Digital Shorts

We receive more than 100 applications a year for our Digital Shorts schemes. The best projects, a mix of new and existing filmmakers, are shortlisted and candidates interviewed.

Successful filmmakers may have already produced a Virgin Short, although this is not necessarily essential. However, Vision and Media is looking for filmmakers with a new approach to genre and storytelling; from documentary, to drama or animation.

The funds are used to pay for locations, cast, crew, equipment, insurance and post-production, although as the sums available are still limited, filmmakers will almost inevitably be required to rely on ‘favours’ from like-minded individuals in the industry.

“You never get enough money to make a film,” says Aneel Ahmad, one of this year’s directors, “but if it wasn’t for Vision and Media, my films would never have got off the ground. It’s been a good education and I’ve learned a lot about filmmaking in the last few years through the short films I’ve been able to make.”

Shorts are the ‘first rung’ when it comes to actual filmmaking. Martin Talbot, one of 2007’s producers, describes a short as a ‘calling card’.

“No short film makes money but if you can show what you are capable of in ten minutes, it’s tangible and you can entice investors. You’re demonstrating your production values. The industry doesn’t take you seriously until they can see you can do it.”

2008 Digital Shorts finalists

2007 Digital Shorts films

Short Films