BFI DOC SOCIETY FUND EVENTS
Connect with the BFI Doc Society Fund Team
1.00pm - 5.00pm
Queens Film Theatre, Belfast
BFI Doc Society x Docs Ireland Emerging Talent Day
We’re teaming up with Docs Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen to present a special afternoon dedicated to storytellers based in Northern Ireland.
Free to attend, registration required
The Docs Ireland Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Day will open the doors to up-and-coming documentary talent from the UK & the island of Ireland in a friendly and inclusive environment. We aim to foster creativity and conversation, disseminate information and boost confidence for new storytellers to develop their creative non-fiction filmmaking practice.
The event will unpack funding opportunities, share experiences from seasoned producers, offer inspirational case studies of recent doc marvels and to meet funders and representatives from across the documentary field. Plus an opportunity to network and connect with new collaborators for your projects in a supportive space.
Sessions include:
Funding and support for new nonfiction voices
Navigating the leap from shorts to feature docs
The role of the indie doc producer
Creative documentary case study with TISH director Paul Sng
Networking Drinks supported by Red Wolf Films
To see the full schedule and session details and to register for this free event visit the Docs Ireland Industry Page
BFI Doc Society Filmmaker Drop-In Day @ Sheffield DocFest
10.00am - 6.00pm (Happy Hour 5.00pm-6.00pm)
Sidney & Matilda, Sheffield
Once again we’ll be hosting our open house BFI Doc Society Filmmaker Drop-In Day at Sheffield DocFest – a friendly, access for all opportunity for early career non-fiction storytellers to get together over a Yorkshire brew, get the latest industry insights and build their networks.
We’ll be running 1-2-1 filmmaker advice sessions through the day with the BFI Doc Society fund team, industry guest hosts including Screen Scotland, Kickstarter, Guardian Docs and experienced filmmakers including Paul Sng (director of TISH). We’ll be sharing news on the BFI Doc Society fund, and hearing from breakout directors on developing their debut feature docs. Local super producer Rebecca Mark-Lawson (Tyke Films) will be helping us to unpack and reframe The Role of the Indie Doc Producer followed by a chance for YOU to jump on the mic in our “Would Like to Meet” session (featuring brilliant emerging producers from the Future Producers School). Topped off by networking drinks and a chance to connect with new collaborators. Come along.
Open to all filmmakers and the doc curious. For updates on the full day’s schedule, keep an eye on the Sheffield DocFest listing here and on @TheDocSociety.
15:30 - 17:30 + Networking Drinks
Midlands Film Club at Flatpack Film Festival, Birmingham
Join Film Hub Midlands, BFI NETWORK and BFI Doc Society to hear about BFI NETWORK short film funding opportunities across fiction and documentary (using funds from the National Lottery) - and celebrate a selection of homegrown short films from some of the exciting emerging Midlands filmmakers supported through BFI NETWORK and BFI Doc Society.
Followed by networking drinks with talent execs and fellow filmmakers, this is a great chance to see work from the feature filmmakers of tomorrow and meet new film collaborators locally.
Event schedule:
3.30pm – Funding talk with Doc Society and BFI NETWORK in the Midlands at the Mockingbird
4.00pm – Screening of short films
5.30pm – Networking drinks at the Printmakers
Visit the Flatpack Website for more information
17:00 - 18:00
Film Hub North Roundtable
We'll be joining Film Hub North for their next Online Filmmaker Roundtable to help guide local filmmakers through funds available through BFI NETWORK including the Made of Truth: BFI Doc Society Short Film Fund. Also a great opportunity to connect with other filmmakers in a friendly, informal setting.
Sign up for the Film Hub North roundtable here
Wednesday 17 May
18:00 - 20:00
Filmmaker Mixer in Liverpool with Film Hub North
Liverpool FACT
We're joining Film Hub North for their filmmaker mixer event in Liverpool. These free and informal, conversational meetups are a great opportunity for creatives to connect with the growing community of local film and tv industry folk, share stories and meet future collaborators. Plus a chance to connect with local BFI NETWORK talent execs and BFI Doc Society representatives and to hear about funding.
Sign up for the Liverpool mixer here
14:00 - 15:30
Crafting Nonfiction Shorts
in partnership with Ffilm Cymru Wales, BFI NETWORK Wales & Wales Documentary Support Network Online Event with BSL interpretation and live captioning
We invite all new and emerging filmmakers and artists in or from Wales to join us for a special online session on the art of crafting boundary-breaking short documentaries. We’ll be looking at ways to develop cinematic and authentic non-fiction ideas and find your team. We will be sharing guidance on the Beacons Short Film Fund and Made of Truth: BFI Doc Society Fund (opening in May), as well as hearing from the Wales Documentary Support Network on resources and friends to connect with to help you on your way.
Walking us through their own creative journey, will be alumni filmmakers Frontier Town directors Tom & Theo Tennant and producer Alice Hughes (Made of Truth) and Forest Coal Pit director Sion Marshall-Waters and exec producer Alice Lusher (Beacons).
This event is free and open to anyone born or based in Wales who is developing creative doc work.
Register for Crafting Nonfiction Shorts here
5.30pm - 6.15pm
Film Hub South West Drop In - online
BFI Doc Society will be joining colleagues at Film Hub South West for a drop in for SW based filmmakers to find out about available funding and hear from BFI NETWORK alumni.
4.00pm - 5.30pm GMT
REAL Documentary Festival, Leicester - in person
In this session BFI Doc Society's Suzanne Alizart welcomes local storytellers to hear the latest news and guidance on National Lottery funding and support available for UK independent documentary features, and for short docs as part of BFI NETWORK. Joining in conversation to share their own journey and experiences of developing inspiring creative non-fiction work and sustaining careers in the field, will be a stellar line-up of fund alumni: producer Gannesh Rajah and filmmakers Jeanie Finlay and Paul Sng. .
6.00pm - 7.00pm GMT
BFI NETWORK Funding Webinar - online
We will be joining a funding webinar alongside BFI NETWORK regional Talent Executives and partners from Northern Ireland Screen, Short Circuit and Ffilm Cymru Wales. We’ll be discussing the funding available for all forms of short filmmaking across the UK and how to get support.
This event will have live automated captions and a BSL interpreter
2.45pm - 7.00pm
Join us in Norwich
BFI Doc Society will be joining the BFI NETWORK South East team for a short film screening and Q&A, followed by networking drinks, in partnership with Norfolk Screen and Norwich Film Festival. Roll up to watch BFI NETWORK South East funded short Left Over, followed by a Q&A with filmmaker David Drake about his experiences making the film (and working across documentary and fiction). We will be there to share news on the Made of Truth BFI Doc Society Short Film Fund (opening in May) which supports new and emerging non-fiction talent UK-wide (as part of BFI NETWORK) and look forward to meeting Norwich-based filmmakers and doc-curious creatives. Following the screening will be a chance to meet fellow filmmakers and share ideas and we will be there to chat with filmmakers alongside Talent Execs Tom and Nicole from BFI NETWORK South East. Taking place at Cinema City.
If you can’t find what you need, please contact us at hello@docsociety.org
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