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DIY Filmmaking Challenge: Documentary – People and Places

Exterior of modern building (Broadcasting Tower, Leeds) with text ‘Documentary’ above.

Submissions open: a no-budget filmmaking challenge for creatives aged 16-25

Key information

Submit your no-budget film

Max 3 mins

What’s involved

Win funding for your next film

Practise your skills & showcase your work

Submit a documentary short film for the chance to win funding and career development support. 


Our DIY Filmmaking Challenge is an opportunity for aspiring filmmakers aged 16-25 in the North of England to practise their filmmaking skills and create original short films in response to a theme.

For our latest challenge, we want filmmakers to create Documentary micro-shorts. Your film can explore any aspect of the theme of People and Places - from a fascinating family member to place that you love. We want to see your take on the Documentary genre.


What’s in it for you


Shortlisted films will be presented at a special showcase screening as part of Sheffield Doc/Fest. The screening will take place as part of the festival.

One winning filmmaker will receive £1,000 of funding and production support to make a micro-budget short in 2025.


What we’re looking for


Creatively, there are no rules to the DIY Filmmaking Challenge. We want to see bold, original responses to the theme that showcase who you are as a filmmaker.

Production value doesn’t matter. Ideas do. You can use whatever equipment you have access to. 

Practically, there’s only a few things to bear in mind:

  • Submitted films should be no longer than 3 minutes
  • Films must be created safely and legally, with all necessary copyright clearances in place. Films should be your own work.
  • Filmmakers should be aged 16-25
  • Filmmakers should be based in the North of England
  • Filmmakers should have written consent from any participant if their film portrays lived experience. Any sensitive and identifiable information should not be included and instead should be anonymised.


Get involved


The deadline for submissions is 17:00 on Sunday 1 June 2025.
You can submit your film via the online form below.

Submit your film



DIY Filmmaking Challenge: Documentary Filmmaking – People and Places is delivered by Film Hub North as part of BFI Film Academy.

BFI Film Academy offers opportunities for ambitious 16-25 year olds, anywhere in the UK, to get to know more about film and how to forge a career in the screen industries.