Film London’s Microwave scheme is going global with an inititive to finance a UK-Indian feature based on Shakespeare’s writing.

Timed to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, the scheme brings together Asian writers, directors and producers from both India and the UK at a week-long ‘Microschool’ in Mumbai, funded by the British Council. The talents will collaborate on developing five feature films based on Shakespeare’s plays.

At the end of the training programme, which includes professional mentoring, one project will be awarded production funding of $800,000 (£500,000). The film will be released globally as part of the UK’s Shakespeare400 On Screen.

Indian film-maker Vishal Bhardwaj, who has adapted Hamlet, Othello and Macbeth as Hindi films, will help to mentor the scheme. Bhardwaj launched the scheme with Film London head of talent development and production Deborah Sathe at the on-going Film Bazaar co-production market in Goa, India.

“In taking Shakespeare as inspiration – a writer who has captivated audiences worldwide for centuries – it seems fitting for a new scheme that nurtures talent from two different continents and offers them a chance to tell timeless stories afresh,” said Sathe.

Adrian Wootton, chief executive of Film London and the British Film Commission, said: “I’m incredibly proud to build on the success of Microwave, to work with international talent and deliver a truly immersive programme on film craft and film business in India.”

Launched in 2006, Film London Microwave is a micro-budget feature film scheme which has produced eight features including Lilting, Shifty and iLL Manors.

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