NORTHERN LIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL INVITES YOU TO APPLY FOR THE INAUGURAL NORTH STAR PRODUCTION AWARD

North Star is set to be one of the best-resourced short film production prizes in the UK and has grown directly out of the festival's multi award-winning Digital Film Challenges.

The winner of North Star 05 will be assisted professionally and financially to make a short film to be shot either on film or digital and with a potential ultimate budget of between £30,000 and £40,000 in financial support and donated professional services.

The award-winning film is to be authored by the filmmaker and there are no genre limitations. The Award is designed for experienced filmmakers resident in the North East who have yet to make their first feature film. Only those who have made either two short films or one factual/drama television programmes of at least 30 minutes duration are eligible to apply.

The winning project will be produced by Newcastle based Yipp Films and The Script Factory will act as script editors. The film will be shot during the Summer of 2006 and will be world premiered at Northern Lights Film Festival 2006.

The winning filmmaker will be selected by a panel including the Festival Directors and Northern Film & Media and they will be chosen against a criteria based on a mix of talent, experience and quality of initial idea.

Selection process:
Shortlisted filmmakers will be invited to an interview at the beginning of November at The Tyneside Cinema and the winner will be announced on 17 November at Northern Lights Film Festival Industry Summit. Details of the Summit are available on the Film Industry Summit page of this website.

Application requirements:
To apply you will need to complete a simple application form and send it along with a developed idea/treatment, showreel and CV. To download an application form click on this link. (Microsoft Word format).

Please submit your project to:
North Star
Yipp Films Ltd
Office 2
Maling Studios
Hoults Estates
Walker Road
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE6 2HL

All queries should be sent to Tine Munk at Yipp Films.

Deadline for submission has now expired.
Congratulations go to Darlington-based Ian Fenton for winning the inaugural North Star Film Production Award, which carries up to £40,000 in funding for him to develop and shoot his short film Black Dog. The film will premiere at Northern Lights 2006.