Ready to turn your radical film idea into a professionally commissioned reality?

Make it happen with the Roundhouse Film Fund.

The Roundhouse Film Fund commissions three micro-short films twice a year, providing the next generation of filmmakers with the funding, mentorship, and professional kit needed to launch a sustainable career. 

The fund aims to commission and support a creative and innovative artistic approach to presenting socially relevant films that are entertaining, enlivening and inspiring for audiences. We want to offer a platform for open minded discussion, radical thinking and balance wherever possible, building on the heritage of the Roundhouse as a platform for cultural revolution.

Roundhouse Film Fund is supported by Wiggin Charitable Foundation.

The programme has two phases:

• Phase 1: Production Firstly the fund is an opportunity for an early career filmmaker / director to cut their teeth and create a professionally commissioned film. Roundhouse supports the filmmakers through the development, prep and production stages with resources, mentoring and access to kit and studios.
• Phase 2 Distribution The second phase is to support the filmmaker and their producer (if they have one) to create a distribution and platforming strategy and their next career steps through mentoring, screening, contacts and platforming. 

What you’ll gain:

• Production Budget: £1,000 to spend on bringing your vision to life.
• World-Class Kit: Access industry-standard camera, sound, and lighting equipment valued up to £100,000. 
• Industry Mentorship: Partner with a professional mentor to guide you from script to screen.
• Professional Platform: Premiere your work at a public Roundhouse screening and online launch.
• The Wiggin Award: Eligibility for the £8,000 Wiggin Emerging Filmmaker Award to further your career. 
• Studio Access: Free 12-month Roundhouse Creative Studios Membership.

About you

To be successful you will need to have a strong film idea and the skills/experience you need to make it.

This fund is for UK-based directors aged 18–25 who have the skills to work independently. This is an independent study programme however you will be supported by an experienced professional writer/director who will advise and provide feedback from script to screen, and paired with an industry mentor who can share their experience and advice – chosen to support your specific needs and ambitions. 

We encourage application partnerships with producers but this isn’t necessary. Any partner producers must be aged 18-30. 

Film makers need to be based in the UK. We will accept applications from across the nation however the awards resources are all based in London, ie Roundhouse Studios and VMI kit house. This will involve some London based touch points as part of the production. And you will need to consider the practicalities of using a London based kit house. We will ask specific questions on this in the interview to ensure that we can give you the relevant support if you are not London based. 

We can only support shoots that take place in the UK. 

About your film 

Your film should be about social and/or political issues from your perspective. It should reflect the time we are living in now and identify the issue(s) which are most important to you.

We’re open to all genres of films – from narrative to animation, documentary to experimental – but the film must be under 5 minutes in duration.

How to apply

To apply please read our Ts and Cs document and our guide on how to write a film treatment and then fill out the online form by Monday 13 July, 10am. 

Unfortunately due to the number of applications we receive and our team’s capacity we will be unable to provide feedback to applicants at this stage. 

If you have any questions about the fund or the application process please do get in touch via media.projects@roundhouse.org.uk. 

Essential info:

• Application deadline: Monday 13 July, 10am 
• Interviews: 28 and 29 July 
• Decision announced 5 August 
• Production: 12 weeks starting 24 August
• Final film delivery 11 November 
• Film screening w/c 1 December 
• Price: Free 

I’M NOT SURE I CAN AFFORD TO TAKE PART…

If you need help to pay for things like project fees, transport or childcare, we can help. Find out how you can get support. If you are using a bursary to pay for the project, please ensure you arrange this with the Advice Base with plenty of time before the start of the project.

I HAVE ADDITIONAL NEEDS. WHAT SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE?

We are committed to supporting D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse young people, those with medical conditions, access requirements or any lived experience that may require adaptation, support or sensitivity. If there is anything you would like to let us (our youth workers, tutors or staff) know that will support your enjoyment and access, you can do so by emailing us at advicebase@roundhouse.org.uk, and we will contact you to discuss further how to best support your engagement.