Deadline: 15 September 2024
Bridging the Gap is one of the leading documentary new talent initiatives in the UK, offering development training, a cash budget, and one year of international festival distribution to emerging filmmakers based in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
At SDI they are passionate about independent documentary, discovering new voices and supporting them to create meaningful work and build sustainable careers in the industry. One of their flagship programmes, Bridging the Gap, is dedicated to new and emerging talent based in Scotland and Northern Ireland with an idea for a short documentary. The programme offers development training, a cash budget, and a year of distribution in international festivals.
Up to 12 ideas will be short-listed based on the proposal and supporting visual materials submitted. The projects will be developed and honed further through workshops run online by international filmmakers and leading industry professionals. The 12 filmmakers will then pitch to a panel of experts, who will commission up to 6 films. Screen Scotland will commission up to 5 Scottish projects, and Northern Ireland Screen will commission one project.
Funding Information
- A cash budget of £8,500 (plus in-kind production and distribution support) the selected filmmakers will receive further mentoring over six months to create vibrant and thought-provoking contemporary stories.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be Scotland or Northern Ireland-based. They are particularly interested in filmmakers from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.
- They accept animation and experimental projects. Hybrid projects combining documentary and fiction will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Applicants must have completed at least one film audiovisual work.
- Applicants must not be in full time education.
For more information, visit Scottish Documentary Institute.
