The Film and TV Charity has announced the launch of the Sir Horace Ové Grant to help “Black and Global Majority people working behind the scenes in film, TV, and cinema to access opportunity and navigate barriers to career progression.”
The launch of the new grant follows the Charity’s commitment, made in May 2021, to ensure that 30 per cent of all grants budgets are allocated to Black and Global Majority applicants.
During the first financial year following that commitment, the Charity underspent by eight per cent (or circa £13,000) against its target. The Charity has topped up the amount available in the Sir Horace Ové Grant fund to a total of £50,000.
The maximum individual grant under the new scheme will be capped at £500 and grants will be awarded to support access to opportunities leading to paid work or to improving the chance of being offered paid work. The scope of the grants cover contributions towards child or adult care, travel costs, equipment upgrades, membership of or subscriptions to professional bodies, short vocational and professional development courses.
Applicants will be asked to provide an impact statement detailing how the grant will support them in their career, alongside proof of eligibility and costs. Full eligibility requirements will be made available on the Charity’s website in advance of the grant funds’ launch at the end of November 2022.
The new fund has been named in honour of Sir Horace Ové CBE, who was knighted in the 2022 New Year Honours List for services to media. Known as the godfather of Black British filmmaking, Sir Horace directed the first Black British feature film, Pressure, in 1976, as well as films, documentaries, and TV series such as Playing Away, A Hole In Babylon, and episodes of the long-running Play for Today.
Jon Creamer
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