Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Film London have launched the fifth edition of the London Borough Film Fund Challenge (LBFFC) alongside Film London in 90 Seconds, the popular film-making competition introduced last year as part of the fund.

A total of 22 London Boroughs will be involved in this year's LBFFC. The fund will be available to residents in Barking and Dagenham, Enfield, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Redbridge, Southwark, Waltham Forest and Wandsworth. Meanwhile, Barnet, Brent, Croydon, Hackney, Hillingdon, Islington, Merton, Newham, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton and Tower Hamlets will offer the chance to take part in Film London in 90 Seconds, a film-making competition which awards £500, up from £300 last year, to the best 90-second film in each participating borough.

The application process for the 2010 round of the LBFFC is now open. Details and online forms are now available at: www.filmlondon.org.uk/boroughfilmfunds. Film London in 90 Seconds will be open for submissions in the autumn.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "Film is not only sublime entertainment, it's a revenue generator for London's economy and as we emerge from the downturn, it's vital we continue to nurture creative talent. Across the capital a future Boyle or a budding Chadha is waiting to be discovered. As the Emmys and other awards show, in front of and behind the camera, London is a hotbed of great talent that can take on the very best internationally. This scheme is a terrific opportunity for future Brit flick innovators and potential Hollywood blockbuster directors to hone their film-making skills.'

Working in partnership with the capital's local authorities the LBFFC aims to discover grassroots talent, stimulate local film-making and develop new skills. Since its launch in 2006 the fund has produced over 120 short films. Many up-and-coming film-makers have used the fund to launch a career in the production industries and several have been shortlisted for prestigious international awards, including best European short film award at the Berlin Film Festival.

The LBFFC offers up to £4,000 towards the production of a short film. Film London in partnership with Skillset provides financial support plus dedicated advice and resources while each fund is run and financed by the participating boroughs. The ambition of the LBFFC is to expand the fund's reach to give every London resident the chance to access a film-making fund in their local area.

The announcement of the LBFFC 2010 comes shortly after the Best of Boroughs Film Awards (BoBs), which took place in July and are an annual celebration of films produced through the fund. At the event, shorts from Newham and Southwark that were made through the previous round of the LBFFC received awards. The best overall 90-second film in competition, from Barnet, was also acknowledged with an award.

Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London said: "Film London is very pleased to continue working with the boroughs to unearth local talent through the LBFFC. Despite these challenging economic times, with the support of the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency the fund demonstrates our solid commitment to discover and nurture creative talent and the film-makers of tomorrow."

Patron of the LBFFC, film-maker Gurinder Chadha, said: "I started my career through a short film competition with the BFI. The BoBs and the London Borough Film Fund Challenge are invaluable in helping other London kids, like me back then, find their cinematic voice. Best of all the reach of the film fund is growing and will soon be open to anyone who has something to say."


For further press information, please contact:

Colette Geraghty
T: +44 (0) 20 7613 7680
M: +44 (0) 7917 437 699  
E: colette.geraghty@filmlondon.org.uk            

Anna Highet
T : +44 (0) 20 7613 7679
E : anna.highet@filmlondon.org.uk


Notes to Editors

About the London Borough Film Fund Challenge
Open to all local residents of the participating boroughs, the film funds offer up to £4,000 towards the production of a short film. The scheme is run and funded by the participating boroughs, with Film London providing financial support as well as dedicated advice and resources. Most film funds are run in partnerships comprising of two or more neighbouring London boroughs as follows: Eastern Edge Film Fund (Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge, Waltham Forest), Southern Exposure (Lewisham, Southwark, Lambeth), The Shorts Film Fund 2010 (Kensington & Chelsea, Wandsworth, Hammersmith & Fulham), North London Film Partnership (Haringey, Enfield). The boroughs offering Film London in 90 Seconds competition are: Barnet, Brent, Croydon, Hackney, Hillingdon, Islington, Merton, Newham, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton and Tower Hamlets.

• Online application forms for the 2010/2011 round of the London Borough Film Fund Challenge are now available at: www.filmlondon.org.uk/boroughfilmfunds  
• Film London works in partnership with the borough film funds, providing over £50,000 towards the schemes plus advisory support as well as hosting the Film London Best of Boroughs Film Awards (BoBs)

Since launching in 2006 the LBFFC has funded over 120 short films producing work which has been selected for international festivals and won numerous and prestigious awards. This includes screening in official competition in Cannes, winning Best Short at the Berlin Film Festival and nominations for the British Independent Film Awards. Many of the film-makers have gone on to make more ambitious projects, found work in the production industry or continued their training at some of the world's best film schools.