Three Of The UK's Most Compelling New Filmmakers Shortlisted For UK Film's Biggest Bursary

Swiss luxury watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen revealed the three finalists vying for the IWC Filmmaker Bursary Award in association with the BFI. With a prize fund of GBP 50,000, the most significant bursary of its kind in the UK film industry, the bursary is designed to give an emerging UK filmmaker the gift of time – a crucial element in the creative process.

Supporting talent at the beginning of their career, the bursary aims to offer the winner financial stability, allowing them to focus on future projects without the pressure of deadlines or the distraction of taking paid work – a precious and extremely rare opportunity for a filmmaker.

BFI statistics state that £1.6 billion was spent in the UK in 2016 on feature films, however a vast majority of the funding went on just a handful of productions. Support through the IWC Filmmaker Award Bursary and the BFI are therefore essential, honouring emerging talents.

A panel of senior industry figures selected the shortlist of filmmakers:

RUNGANO NYONIY

Rungano Nyoni is a self-taught Writer/Director, born in Zambia and grew up in Wales. She has been chosen as a finalist for her film ‘I AM NOT A WITCH’.

DANIEL KOKOTAJLO

Daniel Kokotajlo, self-taught Writer/Director, born and raised by a Ukranian-Italian family in Manchester. He has been chosen as a finalist for his film ‘APOSTASY’.

MICHAEL PEARCE

Michael Pearce is a self-taught Writer/Director, born and raised in Jersey. He has been chosen as a finalist for his film ‘BEAST’.

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