BFI and Film4 reconfirm partnership to relaunch high-budget shorts fund, Future Takes

BFI and Film4 are partnering again to run a second round of Future Takes, the successful high-budget shorts fund. Supporting early career filmmakers across the UK who are ready to take the next step in their careers, Future Takes invites applications for innovative scripted or hybrid documentary live-action short form work.

Opening for applications on Monday 8 September and closing at 5pm on Monday 20 October, the fund will award between £60,000 and £90,000 each to up to six projects.

Made possible thanks to BFI National Lottery funding and Film4, Future Takes aims to address the growing gap in the support available to filmmakers who may have started their directing, writing and producing careers, but are missing the piece of work that allows them to command greater industry recognition. The fund seeks to back projects which demonstrate a clear career progression, with a more ambitious scale and/or production requirements, to give filmmaking teams the opportunity to gain vital skills and experience to help build and maintain sustainable careers.

Launched in 2022, the inaugural Future Takes pilot supported nine projects, with Homework, written/directed by Jamie Di Spirito and starring Aisling Loftus, In Heat, written/directed by Rory Fleck Byrne and starring Ben Whishaw, and Leaving Ikorodu in 1999, written/directed by Rashida Seriki and starring Motunrayo Abiola Olaka, completed and enjoying success on the international festival circuit. A number of teams funded through the first round are now also in active development on their debut features thanks to work they have produced through the Fund.

Alice Cabañas, Head of BFI NETWORK, said: “We’re delighted to reconfirm this partnership with Film4. The first round of Future Takes has been hugely positive in building skills, capabilities, confidence and understanding of the industry, amongst its participating filmmakers, with some having already moved into active development on their debut feature. We hope that the next cohort will gain a similar level of success and for the Fund to create a new wave of gifted storytellers.” 

Farhana Bhula, Interim Director of Film4 says: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the BFI once more to build on the momentum of Future Takes. When we first launched the fund, we were impressed by the volume of quality applications and our teams met many inspiring writers, directors, and producers from across the UK. As the alumni from the first edition prepare to launch their films at festivals or embark on long-form work, we can’t wait to discover a new generation of filmmaking talent.”

The fund will be delivered by the BFI and Film4, with input from BFI NETWORK’s early career programme including regionally based executives. The fund will offer a skills and development programme with structured guidance for the selected filmmakers, offering a range of expertise across the process.