Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who can apply?

We accept applications from early-career individuals or duos/teams. We envisage this could take the form of a writer and director pairing, or a sole writer-director. The project may or may not already have a producer attached.

There are three key eligibility criteria:

• At least one member of the core filmmaking team (writer, director or producer) identifies as Black British and at the intersection of disability/neurodivergence and/or an underrepresented gender/sexuality.
• At least one member of the core filmmaking team has a connection to the London Borough of Camden. We will also consider projects where the film has a substantial and meaningful connection to the borough.
• You have availability to go into production in early 2026 and will be able to complete post-production by the end of March 2026.

1. What projects are supported?

Your project must be an original narrative fiction short film of no more than 10 minutes in length.

1. What does the fund not support?

The open call does not support student projects, documentary films, podcasts, new media (AR, VR), episodic series, or commissioned films where the filmmaker is not the rights holder to the project, films that have already premiered or broadcast, or impact campaigns.

1. What stage of production does my film have to be in?

We are looking for projects that are already quite developed although we will offer a short period of development.

1. I am the writer and director. Can I also be the film producer?

Whilst a writer and director or a writer and producer can be one person, a producer and director cannot be the same person. You are not required to apply with a producer, or a cast or crew attached to your project at this stage. However, the overall readiness of a project will be considered.

1. How much funding is available?

The Open Frame Fund: Camden is not a financial grant offered to the applicant(s) but a tailored programme designed to cover standardised costs for the creation of a short film, including a set fee for the core filmmaking team, cast and crew salaries, the cost of services, hire, and publicity. A final bespoke budget will be created in collaboration with the selected applicant(s) based on the individual needs of the project. The overall budget is approximately £15,000. We will consider projects with additional funding from other sources, but Born By A River will act as the sole production company on the project.

1. What type of support is offered to selected filmmakers?

The selected filmmaker(s) will benefit from a tailored programme that embeds inclusive approaches to filmmaking in the areas of recruitment and access, working culture, and wellbeing in production. It is expected that these will lead to an improved working environment for all involved, with initiatives ranging from an adaptable working day, wellbeing facilitation, and the standardised use of access riders. Support also includes a short period of development, a programmed cast and crew pre-shoot workshop, and in-kind support from our project partners, including camera and lighting gear hire from <name>, complimentary DCP delivery by Cinebox, venue hire from New Diorama Theatre, and festival programming consultation.

1. What criteria is used to evaluate projects?

When evaluating production submissions for funding, reviewers will first consider the strength of the script, team, and supporting materials. The following criteria will inform how recommended projects are selected:

1. Intersectional Representation (30%): Does the project explore intersectional themes and represent diverse perspectives. Consider the characters, audience engagement, and support for underrepresented filmmakers.
2. Innovation in Storytelling (30%): Evaluate the project’s innovative approach to content creation for advancing justice. Assess its ability to creatively reshape narratives and challenge conventional perspectives.
3. Production Viability and Independence (40%): Assess the project’s independence in production and its feasibility. Are the filmmakers skilled and resourced enough to produce the proposed project?

9. Who selects which films receive funding?

Submissions will be reviewed and recommended by a dedicated team of Born By A River and non-Born By A River staff.

10. Why Camden?

As a Camden-based organisation, Born By A River has established Open Frame with the support of Camden Council’s Future Camden Fund, which exists to support small businesses to build a better future for Camden and its residents. As such, our primary eligibility requirements are for an early-career filmmaker to have a connection to the borough, which could mean:

• Residence (current or previous)
• Work (regular or irregular)
• Education
• Active involvement in local activities (such as attending workshops or studios at a creative organisation based in the borough, or voluntary work)

We are acutely aware of pressures associated with housing precarity and cost of living issues in London, and as such we accept applications from those who have previously lived within the borough, and who may have moved out for these reasons.

Whilst not the primary function of this fund, we are also open to projects from applicants without an existing relationship to the borough where they can demonstrate their proposal’s meaningful and substantive relevance to the local area, whether through content, location, or another form.

11. Can non-British citizens apply?

Applications are welcome from those without British or Irish citizenship, however you will need to be a UK resident and provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

12. How do you define Black British?

This fund is intended to support filmmakers of Black/Mixed heritages residing in the UK, generally understood as those of Sub-Saharan African or Afro-Caribbean descent. It is up to individuals to define their own identity and we take an open view on this.

13. What do you mean by disability/neurodivergence and underrepresented genders/sexualities?

The intersectional nature of race, gender, sexuality, and disability has often been obscured in the industry’s initiatives to improve diversity standards. This is why we have taken an intersectional approach in our programme. It is up to individuals to recognise their own experience of disability and neurodivergence, and hence their eligibility to this fund.

The fund is also open to Black British filmmakers from genders and/or sexualities underrepresented in film industry leadership roles (this includes cis women of colour and members of the QTIPOC community).

14. Am I an early-career filmmaker?

Early-career does not refer to your age. It is about where you are in the evolution of your practice. Successful applicants will be able to show a thoroughly researched sense of how the film will be made and may wish to demonstrable equivalent experience in another medium, such as theatre or music.

15. I don’t have a production company. Is the fund open to me?

The selected film will be produced through Born By A River as the sole production company.

16. Who will own the copyright and intellectual property of my project?

The copyright of your original ideas and materials remain yours until contracting, and our intention is to retain copyright with the selected filmmaker(s). In general an author will always retain copyright but will transfer IP to the production company.

There may be circumstances in which we ask for an assignment of copyright from the beginning (copyright reverts to you if the project doesn’t move forward) or we may map out a path for the assignment of copyright to us (or to a platform) at some point in the future, but this will be agreed in dialogue with the selected filmmaker(s).

17. What happens following the application submission?

Following the closure of the application window, submissions will be reviewed and you may receive an invitation to submit additional materials. Shortlisted applicant(s) will then be invited to an online shortlisting interview in the week commencing 15th December 2025 and the selected filmmaker / filmmaking team will be notified the following week.

18. Can I apply through an alternative format?

Yes, applications may be made in the form of a video submission. Please ensure you cover all of the questions required as detailed in the application guidance document. Submit the application to openframe@bornbyariver.com by the deadline, containing a link to your unlisted Google or Vimeo link and any password(s), ensuring permissions grant our reviewers access.

20. Will I be able to request feedback on my application if unsuccessful?

As we are a small team, we will not be able to offer individual feedback on any applications. We will only be offering feedback to applicants who have been invited to the shortlist stage.

21. If my question has not been addressed here, who can I speak to?

We regret that we are unable to meet individually with filmmakers about their submissions, however any queries related to the application process can be directed to openframe@bornbyariver.com. Please do not contact any team member directly about the status of your application.