Grants for Interactive Media Projects

We thought we’d make Thursdays our regular slot for sharing links and information about funding, grants, sponsorship, revenue models etc.

I’ve been looking into UK development grants for large interactive projects based around narrative film. We were interested in seeing if there was any funding available for writing and detailed planning, which didn’t require presenting a ’script’ already completely written and planned.  In other words, support that would take us from a treatment/synopsis of the story with an outline of interactivity and technology, to a fully written & planned story world (scripts, bible, maps, timelines, production schedule etc).  Optimistic, I know – but worth a ring around.

So far I’ve spoken to the Film Council, Skillset, UK Media Team at Mediadesk, LDA Business link, Harrow in Business, Film London, The Script Factory, Arts Council, Screen South.  Bursaries that were/had been/were going to be available all required a completed script.   The LDA said they consider funding when there is a viable business plan in place, which in the case of script writing would require a buyer for the script ahead of it being written.

The UK Media Team seemed the most promising – every six months they have “calls for proposals” for interactive projects. (NB: the next deadline for interactive projects is on 27th November).  However, their applicant criteria is that your company must have produced at least one previous project which has been recently commercially distributed with demonstrated revenues.  Nothing for startups like us.

Although not for interactive projects, the UK Film Council have a First Feature Film fund, to write and develop a feature film…  They require a half A4 page summary of what happens in the film, a detailed outline (3-5 pages) of the dramatic action in your idea from the beginning to the end, the first 15 to 20 pages of your script based on your film (not required if you are including the full screenplay).

I’m hoping that this is just the start and not the whole picture.  We’ll continue our investigations and I’ll update you soon on what else I’ve found.  Any pointers on missing links most welcome