Less than 25 words

Thanks to Lianne's blog I note that the UK Film Council has announced details about its new round of the 25 Words or Less scheme.

The next round of 25 Words or Less brings a new approach to the initiative, in partnership with 3 of the UK's low budget production financiers: Warp X, Vertigo Films and Slingshot Studios. The production partners and the UK Film Council’s Development Fund will jointly select three writers to develop a first draft script inspired by each of the production partner's chosen genre. Involvement of these partners will provide access to their expertise and experience of developing for low budget features, in an environment where a primary focus is moving rapidly to production.

Funding of £10,000 will be awarded by the UK Film Council to each successful writer. The Development Fund will assign a script editor to each project -- the cost of which will be attributable to the project but met by the UK Film Council.

The three studios and matching genres are: Warp X: "Lo-Fi, Sci-Fi."; Vertigo Films: "A comedy involving a case of mistaken identity"; Slingshot Studios: "Teen Hitchcock".

All EU citizens are eligible, but only people with literary agents, or full members of the Writer's Guild of Great Britain, can apply. Otherwise, the application mostly consists of a pitch line of under 25 words, a one-page outline, 10 pages of sample scenes, and pertinent application details. Applications need to arrive at the UK Film Council's offices by Friday 13th July 2007, an auspicious date.