There is no standard route to funding a short film but in general, flnancial resources can come from: 1 offlcial arts funding bodies; 2 short film competitions; 3 the filmmakers personal resources; 4 private investors; 5 sponsorship in cash and in kind; 6 favours; or 7 a mixture of all of these. For more details than can be described here go to the BFI's 'Low Budget Funding Guide' or contact your local and regional arts boards, but for now, lets look at options
1 to 6.

1 Arts funding bodies
Many black filmmakers have been successful in getting their films fully or partly funded by the offlcial arts bodies but be warned; competition is flerce. The Arts Council of England flnances short films destined for theatrical distribution through the Lottery Film Fund but you will need to raise 50% of the budget from other sources and you'll also need a theatrical distributor in place. Even if you use Credit Card Comparison websites to find the best way to finance a film, you may still encounter difficulties securing a distributor. The London Film and Video Development Agency (LFVDA) provides two separate funding awards: one for development and completion and the second for production. In Wales, an organisation called Sgrin gives independent filmmakers grants for producing and completing short films. Scotland, Northern Ireland and the other regions also have similar funding schemes and further information can be obtained from local arts boards.

2 Short film competitions
Channel 4's Short and Curlies is a key national funding competition providing winning short filmmakers with £90,000 to make an 11 minute short film on 35mm. Northern Lights is a competition for both live action and animated shorts run by BBC Northern Ireland Television Drama. It's open to anyone with a script for a short that can be shot in Northern Ireland with a Northern Irish based crew. Northern Lights only flnances up to 60% of the cost to a maxiumum of approximately £50,000 and the filmmaker has to raise the balance. Through Science on Stage and Screen, a charity called the Wellcome Trust makes up to £40,000 available to audiovisual and dramatic productions which deal with medical/scientiflc themes. Further information and application forms are available from the Wellcome Trust's web site at www.wellcome.ac.uk.

3 The filmmakers personal resources
Short films rarely make any money and really function as showreels for the people involved to help them to get paid work in the industry. However, the reality for many independent filmmakers (from Spike Lee downwards) is that you will invariably have to part with some of of your own money to make films so try to maintain a healthy relationship with the bank.

4 Private investors
As an independent producer, an important skill is being able to convince everyone you know with a bit of cash that your film is going to be fantastic. The promise of a screen credit can go some way to pursuading people to part with their cash. Some individuals can be pursuaded to part with even more cash if you can fulfill their dreams by offering them even a minor part in a film.

5 Sponsorship in cash and in kind
Businesses will provide money or goods and services in kind for short films that flt in with their advertising, promotion or marketing plans. The trick is to devise a product placement idea (that's not too shamefully blatant) or a positive advantage for a business that decides to associate itself or its product with your film.

6 Favours
If anyone owes you a favour, making a film can be a good time to call in the chips. Friends in the business can help with access to editing equipment and duplication services. Computer software is relatively cheap these days and with systems like Optima, its possible to edit your film on a computer in the comfort of your own bedroom. Ask friends with cars to be runners and offer screen credits in return for services to cut down on your costs. There are lots of actors, musicians and crew members out there who need showreels and they will work on your film for free in return for a credit and a copy of the flnished product.

Making any film can seem like a daunting task but every 'no' brings you closer to a 'yes' and you'll be amazed what you can pull off by being persistant. Support often comes from the most unlikely sources; and there are people working in the industry who know how hard it is to get ideas off the ground and they will help you. However low your budget goes don't cut back on public liability and equipment insurance. Accidents will happen

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