BFI Announces NET.WORK UK Funding

The BFI has announced the first phase of the BFI NET.WORK scheme to support UK filmmakers, writers, directors and producers.
The BFI made the announcement at the Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival in Bristol.
With an annual budget of more than £3m, an increase of £1.5m on funds previously available, the NET.WORK sees the BFI work with national partners Creative England, Creative Scotland, Film Agency for Wales and Northern Ireland Screen to establish a joined-up network of development teams across the UK.
These organisations will work to discover and develop the UK's filmmaking voices, enabling them to realise their potential and prepare them for their first feature film.
The BFI will roll out further NET.WORK partnerships and programmes in the coming months.
In acknowledgement of the large and diverse talent pool in London, the BFI will work with Film London to deliver two shorts schemes in the capital, one producing up to 18 films at a lower budget level and one at a higher budget level for emerging Black and Asian Minority Ethnic filmmakers that will produce up to five films per year.
In support of animators, the BFI will work with multi award-winning and internationally acclaimed animation studio, Aardman to deliver a specialised animation development programme.
The BFI will also work with 104 Films to offer training and development programmes for disabled filmmakers across the UK.
Ben Roberts, Director of the BFI Film Fund, said: "Many of us noted the sheer range and quality of UK films coming out of Toronto this year - and that there was no 'house style'. Our hope with the NET.WORK is that this family of organisations will pull together to unearth our standout filmmakers and help to develop them as distinctive, singular voices.
"This new approach dedicates more time, energy and resources to our next generation of feature filmmakers, and the NET.WORK itself will continue to grow as we announce more partnerships in the coming months, this is just the start."
"The NET.WORK brings together experts across the UK to offer talent development opportunities in a more joined up way than ever before," a statement from the BFI said.
"This new approach will culminate in a joint event from all NET.WORK partners, which will take place once a year. The NET.WORKER will be an annual event that brings together NET.WORK filmmakers from every part of the UK to share work, experience and information and help forge potential partnerships and collaboration."
www.bfi.org.uk/network
(IT/JP)