This annual award supports emerging filmmakers from around the world who present the most promising pitches for director-led documentaries.

With a main award of £100,000 and a development award of £20,000 for the runner-up, this program is one of the most significant opportunities for innovative documentary storytelling globally.

What We Look For

• Director-Led Story: Personal, fair-minded storytelling with strong interviewing skills. Wry humor is welcome, but impersonations are discouraged.
• Engagement: Unique access to characters in unusual or inaccessible locations, with contributors’ stories emerging authentically.
• Curiosity: Projects should uncover new, unexpected perspectives and spark wonder in viewers.
• Original Use of Technology: Innovative storytelling techniques and inventive use of new or traditional tools.
• Not Partisan: No campaigning, pre-set agendas, or political theories.

Eligibility and Requirements

• Open to first-time filmmakers working on a 50+ minute documentary where they own the director or co-director credit.
• Projects must be at the late development to early production stage and have a budget under £400,000.
• Applicants must provide proof of a company, fiscal sponsor, or project account to receive funds.
• Up to six minutes of original taster footage and an executive producer must be secured at the time of applying.
• Projects must be accessible to an English-speaking audience through language or subtitles.
• Applicants must be available to pitch in the UK in June (travel and accommodation covered).
• Projects with other funding exceeding £300,000 are not eligible.

Application Checklist

• Title and logline with a 300-word explanation of how the project meets the criteria.
• Personal and contact details, and the applicant’s role in the project.
• Password-protected link to teaser footage.
• A detailed treatment, 2,000-word synopsis, estimated budget, existing funding, and production company details.
• Background in documentary making and responses to specific questions about the project’s impact, audience appeal, and funding use.