Creative England Launches Two Funds For Regional Filmmaking Grants

LONDON – Creative England, the startup organization pitched to replace England’s regional screen agencies, took its first tentative steps into the hotbed of funding by filling two fresh cashpools for regional applicants.

The organization has set up a development fund and a film networks resource with lottery cash delegated by the British Film Institute to the tune of £400,000 ($625,450).

While the amount is small in the grand scheme of movie financing, it is often cited by filmmakers as being a vital component in the tapestry of funding often used in building low budget indie films.

During last night’s British Independent Film Awards, the filmmaking team behind Weekend picked up the evening’s best achievement in production plaudit.

The gay drama’s actor Tom Cullen also picked up the most promising newcomer nod.

When accepting the production nod, the team noted to the audience at the awards, which included BFI CEO Amanda Nevill among the who’s who of British indie filmmaking, just how important the regional agencies had been in getting the movie made.

Now Creative England will be taking up the funding reins where the regional agencies left off after being consolidated under government changes.

Creative England’s development fund is open to individual writers, writer/directors and/or producers based in the English regions for all types of feature films, including animation and documentary.

Cash is available for the costs of developing a screenplay (or the equivalent for documentaries) such as research costs, writer’s fees, script editor/developer support and script readings.

The fund totals £250,000 ($390,000) in its current round and applications are welcomed on a rolling basis. Awards will range from £2,500 ($3,910) to £25,000 ($39,000).

The £150,000 ($234,500) fueled film networks cashpool, is for networks and organizations whose work supports and promotes filmmaking activities in the English regions.