Mediabox, the Department for Children, Schools and Families fund which offers 13-19 year olds the opportunity to develop and produce media projects has announced its new funding rounds for 2008/09.To date, Mediabox has funded 234 projects, giving out almost £4.5 million in funding.

Almost 7000 young people in England have benefited from the scheme.Grants of up to £40,000 will be available to youth and/or media focused organisations. This year, Mediabox is actively seeking proposals that include radio, print, interactive, digital media, photography, graphic novels or mixed media advertising campaigns.

ROUND 2
Online applications close August 19, 2pm

Screen Yorkshire is the regional partner of Mediabox in Yorkshire and Humber. For more information on funding and the application process please visit www.media-box.co.uk or contact jay@screenyorkshire.co.uk.

What’s the future of documentary? How can film makers and factual producers work with games developers, web and interaction designers to invent new formats for new media? What’s the reality of “360″, cross-platform development and commissioning?

Crossover Docs, which is supported by the BBC and Channel 4, is a unique five-day residential laboratory for experienced creative professionals from all sectors of the audio-visual industries. Held in a remote country retreat, the lab will explore new approaches to engaging audiences with factual stories and issues. It will generate innovative ideas for cross-platform projects which address big ideas and contemporary challenges including climate change and other scientific issues.

Crossover is directed by Frank Boyd and Heather Croall with leading mentors from the interactive and documentary industries. A number of commissioning editors, channel controllers and other buyers will visit during the week, to engage in the process and to hear the ideas that emerge from it. Commissioners attending in 2007 included the BBC, Channel 4, More 4, SBS, Al Jazeera and Current TV.

The lab is for people with previous credits in either interactive/new media or documentary/factual projects. We are looking for up to 24 participants from across the audio-visual and creative industries: producers, designers, developers, writers, animators.

If you’re interested in applying or finding out more apply go to www.crossoverlabs.org or contact info@crossoverlabs.org

Application deadline is 31 August 2008. The Lab will be held between 10 - 15 October 2008.

Crossover Docs is funded by Skillset, NESTA, London Development Agency, The Wellcome Trust and Screen Yorkshire.

Doc /Fest presents the UK’s biggest international documentary marketplace and its unique pitching initiative: MeetMarket where, in pre-scheduled match-made one-on-one meetings, documentary makers pitch their newest and most unique projects to dozens of UK and international buyers, Executive Producers, commissioning editors and distributors.

MeetMarket provides high quality, original ideas with the possibility to be fast-tracked from development to production, in a supportive and dynamic setting. The projected worth of sales in negotiation sparked at MeetMarket 2007 adds up to £4,321,980, and rising. MeetMarket is a unique and exciting way to pitch and discuss the projects you’re most passionate about with the documentary decision-makers who matter

Online project submissions are now open. Projects can be any stage of development and applicants can be from any geographic location and background. Interactive and cross-platform projects are also very welcome.

To see the full list of confirmed buyers, see http://www.sheffdocfest.com/view/buyerslist

For more information on applying, email charlie@sidf.co.uk

or visit http://www.sheffdocfest.com/view/meetmarket