Cinema Extreme, Britain's Oscar winning short film scheme, is now open for applications. Co-financed by the UK Film Council’s New Cinema Fund and Film4, Cinema Extreme seeks out and develops filmmakers with a distinctive directorial voice and cinematic flair.  This unique director-led short film scheme, managed by independent production company The Bureau is now in its sixth year.

Twenty-three films have been commissioned to date. They have been shown at festivals around the world and won numerous awards including the Edinburgh International Film Festival's Best Short Award for Duane Hopkins' Love Me or Leave Me Alone and the Oscar® for Best Short Film for Andrea Arnold's Wasp.

In 2008/09  Film4 and the UK Film Council will select and fully finance up to 4 short films. The maximum budget per short film will be £50,000. This year they will be considering scripts and one page ideas.

In addition the UK Film Council's Development Fund and Film4 will offer one of  the filmmakers commissioned by Cinema Extreme 2008/09 the opportunity to develop  their feature to first draft.

For further details, FAQ’s or to download the guidelines and application forms please visit:

http://www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk/extreme

http://www.thebureau.co.uk/schevents/index.html

Deadline for applications: 12th September 2008