WBD Access X Black Britain Unspoken 2024

Through Black Britain Unspoken, three filmmakers will be selected and supported to produce a short-form documentary (max. 5-6 mins), which may go on to air on the discovery + platform during the UK Black History Month (October 2024).

All submissions will be looked at by an appointed panel and a shortlist of 10 will be invited to a pitch day at Warner Bros. Discovery’s London offices. Three projects will be greenlit and provided with a production budget of up to £15,000 as well as production management support and editorial guidance from Warner Bros. Discovery Commissioning team and Wall to Wall Studios. Alongside this, each filmmaker will undergo a bespoke professional development curriculum through Media Trust and one-to-one mentoring.

Last year's film pitches explored narratives highlighting moments of joy, celebratory occasions, and even the expressive nature of fashion within the context of the Black community. This year we want to continue to look for unique stories that shine a new lens on the Black British experience.

BBU forms part of the Warner Bros Discovery Access, our creative talent development programmes that champion underrepresented voices.

Black Britain Unspoken 2024 Call Out Promo

WBD Access X Black Britain Unspoken 2024 Call Out Video

PROGRAM CRITERIA

To be eligible for the project, you must -

Identify as Black (or of Black heritage) and British

Be aged 18 or older

Have the right to work in the UK

Have no more than three broadcast credits as a director or writer [credits on shorts or other work that have not been broadcast on televisual platforms are permitted]

Have not written or directed a feature length film or documentary.

Have some prior experience working on a film or some form of visual media (e.g. student film, short film, music video, television etc.)

Be available to take part in the programme schedule which is detailed below.

You can apply for Black Britain Unspoken by using the submittable form below.

Please ensure you have read the Terms and Conditions before submitting your application.

PROGRAM TIMELINE

Submission window: 12 March – 8 April 2024

Informational Virtual Q&A Session: 1-2pm (BST) 21st March 2024

Pitch Day for shortlisted applications: 9am – 6pm on 24 May 2024

Final outcomes: Week beginning 27 May 2024

Professional Development training week taking place in person, in London between 17 –21 June 2024

Pre-production: June – Early July 2024

Production/Post-Production: July-August 2024

Final films delivered: September 2024

Films premiered: October 2024

*Some dates may be subject to change

FAQ

I live outside the UK. Can I apply? Will you handle my visa?

We are only accepting submissions from candidates who are currently based in the UK and have the right to work in the UK. The programme will not be able to sponsor you or pay for your visa.

When is the deadline?

All applications must be submitted by 11:59pm BST on Monday, April 8, 2024. No exceptions.

How do I apply?

All submissions must be made through our portal (see link below). Submissions via email will not be accepted.

Do I have to submit a finished product?

No, we want to hear what your ideas are for a short documentary on your real-life

experiences and perspectives of being Black in the UK. If you are selected, you will be paired

with a Commissioning Executive and Producer who will help you make your documentary with the allocated production budget.

How in-depth do I need to be in sharing my story/documentary idea?

As much detail as possible, within the character limit, is ideal. We really want to see your

vision. Try and be succinct but evocative. There is a maximum character count which equates

to roughly 250 words.

Do I need to have experience as a director?

No you don’t, but we’d like to see that you have some prior experience working with moving images, film or TV and are comfortable with being on set. We want to understand that you will be able to execute the creative vision of your documentary idea in the capacity of a director. If you have any prior work that you may want to show please feel free to link it to your application.

When will I find out if I am successful?

We aim to inform shortlisted applicants on the week of 13 May 2024, who will then be invited to Pitch Day at Warner Bros. Discovery offices in London on 24 May 2024. If you are living outside of London, all reasonable travel costs will be reimbursed.

Following this, the final 3 successful pitches will then be selected for production and applicants notified by the week beginning 27 May 2024.

Please note that, if you are successful, participation will be subject to contract and satisfactory completion of background checks.

What will the production process be, and who will own the rights to the finished film?

All films as part of the programme will be allocated a production budget of up to £15,000 and produced in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery and Wall to Wall Productions, and will be resourced, where appropriate, from Warner Bros. Discovery’s production and post-production staff and resources. Each film and filmmaker will be assigned a Commissioning Executive, an Editor, a Creative Manager and a Producer.

All finished films will need to be delivered in ample time to be broadcast on d+ platforms during Black History Month, and Warner Bros. Discovery will have exclusive broadcast rights to the films for 2 years. After this the filmmaker will then receive a non-exclusive royalty free license to exhibit their respective films worldwide. Warner Bros. Discovery will still have the rights to broadcast the films.

What is the selection process?

Each application will be reviewed by a committee which will be made up of a diverse group of professionals from the media industry and the team from Warner Bros Discovery.

What is the time commitment of the programme? Can I participate in other obligations while in the programme?

If your project is selected, you will be required to attend the mandatory Media Trust training programme which will be in-person in London between 17 –21 June 2024. There will be a fifth and final Media Trust session in London towards the end of the programme on 15 September 2024.

We also expect that you should be able to work on the film over the summer months (June-September) on top of any other commitments you have. You may also be required to attend other meetings that are required as part of the Black Britain Unspoken programme. Where possible, we will aim to give as much notice as possible.

Chosen filmmakers will also receive a fee of £3,000 for their time on the course of the programme in addition to the allocated production budget. This will be paid to the filmmakers in two separate installments.

Can I ask some more questions?

Of course, please get in touch with our team via email on access.international@wbd.com

Who can I contact about a technical issue I’m having with the Applicant Portal?

If you are still experiencing technical issues after reading through the above FAQ, please contact accessprograms@warnermedia.com

Will my self-identification information be shared? How will this information be used?

Individual level self-identification data will never be shared. Since the programmes are designed to serve underrepresented communities, collecting and analysing the aggregate data allows us to monitor diversity and review equal opportunities across our programmes. It will play no part in the application process. This self-identification section will be separated from your application on receipt. All self-identification questions are voluntary to answer.

Where can I watch last year’s winning films?

All six films as part of Season 1 and Season 2 can be watched on Discovery+ here.

See other Programs