Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth in the upcoming Supernova. Producer Emily Morgan of Quiddity Films is a past recipient of a Vision AwardThe BFI announces expanded support for new and emerging producers across the UK, to provide talent with the skills and stability to develop a dynamic slate of projects. BFI Vision Awards are relaunched, with up to £2.5m National Lottery funding over two years to support up to 20 UK-based producers who have made between one and three feature films. In tandem, BFI NETWORK INSIGHT is a new professional development programme for up to 12 new and emerging producers who are yet to make their first feature.
Ben Roberts, BFI’s Deputy Chief Executive, said:
“We are incredibly proud of the many successes of previous Vision Awards producers and the contribution they are making to a more diverse film culture. We’ve consulted widely on where the greatest value of the Vision Awards lies, and we are now launching two distinct, but complimentary programmes to support producers early in their careers. This means training and knowledge to build business skills, alongside the funding to help build their slates of brilliant UK filmmaking talent and projects across a variety of platforms.”
The two programmes aim to help producers build strong and viable UK film businesses, and address identified gaps in provision following a review of support for independent producers in the UK.
The fourth edition of the BFI Vision Awards sees a maximum of £50,000 per year available for successful applicants. The eligibility criteria has been adjusted to support producers who have produced at least one feature but no more than three, and welcomes applicants from television and emerging media backgrounds who have comparable credits. Building on this experience, Awardees will be able to capitalise on the funding to grow a slate of projects and broaden the range of their relationships to effectively move projects into production.
BFI NETWORK INSIGHT is seeking talent who have a strong track record of short form work, and aims to equip talented new producers with the confidence and ability to realise their creative and business ambitions. The practical, nine month programme will provide successful applicants with in-depth knowledge of navigating the life-cycle of a project from the pivotal position of the producer.
The comprehensive programme is driven by the needs of entry level producers, but also insights from the marketplace. Modules include project development and IP, managing creative relationships, business planning and sustainability, business affairs, packaging and financing, co-production, marketing and distribution, and culminates in a trip to Berlin’s European Film Market in February 2021.
The Co-Production module and the EFM activity are supported by BFI’s International Fund, as part of commitments outlined in BFI2022, to support UK film businesses pursue creative and commercial opportunities with the international industry with a focus on co-production. This year’s Vision Awardees will benefit from key elements of the INSIGHT programme, including both international focused modules.
Materials developed for the programme include a course pack, which will also be available online. This will provide free professional training resources for anyone seeking guidance and advise on becoming a successful producer.
Both programmes are seeking applicants from across the whole of the UK, with a view to backing a cohort of producers who are truly representative of the population, and awards seek to meet the BFI Inclusion Targets. As with all applications to the BFI Film Fund, for applicants who need assistance with completing the form due to access requirements, support for costs is available, see full details: bfi.org.uk/accesssupport.
The BFI’s first Vision Awards in 2008 supported 15 companies looking to scale up their business and establish their international reputation through making critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. With its Vision Awards for 2013-2015, the BFI widened the field by supporting 19 companies, including 12 emerging companies. The 2016-2018 Awards backed 22 production companies focusing on emerging producers, to support for their development activity and enable them to expand their relationships and the work they develop.
