Freelancing can be an exhilarating journey filled with opportunities for growth and success. However, it’s not without its challenges. That’s why we’re here to lend a helping hand to all the hardworking freelancers out there. In this blog post, we’ve curated a comprehensive list of grants, free training programs, and other forms of support designed to elevate your career and enhance your well-being. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, explore new avenues, or simply find a community to connect with, we’ve got you covered.

Grants & funding

• ScreenSkills bursaries: apply for funding to progress your career  – Cash grant to remove the obstacles to getting into the screen industries or progressing your career once you’re in. You can apply for money to pay for most things that relate to work and continuing professional development, such as training fees, accommodation, care, disability access costs, equipment, software and travel.
  
  
• Genera Films | Funding – Genera Films partners with remarkable companies and organisations to boost financial support for short films. Please note that each collaboration comes with unique terms and conditions that will differ from our primary funding rounds. Take a moment to review them carefully.
  
  
• BFI NETWORK England short film funding | BFI – This fund is open to filmmaking teams with directors based in England. It supports the production costs of standalone fiction films. These can be live action, animation or immersive/VR and must be no more than 15 minutes long. Deadline: 9 May 2024.
  
  
• Stop-Gap Grant  – Stop-Gap Grants can provide you with immediate support to help manage urgent financial needs when you have nowhere else to turn.
  
  
• Sir Horace Ové Grant – Grants of up to £500 are available and could cover anything from childcare or travel costs to help you access a career opportunity, to courses supporting your professional development.
  
  
• Travel Grants Fund  – A new-look Travel Grant Fund, offering grants to filmmakers and XR creatives to support travel to selected international festivals and showcase events, labs, and co production forums.
  
  

Free training

• Leadership and management essentials for those working in animation or children’s TV – Training Course  – This is for heads of department and managers on animated series or features, or on scripted and unscripted children’s TV productions who are increasingly required to run larger teams and manage staff so this course has been designed to help them to get the best from their teams and help them address underperformance or bad behaviour. Deadline: 24 Jun 2024.
  
  
• CV Building for New Entrants in High-end TV  – These sessions aim to empower individuals who wish to enter the high-end TV industry, with the aim to position them in the best way possible when writing their CVs and approaching employers.
  
  
• Developing the art of successful negotiation  – This session is aimed at new entrants in the high-end TV industry who would like advice on where to start and in particular CV advice.
  
  
• Step up to 2nd assistant editor in high-end TV  – This fully-funded training programme will support 10 editorial trainees from across the nation who are looking to become 2nd assistant editors. Deadline: 9 May 2024.
  
  
• Moving into Children’s TV  – Structured around case studies and “must know’s” this two-hour session (including mid-way break) lifts the lid on this joyful “industry within an industry” including audience insights and best practice in editorial and production to grow your skills in the sector. Deadline: 2 Jul 2024.
  
  

Awards

• Grierson Awards 2024  – The awards recognise and celebrate documentaries from Britain and abroad that have made a significant contribution to the genre and that demonstrate quality, integrity, creativity, originality and overall excellence. Deadline: 31 May 2024.

Other

• Confidence | The Film and TV Charity  – Confidence Booster by The Film and TV Charity.
  
  
• The TV recession – how did we get here and what’s going to happen next? – Training Course  – Faced with this changing TV work landscape, an accompanying second session this week ‘The new freelance world – from TV to content creation and beyond’ on Friday the 15th May at 10-11am, will look at opportunities to diversify in the screen sector beyond traditional TV production with a panel of expert contributors who are doing that.
  
  
• Book a workspace at the Film and TV Charity  – Free open workspace right in the heart of Soho (2-hours only).
  
  
• The Film and TV Charity Quiz Night Tickets, Thu 6 Jun 2024 at 18:00  – Gather your brainiest buddies and compete in a battle of wits while showing your support for the film, TV, and cinema community we’re here to help.
  
  
• Film Crowdfunding Workshop – Whether you have a specific project in mind that needs funding or you’re simply curious about the crowdfunding process, this workshop will help you develop the skills you need to succeed. Date: 20 May 2024, tickets from £28.04.
  
  

Mental Health related

• Get help now | The Film and TV Charity (filmtvcharity.org.uk) – urgent support: If it’s not an emergency but you want to talk to someone now, our free and confidential 24-hour Support Line is here for you.
  
  
• Where to get urgent help for mental health  – NHS urgent mental health helplines are for people of all ages

We hope this compilation of grants, training opportunities, and other forms of support as a guiding light on your freelance journey. Remember, you’re not alone in this endeavour! Follow our social media channels to stay updated about TCC events, freelancer projects, job opportunities, and company news.