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This practical talent development pilot programme is designed to support the next generation of Welsh filmmaking talent. The programme will bring together a small team of emerging filmmakers to develop and produce an original short film in Wales with a production budget of £18,000.
Led by an industry expert, the programme will combine practical training, professional mentoring and hands-on production experience. Working collaboratively as a small crew, participants will take a film project from script to screen, gaining valuable insight into the creative and technical processes involved in professional filmmaking.
The programme will support one emerging filmmaking team:
- Writer
- Director (or a writer/director)
- Producer
- Cinematographer
- Editor
We welcome individual applicants, and the NFTS team will match you with others to form a group.
Participants will receive dedicated tutor support and the opportunity to create a professionally supported short film. The completed film will offer participants a platform to showcase their work through wider film festivals.
The pilot aims to nurture emerging talent, strengthen connections across the Welsh screen industry and create opportunities for filmmakers to build their skills, experience and professional networks.
Key dates:
Sun 22 Nov (midnight): Applications close
11 Jan - 4 Feb: Training, mentoring, preparation for filming
8 - 12 Feb: Filming
15 Feb - 5 Mar: Editing
This course is fully funded by Creative Wales, and there is no cost to successful applicants. Please note any travel and accommodation required to attend is not included.
Throughout the programme, participants will develop their filmmaking skills through a combination of structured training, mentoring and practical production experience.
Working as a collaborative crew, participants will explore the key stages of short film production, including:
Script development: Developing and refining an original screenplay for production.
Creative development: Shaping the film’s creative vision and establishing a clear approach to storytelling.
Pre-production: Planning the production, preparing for filming and coordinating the practical requirements of the project.
Filming and production: Gaining hands-on experience of bringing a script to life on set.
Post-production: Exploring the editing process and working towards a finished short film.
Professional development: Building industry knowledge, developing collaborative working skills and establishing valuable professional connections.
The programme will culminate in a completed short film, providing participants with a tangible piece of work to showcase their talent and support their future development within the screen industry.
The programme is aimed at emerging filmmakers who are looking to develop their skills, gain practical production experience and take the next step in their screen industry careers.
You must meet the criteria below:
- You must be based in Wales (with 3 years residency)
- You must be a UK national
- Be at least twenty years of age, as of December 2026
- Be available to take part in the programme between Jan and March 2027 (see key dates on course outline)
- We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups.
You are NOT eligible to apply if you have done any of the following:
- Written or directed a theatrically-distributed, scripted, non-documentary feature film or short film; or
- Written or directed one or more scripted, non-documentary episodes of television, or premium streaming series which has aired or otherwise made commercially available for general public viewing (other than on a “free” platform such as Instagram or YouTube)
We are looking for either a writer/director or writer and director team. We will not accept a director applying without a writer who cannot themselves write, or a writer who is applying without a director who does not wish to direct their own work. If you are applying with a writer or director partner, please submit individual applications making sure you indicate your partner when requested. In the case of joint applications, both “partners” will need to meet the eligibility criteria.
Beyond possible writer and director teams, everyone else accepted onto the course will join as an individual and should be willing to work collaboratively with other members of the course to undertake project work.
As part of the application process, the writer and/or director will be required to submit an original script for consideration. The selected team will receive support to develop the project through pre-production, filming and post-production.
To apply, please complete the application form here and submit the following supporting documents:
ALL APPLICANTS
Please submit your CV with details of professional work and filmography.
Please submit a PDF of no more than five pages that explains your passion for your chosen discipline. This may be a mixture of text and images, but however you choose to present it, the document must communicate your experience, influences and ambitions.
If you are applying as a writer and director team, please submit a collaborative statement highlighting your rationale for working together.
WRITERS/DIRECTORS
Please submit an original, narrative script for a short film you would like to make as part of the Sean Connery Talent Lab, comprising no fewer than eight and no more than fifteen pages. The script must be in an industry-standard format and submitted as a PDF. (Projects submitted must be achievable within the permitted budget and solely and exclusively owned and controlled by the applicant with no actual or potential third-party claims or obligations not specifically detailed in the submission, for example, a co-writer or underlying material]).
Scripts should contain a content warning where applicable. A script content warning is a written statement that proceeds potentially sensitive content which people many find triggering or distressing. This enables readers to engage with the material in a way that minimises psychological distress.
Please submit a treatment / director’s statement relating to the submitted script (max three pages).
The NFTS adheres to the BFI diversity standards and projects will be considered in light of how they meet those guidelines.
If you have any questions, please get in touch wales@nfts.co.uk
