• Incubator application

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    CALLING STORYTELLERS, CREATORS, FILMMAKERS!

    Future of Film Incubator (FOF INC) is a unique opportunity to hone your storytelling talent and get your project made.

    Through support, mentorship and tution in cutting edge tech, new creative practice and commercial strategy, the programme will empower, guide and support you to develop your project from concept to a market-ready proposition - which you will then have the opportunity to pitch to a panel of leading industry executives, financiers and buyers.

    Through the programme you will benefit from intensive expert-led development sessions, 1-2-1 industry mentorship and access to some of the very latest technology and insights. The programme is open to all storytellers and we are particularly keen to encourage marginalised voices and stories that have not been told elsewhere.

    The objective is to get your project financed and made - and along the way give you first-hand experience in the future of screen storytelling.

    The deadline for applications to FOF INC 2022 was 01/05/22 - we are no longer accepting applications this year

    Click here to receive updates and announcements on future programmes

    How Does it work?

    FOF INC will take place between May and December 2022, both virtually and in person in London, including at our Studio Partner, Garden Studios.

    The programme is flexibly structured to enable participants to work around other commitments such as employment and caring responsibilities (e.g. evenings and weekends), although there will also be a limited number of weekday engagements.

    We anticipate accepting 20 projects (teams or individuals) into Phase One which will last approximately 6 weeks. At the end of this period, we will select 3 of the projects to continue into the later stages of the programme.

    These final projects will then proceed to the Market Pitch, where they will have the opportunity to pitch their project to select buyers, investors and platforms.

    The ultimate aim of the programme is for the final projects to be successfully financed and made. In this scenario, Future of Film will receive a development ‘Success Fee’ from the final financed budget.

    Who Can Apply?

    FOF INC is for storytellers. Perhaps you are a writer, a producer, creative technologist or a performer (or a combination of these).

    You may apply as an individual or a creative team.

    You will have had experience in your craft already - perhaps you have made a short film, written or published material or regularly created and published content. You may already be working in media but want to develop your own voice and career as a storyteller. Or you may have had success in another creative field and want to bring this into screen based storytelling.

    You may already have an audience that you want to bring with you on this new project.

    You will certainly be motivated and passionate about learning and maximising the opportunities FOF INC will provide. You may have faced barriers in the past and we want to help you to overcome these so that your voice can be heard.

    You may not yet be technologically savvy but you are certainly curious about this area. You are open to learning new ways of working - new technology, new processes, new ideas - and are committed to pursuing this across the programme and in your work.

    Above all, you have a burning desire to tell stories and a commitment to making this happen.

    We particularly want to encourage applicants from all backgrounds including age, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and people with disabilities.

    You will need to have access to London for a minimum of at least one day on a monthly basis. The first such meeting is scheduled for the afternoon and early evening of 23rd May 2022.

    If this sounds like you and, having read these guidelines, please complete and submit the application form here by 23:59 (GMT), Sunday 1st May 2022

    If you have any questions about applying to FOF INC please email applications@futureoffilm.live

    WHAT PROJECTS ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

    We are looking for new perspectives, fresh voices and original story ideas with compelling reason(s) for why they should be made. We are particularly keen to encourage marginalised voices and stories that have not been told elsewhere.

    We are searching for stories with potential to scale and commercial appeal. This commercial potential does not need to be ‘blockbuster’ or mainstream - but there should be a clear market opportunity, even if this opportunity is niche. We will be keen to know who you believe is the audience for your project.

    We are also interested in stories that have a wider story world and/or that have clear potential to unfold across different platforms.

    All genres are welcomed, including documentaries.

    Ultimately, all ideas - ‘big and small’ are welcomed as long as they are original, have a clear and compelling reason to exist and a defined audience. This specifically includes stories that many have not found a platform elsewhere, for example from marginalised voices and communities.

    FAQs

    We are looking for up to 20 creators or creator teams for Phase 1 and expect the competition for these places to be high. We may shortlist candidates for interview ahead of a final decision and aim to keep you informed across the process.

    Yes. Creators retain 100% of the rights of their story and project (IP).

    We actively encourage different formats! There are so many different ways to tell stories and are particularly excited about projects that can unfold across different media or screens e.g.

    • Animation
    • Games
    • Live Experience
    • Podcasts
    • XR
    • Interactive
    • Film
    • TV / Series

    It is important for us to make the programme as accessible and inclusive as possible to encourage and support individuals from all backgrounds. With the support of our partners, we have been able to make the programme available at no cost to participants. In the event that a project becomes fully financed from the programme, Future of Film will receive a Success Fee from the project budget (see below).

    Our aim is to bring your project to life and the Success Fee recognises our role in achieving this. When a project that completes the programme becomes fully financed, Future of FIlm is attributed a development fee in the final budget, payable on the first day of principal photography. The success fee only applies to projects that progress to the later phases of the programme (i.e. it does not apply to participants who only join Phase 1) and full details will be provided to the selected participants at this time.

    You will learn how to develop and pitch your concept so that it has maximum potential to succeed in the marketplace. Along the way you will be exposed to some of the most cutting edge and innovative practices and ideas that exist in media for example:

    • Distribution and marketing
    • Audience Building
    • Impact Releasing
    • NFTs
    • Brand building and funding
    • Audience Data and Sentiment Analysis
    • Virtual Production
    • Pre-Visualisation
    • World-building
    • International Market Dynamics
    • Pitching

    This is not a requirement and we are actively seeking to recruit projects from a diverse range or locations, but we will be meeting on at least a monthly basis in London. The first date is scheduled for PM 23rd May. These dates will be published as soon as confirmed so that you have time to plan and make arrangements.

    Generally, no - FOF INC provides the resources, people and opportunities to pursue your project rather than funds. However, for participants who proceed to the later stages, we are currently exploring options to provide a small amount of funding and equipment to help with the project development. If you feel this precludes you from participating or accessing the programme, please get in touch at applications@futureoffilom.live.