Talent & Business
Opportunities
& Resources
We’ll post opportunities from across the industry, plus business resources from local and combined authorities here. This page is updated regularly, please check back.
Future Filmmaker Awards – Sony
Free to enter, the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards elevates original voices that bring a fresh perspective to storytelling. The shortlisted filmmakers are flown to Los Angeles for an exclusive four-day event to gain unparalleled insight into all aspects of the filmmaking process to advance their careers. After the workshop programme the filmmakers will attend an awards ceremony at the Sony Pictures Studios.
Aimed at breakthrough artists and independent filmmakers worldwide, there are four categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Animation and Student.
Closing Date: 12th December 2024
BBC Small Indie Fund – Open Now
The Small Indie Fund ring-fences £1million a year to back talented small independent production companies with turnovers of less than £10million, with a special focus on diverse-led companies and those based in the Nations and English regions.
The fund is available to companies working across factual, entertainment, comedy, children’s, drama, daytime and film. Support is granted on a company by company basis – based on the strength of creative potential and the ability to deliver to our strategy. Successful indies receive investment to help them develop and BBC mentors. This year we’re offering an increased level of financial investment targeted at a smaller number of companies, alongside both business and commissioning mentors to help them focus on growing their companies and maximising the value of their content.
Deadline: 31st December 2024
Get Better Business Skills – NBSL
Learn the art of business with inspired business skills sessions and tailored one to one mentoring support specifically for you and your business needs. This fully funded flexible programme covers Marketing, Business Planning, Sales & Service, Change & Process Management and ToNetZero.
Ongoing
If you are an emerging creative or, you are part of an indie that’s making an impact through identifying, nurturing and retaining talent from a range of backgrounds, we want to hear from you.
The awards are central to the TV Foundation’s goal of recognising and fostering talent and making the television industry more accessible to a wider range of people.
Submission deadline: 9th January 2025
Apply to Screen at SXSW London
An unparalleled platform for filmmakers to showcase their stories on a global stage. Whether you’re an emerging creator or an experienced director, this is your moment to present your work to industry leaders, critics, and film enthusiasts from around the world.
Submission deadline: 31st January 2025
New Writing North Screenwriting Weekender
Taking place early next year, this packed weekend of TV industry talks, workshops and networking is aimed at writers who want to improve their screenwriting skills, get industry know how and make new connections.
You’ll hear from leading screenwriters, production companies, agents and commissioners on a range of topics including writers rooms, getting an agent, writing a strong spec, structuring TV drama, writing for different genres and much, much more.
Tickets are available here
Making sustainable content is a shared goal for everyone, whether you’re working in film production, making news or writing the next BAFTA winner.
The albert Academy is your home for accurate, relevant and tailored training, providing courses for you whatever your level of experience, role or objective.
These interactive workshops and courses are created by experts with direct industry experience and backed by UK content makers and commissioners. There are also specialist courses available created in collaboration with leading industry bodies; ScreenSkills and the BFI.
New opportunities and commissioning briefs from the BBC.
As a Creator, My SMASH free tools help you create the professional film and television pitch presentation your idea deserves.
Our SMASH Pitch Protector ensures your IP is safeguarded, giving you peace of mind.
Once your Snapshot Pitch is ready, you can upload it to one of our active Call-Outs or share a QR code or link with commissioners and financiers, knowing your IP is secure with SMASH.
BBC Comedy Short Films are designed to give up and coming talent an opportunity to bring their comedy ideas to life. They’re a way for writers, directors and producers to develop and showcase exciting new worlds and memorable comedy characters.
We’re currently prioritising ideas that align close to our genre brief so we’re keen to hear comedy-first ideas that feature high gag rates and strong comic characters.
Sunderland Business Support Fund – NECA
NBSL, in partnership with Sunderland City Council, have launched the new Sunderland Business Support Fund (SBSF) thanks to funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
This Grant programme will help local growing businesses to access high quality external expertise to deliver business improvement projects.
SBSF will provide up to 40% funding for projects that cost between £3,000 and £6,000 (VAT costs cannot be funded).
The North East Combined Authority’s website showcasing their business support and funding. Includes toolkits for Starting Up, becoming Net Zero and lots of financial advice and funding opportunities.
Tees Valley Business Support – TVCA
Tees Valley Business Support website helps businesses based in Tees Valley access support, advice, programmes and contacts to help establish your business and make it thrive. Includes advice on finance and funding.
Resources for businesses based in the North East Combined Authority. Access useful downloads, guides, and other resources to help you with your net zero journey.
Resources for businesses based in the Tees Valley Combined Authority. Get fully funded consultancy support and up to £2,000 grant funding for your business, alongside easy access to online tools and regular webinars and workshops.
Intellectual Property Support – NECA
Book an IP Surgery to ascertain how IP applies to what you do; understand the different types of IP; take action to avoid future IP infringement and get started with using IP protection.
You will also learn how to search IP registers and look at the application process to obtain registered IP protection.