A UK Film Council (UKFC) scheme that will give young British film-makers the chance to play an artistic role in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will receive $5m (£3m) from the Olympic organising committee.

The UKFC’s Film Nation is one of the first cultural schemes to receive funding from the Olympic Lottery Distributor via the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

The scheme, which will offer young people the chance to get involved in making and showing films that reflect contemporary society, comprises a number of programmes. They include Film Nation Shorts, a UK-wide shorts filmmaking competition for young people and Film Nation Dreams, a documentary film project following young Olympic and Paralympic contenders.

Other initiatives include Olympic Schools Film Week, which will include a programme of films from Olympic nations to be shown at schools and London International Film Talks, a programme of masterclasses with filmmakers who are yet to be announced. Participants in the different projects will get the chance to make a film with the world’s best cinema talent. 

John Woodward, the UK Film Council’s chief executive said: “$5m (£3m) of cash, a good set of partners and a great plan – all in all, this is very welcome news for the film community. Our focus will be on young film talent from across the UK and also on tapping into the skills of some of the world’s most acclaimed filmmakers.”

Film Nation will be delivered through the partnership of the UK Film Council, Skillset, the British Film Institute, Scottish Screen, Northern Ireland Screen, Film Agency for Wales, Screen England (the nine English Regional Screen Agencies), Film Club, Film Education, BAFTA, the Cinema Exhibitors’ Association and First Light Movies. 

Topics