
The Developing Room's Short Film Microfund is a member-exclusive film fund, running three times throughout the year. Members get the opportunity to submit either a script (up to 20 pages) or a rough draft of a film currently in post-production, for free, to each edition.
The dates for the 2025-2026 funding rounds are as follows:
Round One
Opens: September 1st 2025
Closes: October 31st 2025
Winner announced: December 15th 2025
Round Two
Opens: January 1st 2026
Closes: February 28th 2026
Winner announced: April 15th 2026
Round Three
Opens: May 1st 2026
Closes: June 30th 2026
Winner announced: August 15th 2026
Round One
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Prizes
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£2000 production or finishing fund
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£350 equipment rental voucher from Fallback Rentals
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Script Development Meeting with Script Angel
Rules & FAQs
* We accept scripts for narrative short films (live action & animation), web series pilots, and proof-of-concept shorts for features and TV series; pitch decks for documentary short films; or rough cuts of films in post-production.
* Scripts should be under 20 pages; pitch decks under 20 slides; or rough cuts under 20 minutes (submitted via a link that does not require a download).
* We welcome submissions from any country. However, all projects must be in English.
* Submissions may be made by the project's director, writer, or producer. Only the submitter needs to be a member of The Developing Room.
* If the submitter's membership is cancelled at any point between submission and the winners being announced, their submission will immediately and irrevocably be disqualified.
* All submitted projects must be original work or they own the copyright. If a team enters, all parties must consent.
* Projects submitted to previous funding rounds are valid to submit again.
* The decision of The Developing Room is final. By applying to the Fund each participant agrees to hold The Developing Room immune from any competition disputes, claims, liabilities, and expenses.
* The Winners consent to The Developing Room using their name, project title, and any other relevant information for promotional purposes. This will be used to inform other contestants and the media of the results. The Winners agree to cut a trailer and provide a poster of the film for The Developing Room to use on our website, social media, and other promotional platforms. We will also be unrestricted in how and where we promote the finished film once it is officially released.
* The Developing Room will be listed as one of the ‘Production Companies’ on the project and also receive an ‘Executive Producer’ credit. The Developing Room logo will need to be added to the end credits.
* The Winner’s filmmaking team will have the final call on cast, crew, and edit.
* If the winning project hasn't been filmed within 12 months of the winners’ announcement, The Developing Room has the discretion to transfer the funds to another submitted project, or else withdraw the prize.
* The winning script or film may obtain funding from other sources and/or have co-production agreements with other companies.