Can I apply for an award?

Eligibility and guidelines

The John Brabourne Awards provides financial assistance up to £5,000 to individuals working in the UK film and TV industries*. We are a stepping stone for individuals who are talented and driven, but who face hurdles in developing their career†.

Difficulties faced by award recipients in recent years have included:

  • Lack of finances
  • Accident
  • Illness
  • Personal circumstances preventing time or ability to work

This is not a definitive list, so if you have any questions about your particular plans, email [email protected]

 

Are you eligible?

In order to qualify, candidates must demonstrate/provide the following:

  • At least 2 years working in Film and/or TV* (including aspects of digital broadcast**). This doesn’t have to be consecutive.
  • A talent for your chosen field
  • A genuine need of financial assistance and support to overcome hurdles
  • A commitment to progress their career
  • Two referees working professionally in the film and/or television industries. If relevant, one referee can be from an educational institution
  • There are no nationality limits, however your career focus should be primarily based within UK film and/or TV at the time of applying.

How we shortlist

All completed application forms will be assessed on the following key criteria:

Talent, as demonstrated by:
  • Your track record and examples of previous work
  • Your personal connection to your work and how it relates to you as an individual
Financial need, as shown by:
  • Incomings/outgoings
  • Declaration of any debts/arrears/loans
  • Your ability to express how financial support will help to progress your career
Strength of proposal, as shown by:
  • Realistic, appropriate aims
  • A clear rationale for why this particular proposal will help you to overcome the barriers you have experienced
  • A convincing demonstration that you are able to deliver on the proposal
  • If applicable, clear plans to raise any additional funding required to meet the proposed budget above the maximum £5,000 on offer from the charity
  • A clear vision for your career trajectory; aspirations for what you would like to achieve in the future

Completing the narrative questions

We take a holistic view of talent, which means we recognise that the person and their professional ambitions are part of the same whole. Submissions that paint a clear picture of the individual tend to be more compelling, so we’re interested in the choices you have made to arrive at this point; in the difficulties, barriers and failures that you have endured; why your chosen field matters to you as a person; and your connection to your work. As well as this, we also need a clear picture of the project you’re pursuing and its potential – and how the award could help to make it happen.

* Does not include front of camera work
** For example, SVOD / FAANGS
† Awards are made to individuals rather than teams, productions, companies or organisations. We cannot provide funding retrospectively, e.g. production costs for a completed short film.