Call for Entries in The Whickers Film & TV Funding Award (£120,000)

The Whickers Film & TV Funding Award is a prestigious annual award given to a rising filmmaker from anywhere in the world who presents the most promising pitch for a director-led documentary that meets the specific criteria outlined below. This award is highly regarded in the documentary industry, with a main prize of £100,000 and a development award of £20,000 for the runner-up.

Criteria:

1. The filmmaker or filmmakers must be creating their first documentary film that is at least 50 minutes long, and they must hold the director or co-director credit.
2. Filmmakers from all around the world are welcome to apply, and we strongly encourage international participation.
3. Projects should be in the late development to early production stage at the time of application. This award does not provide funding for finishing touches.
4. The award money cannot be paid directly to an individual. Therefore, applicants must either demonstrate the viability of their company, have a fiscal sponsor, have a nominated production company that can create a dedicated project account, or be willing to set up a limited company and dedicated project account if shortlisted.
5. Applicants must submit up to six minutes of original taster footage along with their application.
6. The documentary must be accessible to an English-speaking audience, either in the English language or with English subtitles.
7. Applicants must have an executive producer on board at the time of application.
8. If shortlisted, applicants must be available to travel to the UK in June to pitch their project at Sheffield DocFest. Reasonable travel and accommodation expenses will be covered by The Whickers.
9. The budget for the documentary film should not exceed £400,000 at the time of application.
10. Applicants who have other funding sources totaling over £300,000 at the time of application are not eligible for this award.

Applications for 2024 are now open. Key dates for 2024 round:

• 2nd October 2023: Application open
• 31st January 2024 Deadline for applications
• Late April 2024: Shortlists announced
• June 2024: Finalists pitch at Sheffield DocFest
• June 2024: Winner of the Award announced

WHAT WE SEEK

DIRECTOR-LED NARRATIVE
A storyteller who excels in conducting interviews.
Displays a genuine passion for the subject while maintaining impartiality.
Exhibits a true sense of independence.
Personal but not biased.
Welcomes a touch of dry humor.
Absolutely no imitations of ‘Whicker’.
ENGAGEMENT
Exclusive access to captivating individuals in unique or hard-to-reach locations.
Allows the contributor’s story to unfold in their own words.
Demonstrates the ability to draw out the essence of the human spirit.
The author establishes a close connection with the subject without overshadowing them.
CURIOSITY
A spirit of curiosity that leaves viewers yearning for more.
Reveals something new and unexpected about the world.
Ignites a sense of wonder.
Understands how wit can shed light on the most challenging or nuanced real-life dramas.
ORIGINAL USE OF TECHNOLOGY
Inventive in storytelling techniques – pushing boundaries or reinventing traditional styles.
NOT PARTISAN
No advocacy, preconceived agendas, or political ideologies.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

To ensure a smooth application process, we suggest going through the complete set of application questions well before the deadline. This will allow you to prepare your answers according to the specified word limits and gather all the necessary links and information. You can also download a Word template of the application form by clicking the button link provided at the end of this section. If you have any further queries, feel free to email us at [email protected].

In the meantime, here’s an overview of the sections you can expect to answer questions on:

Section 1: Provide the title, logline, and up to 300 words explaining how your project meets the criteria.

Section 2: Share your personal and contact details, as well as your role in the project.

Section 3: Include a password-protected link to teaser footage, along with details about publicity and deadline agreements.

Section 4: Provide your treatment, which should include a synopsis of up to 2000 words, an estimated budget (in GBP) for various production and post-production elements of the film, information about existing funding or future funding plans, details of your production company or project account/fiscal sponsor, details of your executive producer, and confirmation that your project complies with our majority sponsor criteria (refer to section 4.8 in the Funding Award Terms and Conditions).

Section 5: Discuss your background in documentary making (if applicable), briefly explain how you acquired your filmmaking skills in 50 words, share what inspires you to make documentaries in another 50 words, explain how the funding will benefit your project in 50 words, and describe why the audience would truly love your film in 50 words. Additionally, confirm that you or a member of your team will be able to attend a live pitching event in the UK in June, ensure compliance with rules on transferring funds, and agree to our terms and conditions.

Remember, thorough preparation and attention to detail will greatly enhance your application. For details and to apply visit the official website