London Breeze Film Festival – A breath of fresh air on the international film festival circuit.

London Breeze Film Festival & TikTok present

Young Black Filmmakers Fund

watch trailer

calling black british filmmakers who are already doing the work

Introducing a brand new £10K fund, mentorship, and a UK premiere slot at London Breeze 2026

Proudly sponsored by

who it's for

You’ve been shooting. Writing. Producing. Collaborating. You’ve knocked on doors—some opened, some didn’t. But you’re still here… and now there’s a door built for you.

The Young Black Filmmakers Fund has come to life to help you take that next serious step. Whether it’s your first major short or the one you’ve been waiting to make with the right team behind you—this is your moment.

It’s an opportunity made for you. For teams that are already in motion. For ideas that are ready to go. For Black British filmmakers aged 18–30 who want more than attention—they want traction.We’re not here to play gatekeeper. We’re here to back your talent.

submission deadline august 01, 2025

we want to read your script

submit through my smash media

HEADS UP - YOU'll NEED TO register for a smash account (it's free)

Up to £10,000 funding grant for your short film

Mentorship from BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Alex Kayode-Kay

Marketing, production and development support

Closed pitching workshop with My SMASH Media

Live pitch event at London Breeze 2025

UK premiere screening at The Ritzy (London Breeze 2026)

what's funded

One winning project.

This isn’t just money—it’s the push that can turn a great short into a great career move.

You bring:

A script, a team, and a clear creative vision.

We bring:

Resources. Mentorship. And a platform that puts you in the room.

"This festival has come on leaps and bounds since it started, and that can be evidenced by the industry recognition with being added to the BIFA affiliated festival list. But also down to its curation of both national and international programming. The industry guests they arrange are top shelf, and the festival really does focus on the filmmaker and showing their work off the best they can."

Festival Formula

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eligibility

This is for emerging filmmakers who are ready to go:

Aged 18–30
Based in the UK
Applying as a team: Writer / Director / Producer
Have a 10–12 page short film script
Proposed budget of up to £10,000
At least two of the three team members are Black British, including either the Writer or Director
At least one of the main creative team (director/writer/producer) must be 18-30

Please note: This is not an entry-level programme. It’s for creatives who are already making moves—and need real support to level up now.

When you've lived it, you know what’s missing. Alex Kayode-Kay, the multi-award winning, BAFTA nominated director, writer, actor, and producer who carved his way in, is proof of what’s possible. That’s why he cares—as a mentor of the winning team, and as the creative force behind the fund.

how it works

1. Submit Your Script

Through My SMASH Media, from 14 April – 1 August 2025

2. Get Shortlisted

We’ll announce the shortlist on 1 October 2025

3. Closed Pitching Workshop

Work with My SMASH Media in an intensive session to sharpen your pitch, prep your team, and level up your confidence.

4. Live Pitch at London Breeze

Take the stage at the 2025 festival to pitch in front of a panel and audience who matter.

5. Bring Your Film to Life

With mentorship from Alex Kayode-Kay, production support, and a budget of up to £10,000.

6. Premiere at The Ritzy, London

Be one of the highlights of the 2026 London Breeze Film Festival—on screen, in front of our loyal audience of film enthusiasts and industry professionals.

key dates

Submissions Open: 14 April 2025

Submission Deadline: 1 August 2025

Shortlist Announced: 1 October 2025

Pitch Workshop & Event: October 2025

Premiere Screening: London Breeze 2026

London Breeze is evolving. It’s long been a space for urgent, daring, diverse stories—but this is the first time the festival is investing directly in helping shape them. Through this fund, London Breeze is doing more than curating films—it’s helping young Black filmmakers tell the stories THEY want to tell.

Got the script? Got the crew? Ready to shoot?

This is your shot

submit through my smash media

HEADS UP - YOu'll NEED TO register for a smash account (it's free)

Proudly sponsored by

press snippets

"To celebrate our community of film lovers here in the UK, today, we are thrilled to announce TikTok will be partnering with the London Breeze Film Festival. London Breeze film festival is a home for emerging filmmakers, connecting them to audiences, and providing new talent with opportunity to flourish. This year, in partnership with TikTok, London Breeze Film Festival will launch a new initiative that will support emerging Black filmmakers across the UK. The competition will give young filmmakers an opportunity to pitch their short film scripts, secure funding, and create their films for a premiere screening at the London Breeze Film Festival 2026."

Dominic Burns, Head of Operations, TikTok UK, Ireland & Nordics

"As a filmmaker, I understand how difficult it can be to get funding and support in the early stages of your career. The Young Black Filmmakers Fund will provide a resource for filmmakers from an underrepresented community that I'm part of, providing a long term resource for these talented storytellers. I'm happy to partner with London Breeze Film Festival, who are committed to supporting emerging filmmakers of all backgrounds. I'm also happy for TikTok, one of the most important brands in the world today for inspire young creatives, to be sponsoring the first year of the Young Black Filmmakers Fund."

Alex Kayode-Kay, BAFTA nominated director, writer, actor, producer and London Breeze Film Festival Patron

"London Breeze is incredibly proud to launch the unique Young Black Filmmakers Fund, a dedicated platform for an underrepresented community within the UK film industry. This fund is more than just financial support – as a festival, we aim to guide, support, and elevate underrepresented voices from around the globe. Year-round, we strive to curate exciting, bespoke events that foster a sense of community and celebrate our shared love of film. The 2025 winning pitch will receive not only the backing it deserves, but also the opportunity to premiere at our festival in 2026 - something we are incredibly excited about!"

Sam Cullis, Executive Director, London Breeze

London Breeze Film Festival & TikTok present

Young Black Filmmakers Fund

calling black british filmmakers who are already doing the work

Introducing a brand new £10K fund, mentorship, and a UK premiere slot at London Breeze 2026

Proudly sponsored by

submission deadline august 01, 2025

we want to read your script

HEADS UP - YOU'll NEED TO register for a smash account (it's free)

wanna watch the trailer again? Sound On 🙂

how it works

Got the script? Got the crew? Ready to shoot?

This is your shot

HEADS UP - YOu'll NEED TO register for a smash account (it's free)

Proudly sponsored by

press snippets

brought to you by our sponsors

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