New Talent Network

We are committed to discovering and supporting the next generation of British filmmaking talent and will launch a number of initiatives aimed at supporting emerging filmmakers and ambitious producers from around the nations and regions of the UK.

To help ensure we reach talent right across the UK, we will agree a UK-wide talent development strategy in partnership with Creative Scotland, the Film Agency for Wales, Northern Ireland Screen, Creative England, Film London and other key organisations. Together we will establish a network of high-calibre creative teams across the UK.

In England, for example, we will partner with Creative England to deploy a number of experienced development executives who will be based at cultural hubs outside London and serve as the focal points for our emerging talent activity. We will strengthen the UK network by enhancing related schemes run by the National Screen Agencies and Film London, by connecting it with Creative Skillset’s work in this area and with the proposed Film Academy for young people.

Each executive will develop talent by:

• Scouting cultural hubs, artistic centres and content production companies for the best new writers, directors and artists
• Running short film programmes across a range of budgets and levels of experience
• Providing funding and mentoring for feature screenplay commissions
• Showcasing new work, hosting regular networking events where filmmakers can meet executives and other industry representatives, and masterclasses with filmmakers discussing their craft and inspirations.

The network will be complemented by a dedicated area on bfi.org.uk for the discovery, growth, promotion and funding of new writing and directing talent in the UK, through peer review and direct industry engagement.

We will develop programmes to address the challenge of nurturing storytelling and filmmaking skills in some of the more under-developed areas of UK filmmaking such as animation, family and comedy.

Applications will open in 2013.