Film agency BFI and broadcaster Film4 have given the go-ahead to produce nine expensive short films as part of the Future Takes programme.
The British Film Institute (BFI) and Film4 have announced nine short films that will receive funding through their Future Takes programme, a high-budget short film initiative that supports and funds innovative and significant short film projects.
The programme, which aims to back emerging filmmakers and provide them with the opportunity to create high-quality short films with substantial funding and industry support, selected and funded these nine short films in its first iteration in 2023. The awards range between £60,000 to £90,000 each.
One of the selected films is "In Heat", written and directed by Rory Fleck Byrne, who is also known for his role in the BBC drama series "This Is Going To Hurt". The film, which stars Ben Whishaw, is set to premiere at the BFI London Film Festival 2024.
Another notable film is "Deliverance", directed by Bim Ajadi, who was part of the Bafta Breakthrough 2020 cohort. The short film, written by Angeli Macfarlane, explores parental love as a mother seeks a cure for her newly deaf child.
The projects will shoot between September 2023 and spring 2024. The Future Takes programme is piloting an access coordinator role on all projects, with the aim of ensuring the access needs of the entire cast and crew are fully captured and necessary adjustments can be made.
Other films selected for funding include "Homework", directed and written by Jamie Di Spirito and produced by Chloe Culpin and Katie Sinclair. The film premiered at Edinburgh 2024 and stars Aisling Loftus.
"Leaving Ikorodu In 1999" is directed and written by Rashida Seriki and produced by Tobi Kyeremateng. The film has been selected for Melbourne 2025.
The complete list of the other six films selected in 2023 has not been fully detailed in the available sources.
The Future Takes programme reflects a significant investment in short films reflecting a range of stories and high production values, emphasizing the importance of short-form cinema in the UK's film landscape. The second iteration of the programme has also been greenlit, with application windows for new films opening in late 2025.
The completed films will aim for selection on the international film festival circuit, with a focus on reaching UK audiences through a showcase at BFI Southbank and being available on Channel 4's streaming platform and BFI Player. The programme aims to establish upcoming talent within the UK and international industry, and to serve as a stepping stone for emerging filmmakers.
Movies-and-TV such as "In Heat", "Deliverance", and others selected by the Future Takes programme showcase a variety of innovative and significant short film projects within the entertainment industry. These high-quality productions aim for recognition on the international film festival circuit, offering a platform for emerging filmmakers in the UK to establish themselves in the local and international scene.
