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What Is It?

APPLY NOW VIA FILMFREEWAY by 27th Feb 2026

Overview

Launching in 2026, this new annual fund will provide a £5,000 production budget for a live action short film, alongside hands-on Executive Producer support from experienced industry professionals who have had major success in the short film world, including a BAFTA and Oscar nomination.

Breakthrough Film Fund aims to support filmmakers at a key point of progression – from early practice towards sustained industry engagement. We welcome applications from aspiring filmmakers, those who already have shorts under their belts, recent graduates and creatives from adjacent disciplines.

More than a funding award, it is also an artist development initiative – with support that will help filmmakers develop their community and professional networks, creating the conditions for a meaningful breakthrough into the industry.

Terms and Conditions

1. Entrant Eligibility:

• The fund is open to Entrants based in the UK only.
• Entrants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of entry.
• Entrants must NOT be students enrolled in a full-time undergraduate degree but may be enrolled in a post-graduate level degree.
• Entrants may be an individual producer, screenwriter, director, or writer-director; or a combination of these.

2. Submission Guidelines:

• Screenplays must be original, unpublished works. They can be adaptations, provided that the Entrant owns the copyright or a licence to use the adapted work.
• Screenplays must be in English (but may feature dialogue in a different language as long as this is indicated translated to English) and intended to be filmed as live action films, not as animations or documentaries. They can be in any other genre.
• Screenplays must not exceed 10 pages (excluding the title page).
• Supporting materials are welcome (e.g. Director’s Treatments, Moodboards, etc.) but not compulsory. Upload these to the ‘File & Attachments’ area in your FilmFreeway project.
• There is no limit on the number of submissions per Entrant.
• Submissions are accepted via FilmFreeway only.

3. Viability & Feasibility Guidance:

• The film’s total budget, including post-production (but excluding marketing and distribution) must not exceed the award amount of £5,000 GBP. Entrants must consider the financial viability of their screenplay accordingly.
• Budget breakdowns are not required at this stage but are welcome if available and can be uploaded to the File & Attachments area in your FilmFreeway project.

4. Key Dates and Live Pitch:

• Final deadline for submission is Friday 27th February, 2026 at 23:59 GMT.
• Entrants may be invited to interview or supply additional information after submission deadline as part of the selection process.
• Nominees will be notified on 6th March 2026 via the e-mail provided in your FilmFreeway submission.
• If selected as a Nominee you must pitch your film in person at Manchester Film Festival Friday on 27th March 2026. Attendance is compulsory. Nominees who are pitching will have reasonable travel expenses covered from a UK location to pitch at the festival.
• All Nominees will be awarded a full delegate pass to the Manchester Film Festival.
• Nominees will be invited to attend an online coaching session to help prepare them for the live pitch.
• The Winner of the fund will be announced at Manchester Film Festival 2026 by the Jury on the same day.

5. Judging Criteria:

• Submissions will be judged based on three categories: story and concept strength, feasibility and viability, and breakthrough potential.
• The Judging Panel will be composed of members from Manchester Film Festival, the Breakthrough Film Fund founders, and other industry professionals.
• The Judging Panel’s decision is final.

6. Intellectual Property:

• By submitting a script, Entrants confirm that they are the sole author and copyright holder of the work.
• Entrants retain the intellectual property rights to their screenplay and the Film and are free to exploit its sale and distribution.
• However, the Fund may screen the Film publicly, and use the Winner’s name and likeness, for promotional purposes.

7. The £5,000 Award Funding:

• The Funding must be exclusively for the production of the Film.
• The Funding is non-transferable and non-negotiable.
• The winning screenplay must enter production within 12 months from notification of winning, after which Breakthrough Film Fund reserves the right to withdraw its funding if the script fails to enter production within the specified time and award the funds to another submission of their choosing.

8. Project Development:

• The funding award is intended for the production of the submitted screenplay.
• Any changes to the script or significant deviations from the original proposal must be approved by Breakthrough Film Fund in writing.
• The Fund will appoint Executive Producer(s) to the Film who will provide creative and logistical mentoring throughout the filmmaking process.

9. Disqualification:

• Breakthrough Film Fund reserves the right to disqualify any entrants who violates these Terms and Conditions.

10. Amendments:

• Breakthrough Film Fund reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time. Any changes will be communicated to Entrants.

11. Confidentiality:

• Breakthrough Film Fund will treat all submissions as confidential. However, Breakthrough Film Fund is not responsible for any unauthorised use or disclosure by third parties.

12. Withdrawal of Submission:

• Entrants may withdraw their submission by contacting applications@breakthroughfilmfund.co.uk before the submission deadline quoting their submission number.

13. Indemnification:

• Entrants agree to indemnify and hold Breakthrough Film Fund and Manchester Film Festival harmless from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from the submission or production of their short film.

14. Sponsorship and Partnerships:

• Breakthrough Film Fund may engage in partnerships or secure sponsorships for the fund, and Entrants agree to comply with any additional terms and conditions imposed by sponsors.

15. Final Agreement Pending Mutual Approval:

• The final funding agreement between Breakthrough Film Fund and the winning filmmaker is contingent upon mutual agreement on key terms between the filmmaker and Breakthrough Film Fund.

By submitting a script, entrants agree to abide by these Terms and Conditions.
For any further enquiries email applications@breakthroughfilmfund.co.uk