The Studio launch film completion fund

The Studio, the dedicated film channel operated by Universal Studios Networks and the First Film Foundation, have announced the launch of The Studio Film Completion Fund (TSFCF).
The Studio Film Completion Fund has been set up to provide up and coming British filmmakers with a valuable opportunity to develop their careers by awarding monies, from a total fund of £75,000, with which to complete their short films.
The fund has the backing of successful filmmakers Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title, who have agreed to act as patrons and judges for the project, and Empire Magazine, who will act as media partners.
Running for a minimum of three years on a rolling basis, the completion fund will finance between four and 10 films a year, with awards anticipated to be up to a maximum of £15,000 per film.
All completed shorts will be showcased on The Studio in the UK, across Europe on other USN television channels and to industry audiences in both the UK and US. Every year a minimum of one of these completed shorts will be released theatrically across the UK in UCI cinemas with a suitable feature film. In addition, and unique to this fund, one overall winner will also win a place on Universal Studios’ Filmmaster's Scheme.
Following an intense period of grass roots marketing, the first short has been selected for completion by a judging panel. To officially mark the launch of The Studio Film Completion Fund, 'Danny and His Amazing Teeth', directed by Rachel Mathews, will be theatrically released nationwide exclusively in UCI cinemas with Working Title’s 'About A Boy' from April 26 2002.
(GB)