DOC/FEST: An online community aiming to team broadcasters with makers of short films is being relaunched after attracting private investment.

The Smalls, from creative agency Devilfish, is using this week’s Sheffield Doc/Fest as the launchpad for a new website that provides a meeting space for creators of high-quality content and talent-spotters from broadcasters.

The site enables a free basic membership, through which filmmakers can create a professional profile and show off their skills, and a ‘pro’ membership that offers unlimited film storage and a chance to pitch for projects.

Jane Mote, non-executive director of The Smalls, told C21 the site was crucial to independent filmmakers in the UK, following the demise of Al Gore-backed Current TV, of which she was MD.

Mote said: “After the closure of Current, throughout Doc/Fest it’s been very apparent that people who had their first break on the channel now wonder where they can go and what they can do to get noticed.

“Increasing numbers of people are joining The Smalls because they get that credit and they get spotted. From there they are going onto festivals, winning awards and then building a reputation.

“There is some amazing stuff on the internet but broadcasters don’t really know where to find it and festivals are having to search all over for it. Having a destination that is specifically about short films, we can find opportunities so that people who submit films can find out about commercial brands looking for filmmakers and broadcasters that want to do new talent work in this area but don’t have the infrastructure to set something up.”