The FOCUS Award 2024

Presented by EVCOM for young diverse filmmakers

Are you an aspiring film maker but finding the industry hard to break into? Did you know that there’s whole companies who are dedicated to producing short films and adverts for businesses, governments and charities?

EVCOM is an organisation which represents this part of the film industry, and this 2024 we are excited to launch the FOCUS Award for its third year! Designed to celebrate young, diverse creative talent, the FOCUS Award is an award for young Black filmmakers and filmmakers of colour.

We recognise that Black people, and People of Colour are massively under-represented throughout our industry. The FOCUS Award is designed to foster, nurture and grow talent, as well as open doors. EVCOM is committed to addressing racism and race-related barriers to access and inclusion within the corporate film sector, to work towards a more inclusive and representative corporate film industry. Find out more here.

Take a look at work by our previous winners here.

This year, mentorship opportunities are being offered by Gorilla Gorilla!, The Edge Picture Company, Plastic Pictures and Media Zoo. Meet our 2024 FOCUS Award mentors here.

Thank you to Gorilla Gorilla! and The Edge Picture Company for sponsoring this award.

*

Returning for it’s third year, the FOCUS Award called for people to send in their short films for the chance to win invaluable mentoring sessions, to have your film screened in front of professional filmmakers and to win £500 to support your filmmaking practice!

What are we looking for?

• Creative energy
• Storytelling ability
• A passion for filmmaking

Can I apply?

The award is open to filmmakers who are 18-25, Black or a Person of Colour and not already working in the film and TV industry.

How do I apply?

Please submit a short film you have made that is up to ten minutes in length. In the application form we will ask you to give us some background about the film and what you were trying to achieve with it.

Please note, applications are now closed.

What do I get if I win?

The shortlisted entrants will receive free tickets to the summer awards ceremony and have excerpts from their films screened to all our guests! All shortlisted entrants will receive a mentorship session with a top corporate film company, where they can ask their questions, get feedback on their film and learn about the industry.

Two winners will be selected, each of whom will receive:

• £500
• A trophy
• Six months worth of mentorship opportunities, provided by three of the top corporate film companies
• Over the course of the six month, each mentee will have access to mentorship sessions, feedback on their work, and the chance to spend a day at a film shoot working with two different mentors over the six month period. Meet the mentors here.

*

Congratulations to our two winners:

Exhale by Adekemi Roluga

Our mentors said, “This piece truly made the hairs on my arms stand up! The narratives were clear, concise, and compelling, drawing me in from the start.”

La Bayk by Raihan Kamal

Our mentors said, “La Bayk was beautifully considered and crafted. Brave and raw, it held my attention.”

Find out more about our winners.