Sky Documentaries is looking to fund several “artistically ambitious” short docs from emerging filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds.
In partnership with APX Content Ventures, the channel will provide up to £500,000 to fund several documentaries throughout the year, of between 10 and 30 minutes in length.
Sky said it wanted to invest in, and spotlight, new UK filmmaking talent and offer a stepping stone for emerging directors wanting to create long-form content.
The scheme is open to people who have faced barriers to opportunities due to physical and mental health or disability, and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic or traveller communities.
It said it welcomed entries from individuals with industry experience as a producer, assistant producer, development exec, editor or director, but who had not yet directed an hour-long doc for terrestrial or SVoD.
They will be partnered with an an experienced factual producer for mentoring and production support.
Sky’s brief encourages entrants to think broadly about their doc, suggesting it could be “an intimate biography, intriguing sporting history, a jaw-dropping crime mystery, a reflection on major global events that resonate universally or can be inspired by something altogether different and extraordinary”.
Commissioners will be looking for story-led ideas that are “specific, engaging and driven by a clear original vision”.
Sky director of documentaries and factual Poppy Dixon emphasised: “We want to meet talent we don’t yet know and hear creatively ambitious ideas.”
Applicants have until midnight on Sunday 17 July to submit a written treatment of their idea, with a CV and application form.
For full details of how to enter, click here
