Development Funding

This funding is to support the development of high quality projects from writers and producers based in the Northwest Vision + Media area.

There are three strands available under this funding priority:

Emerging/Established Talent - Working with a Mentor

Producer Led Development

Writers New to Film from Another Medium


All development fund strands will be open on a rolling basis.

1) Emerging/Established Talent - Working with a Mentor

This strand is open to individual writers looking to work with a recognised industry script editor or mentor to develop either a treatment or a script for a feature film.

The funding is to support the editor or mentor to work with the writer to develop a project, it is not to cover writer fees. The applicant is the writer and they must name the editor or mentor they wish to work with on the application, including details of their experience and why they have been chosen. If applicant cannot name a mentor/editor and the project is of quality, Northwest Vision and Media will help with finding and selecting such person.

Awards are up to £1,500 for script development with a smaller amount expected for treatment development.

Writers must be from the Northwest Vision and Media region, but mentors and editors can be resident elsewhere.

If the project is selected a work schedule will need to be agreed with Northwest Vision and Media.

A project selected as a treatment may apply again at a later date when the script has been developed. Scripts cannot not be resubmitted for additional assistance.

Match funding must be provided at a minimum of 30% of the total project costs. This amount can be provided as cash or in kind support.


2) Producer Led Development

This strand is open to North West based producers and production companies looking to work with North West writers to develop feature projects. This strand also covers costs for additional editor and mentor support should you choose (though it will be part of the award).

The funding is to support the writer, it is not to cover producer fees or overheads. The applicant is the producer and they must name the writer and editor/mentor if being used on the application, including details of why they wish to work with them and their intentions for the project once developed.

Producers can apply with either a treatment or a draft of the script, along with the writer’s CV.

The producer will be expected to have a formal agreement in place with the writer prior to submission of the application.

Funding will be released on delivery of revisions and editors notes where applicable.

Awards are up to £5,000 per application with up to 20% of the budget available for the editor/mentor if wanted. Strong projects are able to re-apply for support to help move the project forward up to a maximum project spend of £20,000.

Producers and writers must be from the Northwest Vision and Media region, but mentors and editors can be resident elsewhere.

Match funding must be provided at a minimum of 30% of the total project costs. This amount can be provided as cash or in kind support.

3) Writers New to Film

This strand is open to writers new to working in film, but with a demonstrable and commissioned track record in writing for another format, such as TV, radio or theatre.

It is to support individual writers to develop either a treatment or a script for a feature film. You may also work with an editor or mentor if you choose.

The funding is to support the writer to develop the project. The applicant is the writer and if they wish to work with an editor they must be named on the application, including details of their experience and why they have been chosen. If a script editor is wanted, but not named Northwest Vision Media will work with the applicant to identify the appropriate person.

Awards are up to £5000 for script development with a smaller amount expected for treatment development. Up to 20% of the budget can be used for the editor/mentor. Strong projects will be able to re-apply for support to help move the project forward up to a maximum project spend of £20,000. Priority will be given to projects which have had the ability to gain producer/production company/ industry interest.

Writers must be from the Northwest Vision + Media region, but mentors and editors can be resident elsewhere.

Match funding must be provided at a minimum of 30% of the total project costs. This amount can be provided as cash or in kind support.