Sky links with Apex to launch $625k short-form documentary program

Poppy Dixon

Sky has launched its first documentary shorts fund, which will offer £500,000 ($625,000) to fund programming from underrepresented communities.

The scheme, which is a partnership between Sky Documentaries and APX Content Ventures (part of French ad and PR firm Publicis Media), will provide funding for “several documentary shorts” that have a runtime of 10-30 minutes.

The initiative will support creative talent from underrepresented minorities who face barriers to opportunities due to physical and mental health or disability, and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic or traveller communities.

The program aims to spotlight UK filmmaking talent and help to provide “a clear and accessible pathway” for emerging directors interested creating longer form content.

Sky said entries should be “artistically ambitious” and could range from “a reflection on major global events that resonate universally or inspired by something altogether different and extraordinary.”

Poppy Dixon, director of documentaries and Factual, said: “We want to meet talent we don’t yet know and hear creatively ambitious ideas, so please get in touch.”

APX Content Ventures describes itself as a “distinct next-generation trading entity within Publicis Media that identifies and invests in emerging market trends to benefit Publicis clients.” It has invested in the docs initiative, which includes covering the costs associated with production process for the successful candidates.

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