About the opportunity
The Planet Health Film Fund is an initiative launched by Earthrise and Bupa, in partnership with sustainability partner BAFTA Albert and SXSW London, supporting five filmmakers to create original short documentaries. Selected filmmakers will receive £20,000 each to produce a 10-minute documentary along with accompanying social content exploring the connections between human health and environmental health. Participants will take part in a dedicated online development programme featuring masterclasses from industry leaders, receive ongoing production support from Earthrise, and premiere their completed films at SXSW London 2027 followed by a global digital release on YouTube.
Funding and benefits
- Five awards of £20,000 each to cover the full cost of making and delivering the film and supporting materials.
- Participation in a dedicated online development programme featuring masterclasses from BAFTA Albert, YouTube, Together Films, and other leading industry voices.
- Ongoing support from Earthrise throughout production with regular check-ins and feedback.
- Expert guidance on sustainable screen practices from BAFTA Albert and in-kind subtitling and creative captioning support from Screen Language.
- World Premiere of finished films at SXSW London 2027 followed by a coordinated global digital release on YouTube.
Who can apply?
- Open to international applicants aged 18 or over.
- Applicants must have previously directed at least one completed documentary film (short or feature-length) or comparable authored non-fiction work selected for a recognised film festival or commissioned/distributed by an established broadcaster, editorial, or documentary platform.
- The lead applicant must be the director of the proposed film (co-directors are welcome, but one must be nominated as lead).
- Limited to one entry per individual, whether as a lead director or co-director.
- Applicants must have a legally registered production company in place at the point of application, as awards cannot be paid directly to an individual.
Required documents
- Application submitted in English via the official application portal.
- Project proposal demonstrating appropriate access to the proposed story and principal contributors.
- Creative materials representing the applicant's own work or that of identified collaborators.
When to apply
- Applications open on 29 October 2026.
- Applications close on 16 November 2026 at 6:00 PM GMT.
- Applicants notified of outcomes in December 2026.
- Five selected filmmakers announced in early January 2027.
How to apply
- Read the full Terms & Conditions and FAQs on the official website before submitting.
- Prepare your project proposal and verify that a legally registered production company is in place.
- Submit your application through the official online application portal before the deadline on 16 November 2026.
Additional information
- Projects must be realistically achievable within the £20,000 budget and agreed delivery timeline without bringing additional production finance.
- Projects must not have entered production or post-production at the time of application, though preliminary filming during development is permitted.
- No AI-generated content is permitted in audience-facing materials.
- Selected filmmakers must be available to attend a series of required online development sessions in early 2027.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Experienced documentary directors looking for production funding, mentorship, and high-profile international festival exposure.
- Filmmakers passionate about environmental storytelling, climate issues, and the intersection of human health and nature.
- Creatives who already have a registered production company and a compelling, accessible non-fiction story ready to enter production.
What should you think carefully about?
- The £20,000 grant must cover the entire production and delivery cost with no additional funding permitted, requiring strict budget management.
- A legally registered production company must already be in place at the time of application.
- Selected filmmakers must commit to a strict production timeline culminating in a World Premiere at SXSW London in May 2027.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This opportunity provides a valuable platform for documentary filmmakers seeking to produce a standalone authored short film with guaranteed festival premiere and global digital distribution. It is well-suited for directors aiming to build their portfolio, gain industry mentorship from BAFTA Albert and major platform voices, and reach a broad international audience through high-impact channels.
Our take
Independent documentary directors with festival experience and an established production company who want to create impactful environmental stories should seriously consider applying before the November 2026 deadline. It is less suitable for first-time directors without prior completed work or those seeking partial funding alongside other financial sources.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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