BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund Access SupportSupport options for deaf, disabled and neurodivergent filmmakers
Film Hub North and BFI offer a range of support options for deaf, disabled and neurodivergent filmmakers in the application process for the BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund. Here’s what is available for writers, directors and producers looking to submit.
Access Budget
If any members of your team, cast and/or crew have access needs that mean there will be additional costs during production, you can include these in your budget. They should be clearly listed in the Access Budget tab of the budget template.
We define access support needs as specific help required by people who are disabled or have a physical and/or mental health diagnosis, which will result in a verifiable additional cash cost to your production budget. This might include:
- A BSL interpreter to work with members of cast or crew;
- Additional transport or accommodation costs for disabled team members;
- Fee for the personal assistant of a team member who requires assistance during the production.
Note that if you’re asking for the maximum award amount (£25,000), you can still apply for access costs on top of this if you need to.
Video/Audio applications
We want you to be able to make the strongest application possible and in order for you to do that we allow applicants to submit audio or video responses to application questions. Video/audio applications are treated the exact same as written applications and will be considered equally.
Application completion support
We work with TAPE Community Music and Film to provide access support for people to make applications.
You can get help with:
- Accessing our fund guidelines in other formats, like large print or audio
- Understanding a fund’s guidelines
- Completing an application form
You can get support:
- Before applying
- While making an application
- After an application has been submitted, if we ask for more information or a meeting
You can contact TAPE by telephone on 01492 512 109 or use their contact form below.
Contact TAPE
Asking for support or sharing information about yourself will not negatively affect your application.
One to Ones
We’re offering one to ones with deaf, disabled and neurodivergent filmmakers and their collaborators to help navigate the application process, understand the available support and ask any questions you might have about the BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund.
One to Ones are 30 minutes each and available in two slots:
Thursday 11 April, 10:00-13:00
Book here
Monday 15 April, 9:30-12:30
Book here
If you have access requirements for the one to ones please let us know in the sign up form and at least a week prior to the one to one.
BFI NETWORK England short film funding supports filmmaking teams based in the North who are working on fiction shorts in live action, animation and immersive/virtual reality. Applications will close on Thursday 9 May 2024.
