Sky Documentaries unveils doc shorts fund for underrepresented filmmakers

European pay TV operator Sky Documentaries has announced its first documentary shorts fund to champion directors from underrepresented backgrounds.

Poppy Dixon

Launched in partnership with APX Content Ventures, the scheme will fund filmmakers up to £500,000 (US$629,000) to produce several documentary shorts, with runtimes of 10 to 30 minutes.

The initiative will support creative talent from underrepresented minorities who face barriers due to physical and mental disabilities, and also those from black, Asian and minority ethnic or traveller communities.

Poppy Dixon, director of documentaries and factual at Sky, said: “Since the launch of Sky Documentaries, the award-winning channel has built a reputation for working with the best UK factual talent, to bring original and premium limited series and features to our discerning audience. As we build on this success, we are pleased to launch our first documentary shorts fund to support creative voices from underrepresented groups around the country. We want to meet talent we don’t yet know and hear creatively ambitious ideas, so please get in touch!”

To apply, applicants should visit docshorts.sky.com and fill in the application form, attach a CV and a written treatment of their idea with a creative outline no longer than two pages. Tape does not have to be submitted but will be considered if attached.

Applicants must be a UK resident to apply and only one application per person will be accepted. Entries for the initial round of funding will be open from today until midnight on Sunday July 17.