Lewisham Film Initiative operates several funds throughout the year.
The Southern Exposure Film Fund
The Southern Exposure Film Fund is match funded by Film London and is open to filmmakers living within the boroughs of Lewisham, Lambeth and Southwark.
Grants of up to £2000 per project are awarded to outstanding filmmakers from the three boroughs. Between 6-9 projects are commissioned and will be offered tailormade support in the key areas of development, production, post production and marketing/distribution.
Previous films have gone on to win completion funding from the UKFC and be screened at Cannes, Edinburgh, London and Palm Springs Film Festivals. In 2008 The Beachcombers won the £2000 Audience Award at the Best of Borough Awards held at Bafta every July. Driver by Stephen Fingleton screened at LFF this year, whilst Charlie Graley's Crazy Hands premiered at Raindance.
Check out basic eligibility guidelines. The deadline for 2009 has now passed but sign up for the newsletter to receive more information throughout the year.
Black History Month Short Film Challenge in association with The Albany
Now in its fourth year, the LFI is proud to watch this short film competition go from strength to strength. Two short films inspired by Black history - one fiction, one documentary – are commissioned and given £300 each towards costs. The Albany in Deptford provides the professional services of an Executive Producer, editor and edit suite and the films are screened along with a Q&A in October.
A Filmmakers' Forum, held on the same day, invites local filmmaking talent to ask questions about their professional development from a panel of experts including Cynthia de Souza of the UKFC Development Fund and Fiesta Productions (producers of Life 'n' Lyrics).
This year’s competition launches a newly revitalized film programme at the Albany where screenings will take place in association with Urban Screen and the BFM Film Festival.
One Off Fund
There are occasional opportunities for small amounts of funding to exceptional local projects with global ambitions. Have you considered a co-production with another country or region in Britain? Is the subject of your documentary on the other side of the world? Would you like to run a Lewisham-based film festival showcasing foreign works?
Through our partnerships with international film festivals, the British Council, and Channel 4’s Britdoc, we aim to support filmmakers with a truly international outlook.
Please get in touch at any time throughout the year to discuss opportunities. Your project must be in the advanced stages of development and you must be able to demonstrate the relevance of your project to the LFI's strategic aims.
Capital Fund
In Spring 2009, the LFI launched a small match fund to enable non-traditional venues in under-represented areas of the borough to become film clubs. Successful candidates will receive customized technical equipment through our partners DCLX and marketing/programming support from the LFI.
Crazy Hands (2009), produced for Southern Exposure.
One English Winter, produced for Black History Month Short Film Challenge (2008).