Open Horizons – North East Screen

WHAT IS OPEN HORIZONS?

Open Horizons is a flexible bursary fund created by North East Screen to support Writers, Directors, and Producers in the North East to take the next big step in their careers. The fund is designed to enable individuals to access bespoke opportunities that will significantly impact their career development.

This could be through training, coaching, consultancy, or attending key industry events, as long as you can demonstrate how this support will be a game changer for your career.

This year, we have a limited amount of grants to award, each between £300 and £3000 in total, depending on the activity. Funding is paid retrospectively on proof of expenditure and cannot be used for living costs or wages. The fund is not match-funded.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We want to hear from ambitious creatives who are ready to:

🔸 STEP UP – Are you looking to progress within your career or move to a new career stage?
🔸 STEP ACROSS – Are you transferring skills between departments, genres, or areas of the industry?
🔸 STEP OUT – Are you expanding your skills, breaking into new markets, or building new networks?

We are looking for applicants who can clearly show how this funding will unlock long-term career development.

Please read the full guidelines carefully to check eligibility criteria and examples of the types of activities we can fund.

Please note: Funding can only be used for future spend. Any activity or costs incurred before receiving an offer letter will not be eligible.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Before you apply, make sure you have:

▪️ A completed Application Form with a detailed proposal explaining how the funding will be game changing for your career.
▪️ A clear breakdown of costs showing how you will use the funding (on the application form).
▪️ Proof of North East residency (e.g. utility bill or official letter).
▪️ A completed SME Eligibility Form.
▪️ Any relevant supporting documents such as consultant details, training programme information, or quotes.
▪️ An up-to-date CV and/or showreel demonstrating your experience in the screen industry.

Please send all information to development@northeastscreen.org.