Sky Documentaries Launches Documentary Shorts Fund Partnership

Sky Documentaries has launched its first documentary shorts fund in partnership with APX Content Ventures (a centralized global practice within Publicis Media) to champion directors from underrepresented backgrounds.

The Sky Documentaries shorts initiative will provide up to £500,000 to fund several documentary shorts, with a runtime of 10-30 minutes. The initiative will support creative talent from underrepresented minorities who face barriers to opportunities due to physical and mental health or disability, and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic or traveller communities. This new program will invest in and spotlight a new wave of UK filmmaking talent, ensuring a clear and accessible pathway for emerging directors interested in creating distinctive and quality shorts, as a steppingstone to creating longer form content.

Entries should be artistically ambitious, whether an intimate biography, intriguing sporting history, a jaw-dropping crime mystery, a reflection on major global events that resonate universally or can be inspired by something altogether different and extraordinary. Commissioners will be looking for filmmakers who will craft shorts that prioritise the story, are specific, engaging and driven by a clear original vision.

APX Content Ventures have invested in the initiative, which includes covering the costs associated with production process for the successful candidates.

Poppy Dixon, Director of Documentaries and Factual commented: "Since the launch of Sky Documentaries, the award-winning channel has built a reputation for working with the best UK factual talent, to bring original and premium limited series and features to our discerning audience. As we build on this success, we are pleased to launch our first documentary shorts fund to support creative voices from underrepresented groups around the country. We want to meet talent we don't yet know and hear creatively ambitious ideas, so please get in touch!"

www.sky.com