Our Short Film Fund initiative supports the production of a short film screenplay (20 pages max) or the completion of a short film (under 20 minutes) with a grant of up to £7,000 (approx $9,500), in-kind post-production services, festival strategy, production insurance, tax credit support, and career advice. Filmmakers can apply without a producer – we can help you find one if your project is selected.

Our goal is to create a funding opportunity where story is king. There are no boxes to tick apart from writing a great story that is viable for production. We are not afraid of being the first entity to provide funding for your project and become the first stepping stone for you to be able to raise further financing, if required.

• How it works •

Unsolicited Scripts will review all the submissions and select 6 finalists based exclusively on their creative merit.

A jury composed of all the organisations involved in the initiative will assign the awards. They may decide to assign all the awards to a single project or split them among multiple projects.

At the finalist stage, apart from creative merit, we will also evaluate the project’s viability in terms of budget and timeline (a budget and a rough timeline will be requested for the finalists only; if no producer is attached, we will help the writer compile a suitable budget / timeline). We may also ask the director to complete a written assessment (if a director is attached to the project).

• Q&A sessions •

Join us for an online session to learn how to make a strong application and ask questions specific to your project or circumstances.

We reserve the right to exclude submissions not meeting the eligibility requirements outlined above and in the full rules linked below.

Please read the full rules here before submitting.

• Jury •

Unsolicited Scripts

Unsolicited Scripts is a script consultancy company running initiatives to help new writers connect with independent producers and providing educational content for the wider filmmaking community.

Our goal is creating opportunities where the story is king and previous track record doesn’t necessarily matter. In order to do so, we mainly engage with up-and-coming independent producers who are more likely to engage with unrepresented writers, but we also occasionally collaborate with bigger companies looking for a specific kind of content.

In terms of script development, we focus on delivering high-quality feedback notes provided by experienced freelance script readers who are actively working for reputable production companies, studios and film funding institutions. Our promise is for your script to receive the same quality of evaluation it would get if an agent had sent it to a company, but with the added benefit of receiving back honest and actionable notes to help you improve the next draft.

Libby Gervais (Casarotto & Ramsay Associates)

Libby works in the Film & TV department at the literary agency Casarotto Ramsay & Associates, representing writers, directors, producers and literary properties, and scouting new talent. Her experience includes agenting and development, previously interning with the development team at Red Planet Pictures (Our House, Sanditon) and working as a script consultant on shorts, including the BFI Flare–premiering Please Carry On.

She has spent the past two years as Industry Workshop Coordinator at The Developing Room, where she leads workshops and events supporting emerging screen creatives. Libby is also the co-founder of AXIS: The POC Scripted Network, a collective championing people of colour working in scripted development. AXIS has collaborated with and received sponsorship from ITV, Fifth Season and Channel 4.

Giulia Cavina (Colourist)

Giulia is a freelance Colourist and in-house Assistant Colourist at Goldcrest London with three years of experience across large-budget features, premium dramas, as well as a range of short-form content. She works alongside top creatives, developing a visual approach that blends technical precision with a rich, photographic sensibility. Her caring and adaptable nature helps her build lasting relationships with collaborators, while continuing to develop her voice as an emerging Colourist in the UK scene.

Instagram @giuliacavinacolour

Daniel Bodsworth (Post Sound)

Born and bred in the midlands, Daniel is a sound designer, editor, and re-recording mixer currently based in London. With over a decade of experience in audio post-production, his passion for crafting immersive soundscapes makes him a valuable asset to any production. Daniel has previously worked at some of the leading post houses in Soho, including Molinare, Lipsync and WB De Lane Lea where he honed his skills and collaborated a diverse range of films and television programmes in various capacities, from dialogue editing to ADR supervision, sound effect editing to re-recording mixing. His extensive background in the industry and dedication to his craft have established him as a trusted professional in the field.

Personal Website – Imdb

The Film Festival Doctor (Festival Strategist)

Dr. Rebekah Louisa Smith, The Film Festival Doctor, is a change agent. Her focus on film festivals and mental health is the first of its kind within the film industry. She creates new ways to approach festival strategies and redefine how to look after one’s mental health within the intense & rewarding world of the film festival circuit.

Rebekah and her hard-working team are committed to nurturing filmmakers in order to help them secure film festival screenings, win awards, and cultivate a positive recognition within the film industry. Currently, her company has won over 2,500 awards for their clients and four Oscar success stories. She has secured hundreds of festival screenings around the world for her clients and has supported over 850 international filmmakers, enlightening and inspiring their journey towards achieving their goals and following their filmmaking dreams.

The Film Festival Doctor

Tysers Live (Production Insurance)

Tysers Live is a global division of Tysers Insurance Brokers dedicated to servicing the needs of the global entertainment industry with offerings in Music, Theatre, Live Events, Media & Film and Advertising & Commercials combining under one brand.

We bring together some of the world’s most passionate, knowledgeable, and skilled risk and specialty insurance professionals to manage the many issues facing our clients today. We cover all areas of the sector, including media, film, television, music, and events as well as more specific media sectors including freelancers, post-production, VFX, SFX, outside broadcast, facilities and hire companies & we design insurance programmes that are responsive to the emerging and complex needs and requirements.

Our credits include: The Brutalist, Baby Reindeer, Sex Education, How to Have Sex

http://www.tysers.com/tyserslive

• Previous winners •

MONKEY, written and directed by Charlotte Alexander

The night after a historic vote, a young Portuguese man awakens to find a stranger in his bedroom, plunging him into a harrowing nightmare where he must fight to prove his innocence and defend his freedom.

The project was awarded a cash grant of £5,000, a camera & lighting kit rental package by Hi-Ten, and post-production sound services by Daniel Bodsworth.

*figures in USD($) are estimated based on the exchange rate on 20th January 2026. The exact amount may vary depending on the exchange rate applied by your card provider. You can check the latest mid-market rates for GBP/USD here.

• About our script readers •

We work exclusively with experienced freelance script readers who are also contracted by established production companies, film studios, and funding institutions to ensure each script is evaluated by the same readers who select projects and source new talent for the industry. Independently from their previous experience, we do a trial with each new reader we take on to ensure their notes meet our standards.

• Feedback addons •

You can optionally purchase two types of feedback on your submission:

Evaluation Summary (£10 / $13.50*): A one-paragraph comment highlighting our thoughts on your submission and what to focus on to improve the next draft, available for both screenplays and rough cuts. This summary is delivered when the finalists are announced.

Feedback Report (£50 / $67*): A report with at least one page of actionable notes highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the project to improve your script. You can read a sample report here.

* figures in USD($) are estimated based on the exchange rate on 20th January 2026. The exact amount may vary depending on the exchange rate applied by your card provider. You can check the latest mid-market rates for GBP/USD here.