we can help you find one if your project is selected. Submissions are accepted worldwide.

Our goal is to create a funding opportunity where story is king. There are no boxes to tick apart from writing a great story that is viable for production. We are not afraid of being the first entity to provide funding for your project and become the first stepping stone for you to be able to raise further financing, if required.

HOW IT WORKS

Unsolicited Scripts will review all the submissions and select 6 finalists based exclusively on their creative merit.

A jury composed of all the organisations involved in the initiative will assign the awards. They may decide to assign all the awards to a single project or split them among multiple projects, depending on what makes the most sense (certain projects may not need the full package offered).

At the finalist stage, apart from creative merit, we will also evaluate the project’s viability in terms of budget and timeline (a budget and a rough timeline will be requested for the finalists only; if no producer is attached, we will help the writer compile a suitable budget/timeline).

TIMELINE
Submissions open: 26th February 2024
Earlybird deadline: 15th March 2024
Regular deadline: 15th May 2024
Final deadline: 15th June 2024
Longlist announced: 15th July 2024
Finalists announced: 31st July 2024
Winner(s) announced: 14th Aug 2024

ANY QUESTIONS?
You can read more at https://unsolicitedscripts.com/sff24/
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out at support@unsolicitedscripts.com

WHAT THE WINNER(S) GET

- A cash grant of up to £5,000 (approx. $6,300*)
- Script editing services to further develop the script, if required
- A camera and lighting kit rental package offered by Hi-Ten Rentals, who may also provide crew for the camera and electrical department.**
- Colour grading services by colourist Giulia Cavina at Goldcrest.
- Sound post services by Daniel Bodsworth.
- If the winning project is submitted by a writer based in the UK, Unsolicited Scripts can help find a producer, director, and crew.

*the grant amount in USD is estimated, the exact amount may vary depending on the exchange rate on the day the grant will be delivered.
** available only for productions filming near London (UK). The minimum rental package value is £3,000, crew and kit availability may vary depending on the shooting date.

ABOUT GIULIA CAVINA - COLOURIST
First-class Honours Ravensbourne graduate in Editing and Post-Production and established in-house Digital Intermediate Assistant Colourist at Goldcrest (Soho, London) - Giulia moved from the calm Italian countryside to the buzzing British capital to work alongside the strongest roster of creatives in Europe and became an emerging talent within the world of Colour Grading. As a highly focused professional, she brings a fresh yet rich photographic sensibility and tangible textures to every project she collaborates on, by merging technical and artistic expertise. Giulia works consistently to elevate and hone her craft as a Junior Colourist in the Industry by working on both long and short-form content, favouring narrative. Her caring and adaptable nature allows her to deeply connect with people and create long-standing relationships with clients and collaborators.
Portfolio on Instagram @giuliacavinacolour

ABOUT DANIEL BODSWORTH - POST SOUND
Born and bred in the midlands, Daniel is a sound designer, editor, and re-recording mixer currently based in London. With over a decade of experience in audio post-production, his passion for crafting immersive soundscapes makes him a valuable asset to any production. Daniel has previously worked at some of the leading post houses in Soho, including Molinare, Lipsync and WB De Lane Lea where he honed his skills and collaborated a diverse range of films and television programmes in various capacities, from dialogue editing to ADR supervision, sound effect editing to re-recording mixing. His extensive background in the industry and dedication to his craft have established him as a trusted professional in the field.
Website: https://dbodsworth.wixsite.com/danielbodsworth
Imdb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6083560/

ELIGIBILITY
- We accept submissions worldwide.
- We accept narrative short films of any genre, in live-action and animation. We do not accept music videos, documentaries, video art, interactive or virtual reality projects.
- We also accept projects that have already completed principal photography, as long as post-production hasn’t been completed.
- Scripts should be no longer than 20 pages. Rough cuts should be no longer than 20 minutes.
- The completed film should be in English or include English subtitles.
- All materials submitted to the fund must be in English.
- Screenplays should be professionally formatted.

PLEASE READ THE FULL RULES BEFORE SUBMITTING AT:
https://unsolicitedscripts.com/wp-content/uploads/Unsolicited-Scripts-Short-Film-Grant-Rules-2022-2.pdf