Open Call for Curatorial Projects

Open Call for Curatorial Projects

The BFI’s Film Feels season returns this summer, celebrating films’ unique ability to transport us, to illuminate ideas, and to spark conversations. This time round the overall theme is ‘hopeful’, and we’re looking to support three film events that fit Film Feels’ subthemes (outlined below) as part of our All Summer Long season of events.

Film Feels: Hopeful - subthemes:

Hope

Stories imbued with hope for new beginnings, better tomorrows and the goodness of humanity

Dreams of the Future

From smart cities and clean energy to food equity and social justice - whether fiction or non-fiction, films can help us to reimagine the future.

New Ways

Who gets to make films and who gets to see them? Showcasing short film, accessible formats, artists film and debut features from exciting new talent and exploring new approaches to bringing original and previously unheard voices to our programmes.

Who is this open call for?

This project is open to anyone from a background that is underrepresented in the film and cultural sector (for example you are from a community that experiences racism, you are neurodiverse, you are from the LGBTQIA+ community, you did not go to University, you had free school meals as a child  or you are a disabled person). There is currently a lack of diversity within film exhibition, and we’re committed to change by taking steps towards a more inclusive, interesting, and representative cultural sector. 

All applicants must be based in the UK.

What are we looking for? 

We're looking to fund three projects over the next few months - they could be short film programmes, conversational events, audiovisual interventions, unseen docs, archive finds, online happenings, family screenings - whatever you like, surprise us. We would expect applicants to demonstrate some previous experience and/or knowledge of programming and curating, and all projects must fall into one of the Film Feels’ themes outlined above.  

What money is involved?

Three proposals will be taken forward to be presented later this year, with each project given a budget of £750 to cover curation time and any rights clearances. Technicals, venues, and marketing will be covered separately. 

How are the applications assessed?

The applications will be assessed by a small, diverse panel of industry professionals, and will factor in the ambition, originality, feasibility, relevance, and audience-appeal of the projects. The three that score highest within these categories will be taken forward. 

We will let all applicants know the outcome by Monday 14 June 2021.

Whilst we invite potential applicants to get in touch with us with any questions regarding their project proposal or the application process, we are unfortunately unable to offer feedback to unsuccessful applicants.