New deadline: 5pm, 15th October 2007
Mosaic Films, Channel 4 and the BFI have joined forces to launch Britain Recut, a groundbreaking nationwide competition for documentary filmmakers. The BFI has released over three hours of material from public information films of the 1940’s and 50’s, which can all be viewed online. Use the footage for inspiration and then tell us about your idea. Four filmmakers will get the chance to make their film and have it aired on Channel 4's 3 Minute Wonder strand.
What do you think is the state of Britain today? We're looking for ideas that make a comment about modern Britain, using archive footage. Think Adam Curtis or The Corporation; think witty, polemical, satirical.
Here's how it works:
- Logon to the Channel 4 eSEQ system;
- View the footage;
- Get inspired;
- Submit a completed application form to britainrecut@dfgdocs.com, with proposal and CV/ biog
(We're aware that we're not giving you much time to do this, so we're not worrying about a video treatment for the moment. If you're successful, you will have full support when it comes to scripting your film.)
We’re looking for ideas that are smart and edgy, and that really play with and extend the possibilities afforded by the material. Your film could be a political polemic, it could be a poetic meditation, or it could be a personal response to the events and people captured in the material. If you are successful, you will be able to add voiceover, sound from other sources, or music, plus you can shoot additional footage if you need to. Just make sure you include details of this in your proposal and in your script (read our Competition Guidelines for details).
We're especially looking for ideas that deal with very modern issues such as recycling, carbon emissions, health and immigration. Some questions to think about are:
- Will cuts in carbon emissions lead to wartime rationing?
- Have we forgotten the lessons about sustainability learnt by our wartime predecessors?
- How can our obsession with weight be viewed using early public information films?
- How has immigration since the second world war shaped our modern sense of Britishness?
You might think of an even more topical topic.
The four winning filmmakers will receive a director’s fee and full production support to make their films, including additional shooting if required and the services of a professional editor.
All entries must be received by 5pm on 15th October 2007
For an application pack, see www.mosaicfilms.com or Channel 4 at www.channel4.com/4talent/event.jsp?id=7701
Download:
Information Pack
Download:
Application Form