The ‘Digital Shorts’ scheme is run annually and seeks innovative short film ideas from people based in the South West. The best ideas will go into production with budgets of up to £17,000. South West Screen are also looking for applications for Digital Nation, which is aimed at filmmakers who are ready to make the leap to more ambitious cinematic short films.

If you have a great idea you’d like to realise and you’re interested in exploring new approaches to digital format, you can apply now either as a team made up of a writer and director or as an individual writer, director or writer/director.

What type of short films will South West Screen support?

We want to support a mix of shorts (max 15 minutes duration for live action and documentary, and max five minutes duration for animation) from film-makers based in the South West. Budgets will range from £7,000 – £17,000 and any genre can be considered, although we are looking for ideas which are suitable for a range of distribution platforms.

Anyone interested in applying should visit South West Screen’s website www.swscreen.co.uk to read guidelines and apply online.

South West Screen’s Arilda Tymko said: ‘We are delighted to offer this opportunity again this year as it’s invaluable in developing creative talent in the region. One of last year’s films ‘A Short Collection of Hilary Flamingo’s Dream Vocations’ won the audience award at the Encounters Short Film Festival, so making a film under the scheme can be your calling card and the start of a successful career in film making.’

For more information on Digital Shorts and to apply online, visit www.swscreen.co.uk. The deadline for applications is 12 noon on Monday 10 November.