The Film & TV Funding Award is awarded annually to an emerging filmmaker from anywhere in the world with the most promising pitch for a director-led documentary which fulfils the core criteria detailed below. With a main award worth £100,000 and a development award for the runner-up of £20,000, The Whickers Film & TV Funding Award is one of the most significant documentary awards in the world.
Benefits
- A main award worth £100,000 and a development award for the runner-up of £20,000 are available.
Requirements
- Open to filmmakers from anywhere in the world. They encourage international filmmakers to apply;
- Must be the filmmaker or filmmakers’ first 50+ minute documentary film where they own the director or co-director credit;
- Projects must be at the late development to early production stage at the time of applying – this is not a finishing fund;
- Award money cannot be paid to an individual. Therefore applicants must either: provide proof of company viability; have a fiscal sponsor on board; have a nominated production company on board to create a dedicated project account for their film; or confirm that they are willing to set up a limited company and dedicated project account if shortlisted;
- Up to six minutes of original taster footage is required at the time of applying;
- Must be accessible for an English-speaking audience – whether in the English language or subtitled in English;
- Applicants must have an executive producer on board at the time of applying;
- Should they be shortlisted, applicants must be available to travel to the UK in June to pitch their project at Sheffield DocFest (reasonable travel and accommodation covered by The Whickers);
- They ask that the budget for your 50+ minute documentary film does not exceed £400,000 at the time of application;
- Applicants who at the time of application have other funding sources over the value of £300,000 are not eligible.
Selection Process
Selection Criteria:
- Director-led Story
- Storyteller with demonstrably strong interviewing skills.
- Demonstrates a passion for the subject whilst retaining fair-mindedness.
- Demonstrates a real sense of independence.
- Personal but not partisan.
- Wry humor is welcome.
- Strictly no ‘Whicker impersonations’.
- Engagement
- Unique access to engaging characters in unusual or inaccessible locations.
- Allows contributor’s stories to emerge in their own words.
- Demonstrates a flair for coaxing the human spirit into revealing itself.
- The author demonstrates intimacy with but does not overshadow the subject.
- Curiosity
- Spirit of inquisitiveness that leaves viewers wanting more.
- Tells us about something new and unexpected about the world.
- Excites wonder.
- Understands how it can illuminate the toughest or most nuanced real-life drama.
- Original Use of Technology
- Playful with storytelling means – breaking new ground and/or using old ground to re-invent new style
- Not Partisan
- No campaigning, pre-set agendas or political theories.
Timeline:
- 2nd October 2023: Applications open
- 31st January 2024 (23:59 GMT): Deadline for applications
- Late April 2024: Shortlisted projects announced
- June 2024: Finalists pitch their projects at Sheffield DocFest
- June 2024: Winner of the Film & TV Funding Award announced at Sheffield DocFest Awards Ceremony
Method of Application
Click here to Apply
You can download a Word template of the application form to help you to prepare your answers in advance by clicking the button link at the end of this section; email info@whickerawards.com if you have further queries. In the meantime, you can expect to answer questions on the following:
Section 1: Title; logline; up to 300 words on how your project meets the criteria
Section 2: Personal and contact details; your role in the project
Section 3: Password protected link to teaser footage; publicity and deadline agreements
Section 4: Your treatment; up to 2000 word synopsis of your project; an estimated budget (in GBP) of various elements in production and post-production of the film; any existing funding or plans for future funding; details of your production company (or project account/fiscal sponsor); details of your executive producer; confirmation that your project complies with our majority sponsor criteria (see section 4.8 in the Funding Award Terms and Conditions)
Section 5: Your background in documentary making (if any); 50 words on how you learnt your filmmaking skills; 50 words on what inspires you to make documentaries; 50 words on how the funding will benefit your project; 50 words on why an audience would really love your film; confirm that you or a member of your team will be able to attend a live pitching event in the UK in June; your compliance with rules on transferring funds; your agreement with our terms and conditions.
For More Information,
Application Deadline: January 31, 2024.
