The first grant launched in December 2025 and the quality of the submissions was extremely impressive. Although the grant was originally a single prize of £500, there was another short film that I simply couldn’t let go of and I decided to offer them a second prize of £250. Here are the winners:

BENEATH IT ALL

Winner of the £500 December grant

Between takes on her first feature film, actress Remi is suddenly given direction
that could significantly alter the course of her life. With only ten minutes to
decide whether or not to stand up to the director, the film takes an unexpected turn

In this gripping film told primarily in one shot, it explores the ways in which
power is manipulated within the film industry, and how this exploits and affects the lives of female actresses all too often

A short film by Tea Van de Burgt that won in an extremely competitive round of submissions. The grant will be used for the film’s festival run to make sure this deeply impactful film can reach audiences globally and get the attention it deserves

For more info on the film, click here

EACH COMING NIGHT

Winner of the £250 December grant

The debut short film from writer-director Dakota Blue Richards, starring Evanna Lynch

When Gwen arrives at a hotel which was recently the scene of a brutal murder, receptionist Sophie assumes she has met a fellow true crime enthusiast; however, it soon becomes apparent that Gwen’s interest is far more personal… The film is completed production in January 2026

For more information and updates on the film, check out Dakota’s Instagram