Forge: opportunity for short film Producers

Bradford 2025, in partnership with Screen Yorkshire and The Unit (an open-access production space in Keighley co-funded by Bradford Council and Channel 4), are seeking applications from Producers to produce 3 short films for delivery and exhibition in 2025. 

The Producer will oversee three projects selected upon completion of a development lab, that will then move into financed production with their company. The Producer will support projects and creative teams through production, taking responsibility with a view to premiere the works in 2025 as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. 

This is a paid role. The Producer will receive a fee of £10,000 to produce all three films. The fee is non-transferable, and the Producer must agree to take on all three projects. An additional budget of £20,000 per film will be allocated and managed by the Producer through their limited company.  

Collectively, the ideas and projects we support will celebrate, and be representative of, the diversity of Bradford and the people who live and work here – this includes the team making the project, the stories/ themes/ ideas being explored and the people it is being made for. 

We want to hear from Producers living or working in Bradford, with a demonstrable connection to the District.

We need to feel confident that the project will be delivered successfully and on time, so please make sure you tell us how your producing experience supports this.  

If you have already received support/ commission from Bradford 2025: 

• This call out is open to companies or individuals who already have a live project in development with Bradford 2025 but must be able to demonstrate ability to produce three short films within the timeline. 
• Individuals/companies who have received an Unlimited Micro Commission are eligible to apply 
• Previous Seed Commissions – if you applied for a seed commission in 2023 you can apply to this call out 

If you are not sure if you are eligible, please email [email protected] to check with us before you make an application.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Tuesday 30 April 2024.

Completed applications should be emailed to [email protected].

Please download the ‘How to apply’ document below which has all the information about how to tell us about your project. 

Please make sure you also complete our ‘About you’ form as part of your application. This is to help us understand the range of people our programmes are reaching and will not affect the selection process.

We’re looking for Producers who are: 

• Aged 18+  
• Available to sit on project selection panel w/c  15 July 2024
• Available to produce the films over Autumn 2024 – Spring 2025 
• Producer must have a limited company and be able to demonstrate that they have a slate of projects in development 
• Limited Company must be registered in Bradford District, or able to demonstrate a genuine connection to the District (living here, company based here, history of making and sharing work here, etc) 
• Must be able to demonstrate production of at least 2 funded short films or 1 short film with relevant producing experience at similar or larger budget level; films must be either narrative fiction or narrative documentary work.  

But we cannot support:

• Applications from limited companies outside the District unless the applying Producer is based in Bradford 

• Online Q&A: Tuesday 9 April 2024 
• Application deadline: 5pm Tuesday 30 April 2024 
• Date we’ll let you know if you’ve been successful by: Monday 20 May 2024
• Project start date: Saturday 1 June 2024  

If you need this information in another format or if you have access needs related to making an application, please get it touch with us straight away to discuss how we can support you.  Please email [email protected]

On Tuesday 9 April at 2.30pm we will be hosting an online question and answer session (Q&A) through Zoom – where you can find out a bit more and ask any questions you might have. 

There are a number of factors we will think about when assessing applications and when looking overall at the range of applications we will support. This includes:

• Quality: Does the application give confidence that the project will be high quality and ambitious?
• Inclusivity, access and representation: That the applicant actively considers and celebrates the rich diversity of our district and the communities, backgrounds and lived experiences here.  And that you have thought about accessibility for yourself, your team, participants and audiences with a range of needs as central to the work and not an ‘add on’.
• Environmental sustainability: That you’re thinking about environmental and sustainability standards and are making decisions accordingly. (We understand that this will be realistic and relative to the scale of the project, and that environmentally conscious decisions can be more expensive and therefore this will be reflected in your budget).
• Audience focused: That there is clear thought and understanding around who the work is for, how these people will experience the project and where there may be opportunities to deepen or extend this engagement.
• Relevance: An understanding of communities (of place and/or shared experience) in the district or Bradford 2025 themes

Applications from Producers will be considered by an industry panel. 

We want to see that you have thought carefully and with real care about how you will make the projects accessible and welcoming to people with a range of needs and from various backgrounds.  If you are selected we can support you with advice and guidance from an access specialist to think about what is relevant and proportionate to the projects and where Bradford 2025 might be able to help – but we need to know that you are thinking about this too.

In order to be eligible for this opportunity, you must be available for a project pitch session, w/c 15 July 2024.