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Two Minute Masterpiece is open for applications



Date Posted: November 17, 2022

Attention content creators! BBC Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen is seeking documentary, animation and comedy ideas for Two Minute Masterpiece.

Two Minute Masterpiece is a talent development project that encourages the next generation of filmmakers and content creators to push their creative boundaries and get their best ideas on the BBC.

The scheme provides a platform to showcase the diversity, creativity and artistic vision of new and emerging filmmakers in Northern Ireland.

Four filmmakers will have the opportunity to create their own two-minute video for publication on the BBC.

We are especially interested in filmmakers from backgrounds that are underrepresented within the media industry, and ideas that explore a diverse range of viewpoints.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online pitching and mentorship session with industry professionals and will pitch their ideas to a commissioning panel.

Chosen filmmakers will attend training with an industry professional to develop a comprehensive production plan for their short film. They will then be paired with an industry mentor and given a production fund of £2,500 towards realising their creative vision.

Your finished film has the potential to be shown on various BBC platforms and can be a stepping-stone to further opportunities. Previous Two Minute Masterpiece projects have won awards at international film festivals. Recently, Sorcha McGlinchy’s animation Rawr won a prestigious Torc award at The Celtic Media Festival.

Below is the timetable for this round – please only send an idea if you are available on these dates.

  • Submissions deadline: 2nd December 2022
  • A panel of BBC Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen staff will shortlist the submitted entries
  • Shortlisted candidates for live action film will have an online pitching session with an industry mentor on 7th December 2022
  • Shortlisted candidates for animation will have an online pitching session with an industry mentor on 8th December 2022
  • Candidates pitch to a BBC commissioning panel on 13th December 2022 with notification of results to candidates within two weeks
  • Successful filmmakers will work with a mentor to develop a detailed production plan for sign off by 4th January 2023
  • Up to four filmmakers will be paired with an industry mentor and will each be awarded a £2,500 production fund to make their film
  • Films must be delivered to the BBC by 13th February 2023
  • In-house edit, grade and dub with BBC staff will be scheduled between 20 – 24th February 2023
  • BBC Northern Ireland will decide on an appropriate date for iPlayer publication in 2023

Click here to submit your application.

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