FAQ

BFI Shorts 2012

This information is likely to be updated during the call for submissions.

Can I apply without a script?
No. Applications are project led and everyone must submit a script to be assessed.

Can I apply to make an animation or documentary?
The BFI Shorts 2012 scheme has been set up to support live-action fiction shorts so applications for films that are purely animation or documentary are not eligible. We will however consider projects that incorporate some elements of animation or documentary, but applicants will need to demonstrate how their inclusion enhances the proposed film.

I am a TV director who has directed a lot of reality television, do my broadcast credits satisfy the eligibility criteria?
No. Directors working in television must have credits in fictional, fact-based fiction or documentary production. Formatted genres such as reality television, games shows and chat shows are not eligible.

What are the minimum and maximum lengths of the script I can submit?
Scripts can be at any stage of development but must follow industry standard formatting and be between 10 and 30 pages long.

I have directed a feature film. Am I eligible to apply?
The scheme is primarily aimed at directors who have yet to make their first feature and has been established to help talented filmmakers make this transition. Directors who have made features are not eligible to apply. We will accept applications however from individuals who have directed one micro-budget feature that has achieved recognition in a film festival or on theatrical release.

I am an eligible director and can provide proof of my eligibility. Does the work I send in for assessment have to be the eligible films or can I send something else?
As long as you provide evidence that demonstrates your eligibility, you can send us whatever previous work you feel best demonstrates your abilities as a director and supports the specific project proposal you are submitting.

I am an eligible Writer, can I apply with more than one project?
No. For Writers and Directors we will only accept one project per applicant. If you are attached to a project with a team, you cannot also apply as an individual.

I am eligible and am submitting an application. If my project is not selected, can I be considered for other projects in the event that the short-listed projects have incomplete teams?
Yes. In the application form you are asked to indicate whether you would be willing to work on another project in the event that your application is not successful. As mentioned in the ‘Next steps’ section of the guidelines, Lighthouse will oversee and manage the process of bringing on suitable partners to any projects which are short-listed and do not have a complete writer, director, producer team already in place.

What is the industry standard format used for scripts?
There is lots of information available online regarding the industry standard format used for scripts. To find out more about the different types of script-formatting software available please see:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/send-a-script/formatting-your-script

I directed a number of plays during my time at university/drama school, to great acclaim, am I eligible to apply?
Unless you have a minimum of two directing credits gained on plays which have been achieved outside of an undergraduate degree or drama school, you are not eligible to apply.

I am a director who has made two shorts that meet the eligibility criteria set out in the guidelines. They were made whilst I was at film school – am I still eligible to apply?
Yes. Films made at film school or at post-graduate university level are accepted.

When you ask for online links to examples of my directing work, do you mean work that is publicly available through a website such as BBC Film Network?
Links to examples of your work online can be through publicly accessible websites (such as BBC Film Network, or other) or private, such as a password protected upload on a platform such as Vimeo (or similar). Please provide weblinks that you have available and are most comfortable providing us with access to.

The two examples of my previous directing work are not yet online. Can I send DVD copies instead?
Yes, we are happy to accept DVD copies, but they must be post-marked on or before the date of the application deadline. Please ensure they are clearly labelled with your full name, the title of the project you have applied with, and your phone contact details. If you are sending a DVD with a number of films, please make sure you specify which two you want us to watch.Please send the DVDs to:

BFI Shorts 2012
Lighthouse
28 Kensington Street
Brighton BN1 4AJ

My visual material is in post-production, can I send it later?
No, we cannot accept any part of your application or supporting materials after the application deadline has passed.

I am a director whose short film has screened at the Short Film Corner in Cannes. Does that count as an eligible festival screening?
No, having a film shown at the Short Film Corner in Cannes doesn’t count as an eligible festival screening as there is no selection process involved.

Can I, as a qualifying director, propose a project with a script written by a non-qualifying writer?
No. If you have a director/writer/producer attached, they must all satisfy the relevant eligibility criteria, regardless of whether they are the lead applicant or not.

We have letters of intent from post-production companies and cast – should we submit these with our application?
Please only submit the materials specified. If your project is short-listed, there’ll be a later opportunity to submit further supporting materials and information.

Do I have to apply with a registered production company attached to my project from the outset?
No, you don’t need to have a registered production company attached to your project at the point of application. Short-listed projects need to have a company attached in order to be awarded production finance by the BFI, but this comes further down the line and can be discussed and worked out at a later point.

What is a logline?
A logline is a one or two sentence description of the overall idea of your story.

I have registered and created an application online but want to preview all the questions in advance before completing this one page at a time. Is there a way to do this?
You can view the whole form by entering some text into the ‘required’ fields and uploading blank documents. You will then be able to proceed to the next page and move back and forth as you like. It is just the first two and the very last pages that contain required fields. As long as you don’t press ‘submit’ at the very end, we won’t receive any of the entered information and you will be able to change the other sections whenever you like.

I have written a feature which has not yet been optioned or produced. Does this count as an eligible credit for a writer?
Yes. Features which you have in development do not necessarily need to have been optioned or produced. You will need to submit the complete treatment/script as evidence of eligibility and this may also be used as a writing sample during the assessment process.

I have written a TV sitcom which has not yet been optioned or produced. Does this count as an eligible credit for a writer?
Yes, if it is over 20 minutes. Long-form fictional work needs to be a minimum length of 20 minutes to qualify, and does not need to have been optioned or produced. You will need to submit the complete script as evidence of eligibility and this may also be used as a writing sample during the assessment process.

Can I submit one application as a writer and another as a director?
No. Writers, writer/directors and directors can only be attached to one application each, regardless of the capacity in which they are applying.

I am a director, are links to IMDB sufficient evidence that I satisfy the eligibility criteria?
We are generally not accepting IMDB links – although they prove a film/credit exists, it is not proof that they meet the eligibility criteria. However, we will accept them in cases where they explicitly include a date of transmission or release date. If not, you will need to provide something additional which proves the work qualifies as set out in the guidelines.

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