BFI Luminous Announces £50,000 Bursary

The British Film Institute (BFI) has announced that it will present a bursary of £50,000 to a first or second-time filmmaker at its Luminous fundraising event which is due to take place in October.

The winner of the award will be selected from a shortlist of films nominated for selection at the British Film Institute’s annual London Film Festival, with a panel comprising of IWC Schaffhausen CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr, BFI CEO Amanda Nevill and Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper (The King’s SpeechLes Misérables) making the final decision.

The award will be made available exclusively to UK-based screenwriters and / or directors premiering their first of second feature at the event, with the judging panel choosing from a 3-film shortlist selected by whom the BFI have described as “industry heavyweights”, including the Director of the BFI Film Fund Ben Roberts and the London Film Festival’s director Clare Stewart.

Tom Hooper said the following regarding the announcement:

“This Bursary provides up and coming filmmakers with an incredible and unique opportunity, and it is an honour to be part of the jury selecting the winner. Forging a career in this industry can be tough, and receiving a no strings attached investment gives a fledgling filmmaker the time and space to develop their voice and allow their creativity to truly flourish.”

This bursary is the latest attempt by the British Film Institute to bring an air of positivity to (and funding into) the art form in the UK following mass closures and funding withdrawals in the aftermath of the recession, and will look to highlight those names whom may otherwise go under the radar, inspiring the next generation of filmmakers as they do.

BFI Luminous will take place on the 3rd of October 2017 in association with IWC Schaffhausen, and will be presented by Jonathan Ross.

Source: BFI

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